Page 196 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

'1 92 WISCONSIN IIISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

MOSES 731. STRONG suggested that the Democrats should draw
party lines. I opposed it all I could, believing it to be wrong
while we remained under a Territorial organization. They
held a Convention and organized as a party. The Whigs were
compellcd to organize also, and held a Convention at Milwau-
kee. We had a great time, and among other things had an ox
roasted whole for our dinner. Thenceforward party lines were
generally drawn.
Near this time, the people of Green Bay called a meeting to
nominate candidates for the Legislature. We met at the
Astor IIouse at Green Bay. The Democrats were too smart
for the Whigs; they elected their chairman and secretary.
The Whigs then withdrew, and organized at another place.
Both parties appointed their committees to make nominations.
The Democratic committee waited on me, and desired me to
accept a nomination from their party as representative to the
Legislature. I declined receiving a nomination from either
party, as against the other; but I told them that if the people
wished me to represent them, that there must be a general
wish to that effect, independent of party, as I would not con-
sent to run ao a party man. The consequence was, that both
parties nominated me; I was elected, and served two years
longer in the Legislaturc-thus serving the first seven sessions
of the Territorial Legislature, commencing in 1836, and ending
with the August session of 1840. At the next session, I waa
elected sergeant-at-arms of the Council, and was present when
R.
JAMES VINEYARD, member of the Council from Grant
8
county, deliberately killed CHARLES C. P. ARNDT, a member
of the Council finom Brown county--killed in cold blood in the
Council room; one of the most foul and cold-hearted murder0
I ever heard of. Both VINEYARD and ARNDT were great
friends of mine, and of each other, up to the time of the
murder. VINEYARD had boarded in the family of Judge
ARNDT, the father of his victim, during the winter of 1835-36
and was treated with all the kindness as if one of the family.