The Mitchell capital., January 01, 1886, Image 1

About The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918

Image provided by: South Dakota State Historical Society – State Archives

                
ME YN.
subscription Rates.
~ie year, in advanco sz.oo
(months. 1.00
«omonths
GO
..Jtli all the lealing publications in
at the lowest clul prices.
jlbers wishing their address changed
their former as well as their new
bdence should be at the olfico as early
To Advertisers.
Jg rates given on application, and
|kd reasonably low.
ds, not exceeding six lines, $6.00
.a additional line, 91.00
cals, Ten Cents per line for the
B, and Five cents per line for each
Jisertion.
fertisuments at Statute Rates.
tyiulis, Ten Cents per line.
'nd Death Notices published free of
diaries, Resolutions of Respect and
jSents, Five Cents per line.
ISINESS CARDS.
INSOR & MENTZER.
ii'S, AT LAW. Rooms 1, 2 and 3
Block, Mitchell, Dakota.
J. WATERHOUSE,
AT LAW. Will practice before
ibrlal Courts. Mitchell. Dakota.
NELSON. FITCH,
AND COUNSELOR. Legitimate
~iss and Collections a Specialty.
Black,
R.D.MARTIN,
AND COUNSELOR AT LAW.
Mice in all Territorial Courts and
$8. Land Office. Contested
Claims
ed Entries a specialty. Office oppo
e, Mitchell, Dakota.
gRLES WINCHESTER,
fAT LAW and Land Agent. Loans
Contests a specialty. Forcst-
IEDWARD DEVY,
ATE AND LOANS. Contests, Sus
tnries and Important Cases before
Bee a specialty. Mitchell Dakota.
IXON & PRESTON.
KB. AND COUNSELORS AT LAW,
and 3, First National Bank Build
SDakotii.
E. HITCHCOCK.
B! AND COUNSELOR,
Mitchell, Dakota
J. N. CROW,
K"AT LAW. Real estate and loan
(^Practice before the U. S. Land
Ifcourts of Dakota. Mitclicll, D. T.
1. V. PARMELEE,
tHIC PHYSICIAN AND SUR
Ifflioe over Bank of Dakota. Gener
peclalty. Nightcalis attended from
ell,Dakota.
i. B. BRACY, M. D.
AND SURGEON. Chronic and
Iteeases a specialty on Saturdays,
"rom 10 to 12 a. in. from 2 to 5 and
m. Office on Main street, over
Store Mitchell Dakota.
|R. J. L. ROBERTS.
Operative and Mechanics Dentist.
atolllce, Mitchell, Dakota.
|H. DANIELS, Nl. D.,
urs 10 a. m. to 12 m.: from 2 to 4 p.m.
ir Blakesley's Boot and Shoe Store,
kota.
F. DUNDAS, Nl. D.,
"I AND SURGEON. OillceatGale'i
e. Residence hi, tiio Dr. Tatman
vMalftStPSet.
S. J. MOORE,
All work warranted. Office In
Block Mitchcli, Dakota.
IACY & HALVERSON.
and Surgeons, Office and residence
1 Bros.' store. Mitchell D. T.
OHN TATMAN, M. D.
and Surgeon. Office in new Letcher
^MRS. DR. TATMAN
5 free Examinations and Lectures on
Diseases to all ladies, every Friday
nan's office, Letcher Block,
tNCHARD & HANNETT,
TSYS AT LAW, Real Estate and In
5 Agents. Will practice before the U.
Office and all courts of Dakota. Sol
us for pension, bounty and discharges
I. Loans negotiated. Office two doors
lie Bank of Mitchell, up stairs.
ri!-LJA^m National Bank
ng, Mitchell, Dakota.
I. WINOLE, M. D.,
ail Street, above Fourth. Residence
"lid Sanborn Streets.
B. KIMBALL & CO.,
rs in Hard & Soft Coal.
f?ard Just west of the Depot.
:k just stored of l'itsbure, Indiana
lis Lump, Iowa Lump and Nut Coal,
.'lvania Hard Coal always in stock,
coal promptly lllled.
rEO. IP. IDIX
I Sooms—Hitthell, Dakota.
Uy solicits the patronage of parties
~g first cla88 work.
Respectfully
ill former patrons aud to the business
*city.
(for th & painless eztraction of
manufactured daily.
floe in Hitchcock Block.
[.J.BINGHAM,
IITECT AND SURVEYOR.
^surveys and locating extinct comers
—tording to the latest goveriiment
instructions a specialty.
tell Dakota.
W7O ROOMS.
Mitchell House,
H. SHAW, Proprietor.
iell, Dakota.
BARBER SHOP.
CHAS. PRIEST, Prop.
Cutting, Hair Dressing, Coloring, Shav
bampooinff in the best stylo, lluzors
md kept in order. Shop on Main street
3 St. Jauies Hotel. 50
1 JAS. LESLIt,
"jmufacturer and Repairer of
OTS
AND
SHOES,
TOHELL. DAKOTA.
T'
tl
SURGEO^ DENTIST,
MITCHELL DAKOTA
Dentistry in all its branches,
Gas administered and teeth extract
positively without pain, the most
sensitive teeth filled without the slight
est pain.
8
I am now doing my own plate work,
and am prepared to furnish teeth on
short notice.
I have no Cheap John stock, but I
do keep the best material and will do
the best work at the lowest rates in
Dakota.
All work warranted and every one
shall be rightly dealt by.
The best city reference office open
day and evening. Call at First Nation
al Bank Block over Champeny's Dry
Goods Store.
South Side Market!
GEO. HURLEY, Prop.
Fresh & Salt Meats, Poultry, etc.
CASH PAID STOCK
OF ALL KINDS. ...J'll
1
1
Customers will be Served with the Best
and Satisfaction Guaranteed.
15tf
Hillard & Martin.
BRICK YARD.
We liaue now on liand 150,000 brick of excel
lent quality. On the first ot April, we will have
in operation new mocliinery for the manufacture
of
Briok. Til©,
Will contract to furnish first class brick ir.any
quantity and tile in large quantities only.
Yards miles east of Mitchell.
0. 0. STANCHFIELD
Law, Land and Real Estate.
Money loaned on real estate. Deeded lands
aud town property bought and sold. Business,
before TJ. S. Land office given special attention.
Office opposite Postofilce,
Miteliell, Dakota. Sfi
F. C. HOFFMAN.
Real Estate and Loans.
Deeded Lands For Sale.
Practice Before U.S. Land Office.
Office in U. S. Land Office Building, up stairs,
MITCHELL. DAKOTA.
MITCHELL PACKING HOUSE.
Under aNew Firm.
We take pleasure in informing the
farmers that we have bought out the
business of the late firm, and will be
prepared to buy your hogs at the high
est market price, about the first week
in November.
Bring in Tour Hogs Alive.
WM. II. BAKER & CO.
JOHN LESLIE.
Dealer in
Vegetable, Flower &
Field Seeds.
Flour Sc Feed.
South Main St.
Mitchell Dakota.
W
ABBEY,
Land and Collection Agent.
Does a General Land and Col
lection Business.
Mitchell Dakota.
MITCHELL STEAM
Planing and Feed Mills,
J. C. BOTH Is SON, Props.
RE-SAWING
BRACKETS A.WING,
WOOD TURNING,
STAIR WORK.
Corn Meal, Graham and Feed.
Grain Taken in Exchange
or Paid for in Cash.
0RMSBY, CLUTE & CO.
BANKERS,
Western Farm Mortg. Brokers,
Mitchell, Dak-
Tarnsact a general bunking business, liny
ami sell foreign aiul domestic exchange. Pass
age tickets to and from Europe 011 sale- l'ay in
terest on time deposits.
CONNECTIONS.
Ormsby, Clute & Co.,
Einmetsburg, Iowa.
Ormsbv, Graves &Cu.
Uurou, Dakota.
DAKOTA'S RIGHTS.
WHO ARE THE REVOLUTIONISTS IN
THE PRESENT CRISIS!
The Able Add resit of Senator-Elect Eds
erton at His Reception.
The following is the full text of
the address by Hon. A. J. Edgerton,
on the occasion of his reception in
Mitchell, December 23rd:
It is with feelings of profound pride
that I witness this grand assemblage
of earnest men and women who have
met here to-night to greet me on ac
count of the cause which I in part have
the honor to represent.
It is an omen of good, an assurance
that sustains and buoys me up under
the grave responsibilities which I in
part have assumed.
A crisis is upon us as a people. Our
cause is the cause of good government,
and the cause of our enemies that of
wrong and revolution to the land
marks of the past and the traditions of
the founders of the Republic.
Never till now have men openly pro
claimed that a new state was to be de
nied admission into the Union because
the people differed in politics from the
majority of either House. It has been
the uniform history of this country un
til it has become a part of our common
law that when a territory has sufficient
population, sufficient wealth, sufficient
experience, sufficient patriotism and
intelligence that she is to be admitted
into the Union. No one disputes but
Dakota possesses all of these qualifica
tions. Yet in our case this guarantee
of past history, this common law of
the land is set at defiance, and by whom
and for what? By men who proclaim
us as revolutionists because we claim
the rights always vouchsafed hereto
fore to the territories. Webster defines
revolution as In politics a material
or entire change in the constitution of
government." Who proposes to change
from the past action of the country
which has become a part of the un
written landV We, or our accusers? I
will let the unprejudiced student of
history answer.
In the Constitutional Convention
which framed our Constitution this
amendment was proposed to the bill
of rights: "All political power is in
herent in the people and all true gov
ernment is founded on their authority
and is instituted for their equal protec
tion and benefit, and they have the
right at all times to alter, reform or
abolish their form of government in
such manner as they may think pro
per." Although the proposed amend
ment was copied from some older state
constitutions, yet the majority of that
convention thought its enactment un
wise under the circumstances, and
might provoke the assaults of our ene
mies, consequently it was rejected, and
the following inserted in lieu thereof:
"All political power is inherent in
the people and all free government is
founded on their authority, and it is in
stituted for their equal protection and
benefit and they have the right in law
ful and constituted methods to alter or
reform their forms of government in
such manner as they may think proper.
And the State of Dakota is an insepar
able part of the American Union, and
the Constitution of the United States is
the supreme law of the land."
Was there anything revolutionary in
that?
Again the committee on schedulehad
left it in doubt as to when the complete
machinery of government might be set
in motion, and upon, the attention of
the convention being called to that
fact, Mr. Haines, a distinguished dele
gate, from Turner county, and a pres
ent state
senator, introduced the
follow
ing as an additional section,which after
a vigorous discussion, was passed by an
overwhelming majority:
Nothing in the Constitution or Sche
dule contained shall be construed to
authorize the legislature to exercise
any powers except such as are necessa
ry to its organization, toe lect United
States Senators, to provide and pass
means and measures necessary, prelim
inary and incident to admission to the
Union, and to assemble and re-assemble
and adjourn from time to time neither
to authorize any office of the executive
or administrative departments to exer
cise any power of his office except such
as may be preliminary and incident to
admission to the Union, nor to au
thorize any officer of the judiciary de
partment to exercise any ot the'duties
ot his office until the State of Dakota
shall have been regularly admitted into
the Union, except such as may be
authorized by the Congress ot the
United States."
Was there anything revolutionary in
that?
In obedience to that constitution so
limited the legislature convened, and
in strict accordance with such limita
tions elected its senators, then ad
journed to await the
action of Congress.
Was that revolutionary?
Gen. Logan, in the United States
Senate, last Friday pertinently in
quired if it was revolutionary tor the
citizens ot a territory to get together
and present their claims to be admitted
as a state, they taking care to provide
in their new constitution that they
should not be a state until Congress
lY\
MITCHELL DAKOTA, FRIDAY, JANUARY
should approve their constitution. He
thought It unfair for senators to regard
the action- iri Dakota as revolutionary.
Until they should set up as a state and
undertake to perform the functions of
a state, and the powers of statehood,
they were not revolutionists.
When that grand old historic man
who had occupied the most prominent
office in this country became a member
of Congress from the Plymouth Dis
trict in Massachusetts, and thought it
his duty from time to time to present
the petitions to Congress sent to him,
his enemies called such acts revolution
ary.
There never was a grander petition
formulated than Dakota's in the shape
of a constitution now sent to the Con
gress of the United States, and yet we
are called revolutionists.
Men who call such acts revolutionary
will soon awake, like Rip Van Winkle,
and find that the people are no longer
shouting God bless King George the
in."
The school master, thank God, has
been abroad during the pasttwenty-five
years.
Indiana was admitted in 1816, with
an area of 33,8061 square miles, and a
population of about 100,000, after being
a territory 7 years*
Illinois was admitted in 1818, with an
area of 54,410 square miles, a population
of 35,220, after being a Territory 9
years.
Missouri was admitted in 1821, with
an area of 65,350 square miles, a popula
tion of 66,557, afterieing a Territory 16
years. ,1
Tennessee was admitted in 1796, with
an area of 41,000 square miles, a popu
lation of less than 160,000, after being a
Territory 7 years.
Wisconsin was admitted in 1848, with
an area of 53,924 square miles, a popu
lation of almost 160,000, after being a
Territory 12 years.
Minnesota was admitted in 1858, with
an area of 83,000 square miles, a popula
tion of about 145,000, after being a Ter
tory 9 years.
These statistics may not be absolute
ly accurate, but are nearly so.
The proposed state of Dakota has
within her boundaries as defined by the
Constitution framed at Sioux Falls,
80,207 square miles and is larger than
Tennessee and Kentucky combined
larger than Ohio and Indiana combin
ed, all noble states and each large
enough.
The proposed state of Dakota has a
population as determined by the last
census of 263,465, more than any terri
tory ever had when admitted into the
Union. More than Illinois, Missouri,
Arkansas and Mississippi altogether
had at the time of their admission.
More than each of four states now has.
Our proposed state has to-day more
free schools, more colleges, more state
institutions than any territory ever
had before.
Dakota has been a Territory over 23
years.
Are we revolutionists for asking ad
mission, or are our accusers seeking to
change Materially the rules and laws
applicable to the admission of new
states and proposing to keep us out of
the Union for no valid reason simply
because they have the power?"
Let the unprejudiced examine the
record. No territory was ever admitt
ed into the Union that had served so
long as a territory, that had the wealth
or paid the taxes, or has the population
Dakota has.
When the Northwest territory was
added to the Union, prior to the Con
stitution, in the compact. there was a
condition that out of this Territory
there should be carved not less than
three nor more than five states. The
Northwest Territory embraced about
240,000 square jmiles consequently
according to the express terms of that
compact, binding upon us as sacredly
as the Constitution of the United
States, there was an agreement that
these 240,000 square miles should
form not less than three nor more than
five states. In other words the states
were to be in the agregate not much
less than 50,000 square miles in size nor
more than 80,000.
Congress chose to make five states of
this Northwest Territory averaging
50,000 square miles each. Congress
has in express terms from time to time
extended to all the additional
territories of the United States the
benefits of that compact.
It Congress has extended to us the
benefits of the ordinance of 1787 what
are they:
First:—That there shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude
within our borders otherwise than for
the punishment of crime whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted,
Second:—That our state shall have
an area not greatly exceeding 80,000
square miles nor less than 50,000.
Third:—That we shall be entitled to
admission when our population reaches
60,000.
In the face of all these facts they
call us revolutionists. Who are our
accusers? I will not answer that
question but leave it to an impartial
world. Whom do these men accuse of
disloyalty In no state or territory of
the Union are there more Union sol
diers in proportion to the population
than in Dakota. In the Constitutional
Convention which framed our organic
law and in the present legislature are
W-:-C. y'Wj?
1
/viHt
there many indelible evidences of
loyalty to government in the scars and
armless sleeves.
Is this the reason why we are brand
ed as revolutionists and taunted with
disloyalty?
It has been my fortune to have wit
nessed many distinguished bodies of
representatives but I have never seen
a body of men characterized by a high
er loyalty to the Union and in the main
characterized by more intelligence than
the Sioux Falls Convention and
the present Legislature.
Men came there from all the
walks of life. The lawyer
left his brief to attend. The clergy
man his pulpit. The farmer his
plow. The mechanic his shop.
The merchant his storehouse. The
banker his ledger. The editor his
press. And the college president his
classes.
Our people will never be classed with
revolutionists by thoughtful and truth
ful men. Too many of our citizens
paid a high price to save the country
from the hands of revolutionists. No
sir and if the time ever comes again
when foreign or domestic foes seek to
destroy the Republic, no state will
respond more freely to the call of their
country, and no men will keep truer
step to the music of the Union than
Dakotans.
Like the Roman Republic by wise
legislation in the free gifts of lands,
the disbanded Union army was quite
largely distributed in this proviuce
and have become citizens and hus
bandmen here without forgetting the
lessons of the past.
Of such men you can never make
revolutionists any more than you can
of Logan and Ilawley, of Bragg and
Slocum.
Some one asks why we are so anx
ious for admission If a people that
have fulfilled all the conditions of ter
ritorial tutelage, who have the wealth,
the numbers and the intelligence en
titling them to emancipation should
willingly and uncomplianingly remain
in that inferior condition, it would be
an evidence of their incapacity for
emancipation and self-government, and
be a cause of serious apprehension
with patriotic statesmen in other
states.
And I maintain that the founders of
the republic never contemplated the
possibility that a territory should re
main long in that Condition. It is sub
versive of the true principles of this
government. Large, populous, wealthy
and dependent provinces are alike
dangerous to the governed and the
governing.
I appeal to the people of the older
states and especially to those two
great states which furnished the Presi
dent and the late Vice President of the
Union. I appeal to the grand empire
state from which so many of us imi
grated in our young manhood, to do
us justice I appeal to the chivalric
state of Indiana which has sent to the
Territory so many of her sons and her
daughters.
In fine, I appeal to the good and loyal
men from every state no matter what
their past or present political affilica
tions may be to do us justice, to pre
serve the land marks of the govern
ment.
I am not unmindful of the opposi
tion which the admission of Dakota
will meet in Congress. The older
states are beginning to look with ap
prehension on the rapid development of
the west for two reasons. First, be
cause the admission of new states de
creases the power and importance of
the older ones and again the emigra
tion to the west is taking much of the
best and energetic blood of the east
away to new fields of enterprise.
There are other causes for opposi
tion, some of which will be admitted
and others evaded.
One is that probably our state will
be Republican in politics. A reason
that no patriot will or can assign, from
the fact that when men oppose our ad
mission on such grounds it must be
conceded to be revolutionary and
destructive to good government.
Another cause assigned is that the
presentation of our claims to Congress
in the mode we have adopted is revo
lutionary.
Possibly the very men who make
this charge are disappointed and
chagrined that our methods have been
so conservative and moderate. It is
possible that such men desired some
revolutionary acts upon our part that
would divert the attention ot good
men from their past record and post
pone if not absolutely defeat our ad
mission by disarming our friends and
arming our toes.
The Constitution of the United States
provides that Congress may admit new
states but there is no law as to the
mode or manner in which the
application shall be made and the rule
has been different. In some cases the
territory has made the application
as
Ave
have, in other cases and perhaps
the majority of cases Congress has in
itiated the proceedings.
Both methods have precedents and
no lawyer who has any pride his
reputation as a lawyer will say that
the course ptrsued by Dakota is
without good precedent or is in viola
tion of law.
Never was a nobler cause committed
to the
trust of advocate than Dakota
7 'lilsSsSSIIlillS^
now entrusts to her representatives
authorized to present her claims to the
Congress of the United States.
You ask what are the chances of
success. My answer is our success is
certain just in proportion to the pre
ponderance of justice and right to in
justice and wrong in the men and tri
bunal who will determine our cause.
I have great confidence in the man
who now presides over the the coun
cils of the nation. I believe that when
President Cleveland examines the claims
of Dakota he will decide the case as
a statesman who is the ruler of a great
nation and not the deputy of a faction
who seek to subvert the indisputable
landmarks of our history. I believe that
Mr. Cleveland will determine our cause
as an impartial judge in accordance
with the law and the facts, and by so
doing endear himself still more to the
impartial citizens of the whole Repub
lic. But if I am mistaken in this and
the President is determined to evade
the question and refer the whole
matter to Congress, I still shall hope
for the best. There are many noble men
in each House, from the North and the
South alike, Republicans and Demo
crats. I believe when they fully under
stand our cause, and are satisfied that
we are not revolutionists, that we shall
have the support of even South Caroli
na. I confidently expect when they
know the truth that even Gen. Butler
and Gov. Hampton will support our
cause. They do not understand it.
I confidently believe that many good
men from the South, when correctly in
formed of the facts, will be supporters
of the admission of Dakota. I shall ex
pect substantial aid from Missouri, for
no state can or ought to be interested
in the development of the Missouri
Valley more than that great state, and
no city is so deeply interested in our
growth as St. Louis. The time will
come in the near future when repre
sentatives from Missouri will be our
most active allies.
I am asked that if Congress refuses
then what? An appeal to the court of
last resort,the people. There are enough
close districts in the United States
where a few just men next fall will de
termine who shall represent them in
Congress, men who will not be parties
to a great wrong to a great people.
Some aggressive Dakotan asks me
if all these fail, what then? I shall not
attempt to draw the veil between his
and that almost impossible condition
of things—when the ruler of a great
people and the Congress of the United
States, and the people of the United
States have each and all perpetrated a
great wrong.
Such a condition of things anil such
a result is well nigh inconceivable.
No, fellow citizens, it can not be. I
have that confidence which assures me
that:
Hight will come uppermost,
and justice shall be done,"
DAKOTA'S CASE.
TV hat the Press of the Country Says of It.
Philadelphia Call: No one but the most
violent partisan doubts the justice of Da
kota's claim to statehood, aud therefore
such an abuse ol' authority is to be doub
ly deplored.
Pittsburg Dispatch: We believe that
democratic insisiuncv in this matter and
a refusal to sraot tlie just claims of the
people of Dakota will lie found to be a
pretty costly experience for that party.
New York Hferald: The people of Ihi
kota want their territory made into a
state, and there seems to be no good re a
son for refusing them. They Imye fram
ed and udooted constitution, as tliey
hud a r-glit to do, and now offer it for the
adoption of congress.
Sioux City Journal: So far as the truth
and justice of the case is coucerned, Da
kota has nothing whateyer to fear, and in
fact asks nothing but that its claims be
measured by truth and justice But what
Dakota lly has to fear is a thiuij called
the Democratic caucus 111 the National
House ot Representatives.
Washington National Republican: Del
egate Gifford of Dakota, cites thirteen
States which, when in their Territorial
condition, were guilty of the saine "con
structive treason" that Dakota is charged
with, Some of these States, or Territo
lies, were even more thoroughly steeped
in "constructive treason" than Dakota is
or proposes to be.
Washington Republican: In making
such preparation as they have made to
come into the Union the people of Dako
ta have not violated any law, fundamen
tal or statutory. Denial of abmission to
Dakota would be simply an outrage on a
great, intelligent and progressive commu
nity. io party can afford to oppose
Dakota's admission, but the democracy
has done muny things that it could not
afford.
KILLED BY THE CARS.
A S!,rair,'«r Crushed to Death at Woon
*ucket.
WOONSOCKET,
Dec. 23.—A stranger was
instantly killed here this morninp, while
trying to board a morning train, at the
depot platforci. One of the wheels of the
baggage car passed oyer his body. No
bo.ly here knows him. Papers indicate
that his name is Lang, from Iowa, though
now employed by a Fargo undertaking
firm. Means are being taken to (jet word
from his friends. Meantime the body iB
being cared for here, at the depot.
-.mj
Eh:*.'
NUMBER 17.
HOW MICHIGAN GOT Of,
A Brief History of the CircnmgtiuiMs
Surrounding the Admission or
.4 Michigan, ?'j$i
4
Detroit Free Press: The adoption of
a state constitution, the formation of a
state government and the election of
United States senators by the Territory
of Dakota before its statehood has been
acknowledged has created considerable
discussion not more, however, than
did a similar deifland by the Territory
of Michigan for admission to the
Union. The contest in congress was
unusually obstinate, one debate running
for twenty-five consecutive hours. This
was partly due to the application of
Arkansas for admission at the same
time, both sides insisting that the ad
mission of a slave state should be bal-
and could have none until congress ad
Commissioner Sparks Opens
1
anced by the admission of a free state,
or the reverse. The convention to erect
all the territory east of Lake Michigan
into a state met in Detroit, April, 18%.
A rational constitution compared with
the later one of 1850 was adopted, and
by the people ratified in October. In
November Stevens T. Mason was elect
ed governor and Edward Mundy lieu
tenant governor courts wereorganized
and the legislature at its meeting chose
Lucius Lyon and John Norvell United
States Senators. President Jackson,
who was not much in favor of the ad
mission of the state, removed Mason
from the secretaryship of the territory
and appointed Mr. Horner, of Virginia,
to that position, with, orders not to recr' iSnV
ognize the alleged state officers. Buf
the people refused to recognize him,
and at a meeting in Detroit requested
him to leave, which he did afterward.
If Michigan was a'
state, it was a state
out of the Union had no legal status.
vv-
1
mitted it. Arkansas was finally admit
ed unconditionally Michigan on con
dition that her people would ratify the
Ohio boundary—about which there
had been some talk of war—and accept
in place of the territory thus given up
the upper peninsula with its mines of
copper and iron, then undiscovered. It
was on the eve of a presidential elec
tion, and neither party wanted to offend
the comparatively powerful states of
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois by acknowl-•
edging Michigan's strong claims to a
more southerly boundary than she
finally got. A state convention at Ann
Arbor in September, 1836, rejected this
condition, bnt another convention,
called there in October by a few promi
nent citizens of Wayne county, ratified
the action of congress. It was called
the frost-bitten convention, because 'Vp
its members were composed entirely
those in favor of accepting the condi- '-t S
tions laid down by congress. There was'
some opposition in congress to accept
ing this as the act of the people of
Michigan, but on January 26,1837, cun-^p
gress admitted the state by recognizing"/ 4
the convention as elected by the peo-/,1,'"
pie for the sole impose of giving t^ri:',
assent." When thus admitted the e.\-" "i!"'
istence of the state was recognized us
beginning November, 1835, or moiUiau',,^
two years previous.
m'
U'ASHlWrOH NOTKV
ifl-:
Sr
Up In
a
New JMrecUtm.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—Commission-
er Sparks of the General Land Office,
has written a letter to a law firm in
Kansas in which he discusses the con
tents of a circular purporting to have
been issued by the parties addressed.
The Commissioner says of the circular
that: "It contains false and mislead
ing statements in reference to the
tights of soldiers of the late war to
public land and allows the alleged
authors of the circular thirty days in
which to make au explanation, failing
in which they will be debarred from
practice beiore the Department.
:Yinong the statements in the circu-rf^
iar to which the Commissioner takes ex
ception are: "The government owes
each soldier and sailor a farm ol 160
acres." This says che Commissioner, is
1 statement that the soldiers and
sailors ol the late war as such are
entitled to 160 acres, which is not
true. "The widows and orphans of
deceased soldiers aud sailors can make
entries and secure 160 acres of choice
lands without residence." The Com
missioner considers this assertion mis
leading.
THE NEW YEARS FROGKAMME.
The official programme for the Presi
dent's reception on New Years day
does not differ from that of former
years. The President will be assisted
by Miss Cleveland and the ladies of the
Cabinet. Miss Cleveland's new weekly
ception Saturday afternoon reception
from three till five o'clock will begin
Saturday January 9th-and continue
through the season.
MRS. GRANT'S PENSION. ij$i
5
The President has approved the bills
granting a pension to Mrs. Grant, and
removing the political disabilities of
General Lawton of Georgia. sw®
REMOVING TILE MOURNING.
The thirty days mourning tor the
late Vice-President Hendricks have ex
pired and the departments and other
public buildings were divested of their
mourning drapmgs. The hook and
ladder force was required to remove
the black cloth from the tall pillars of
the White House portico. IK'Jfft jjj?
.-'V
ISfti
if