USA > Iowa > Jackson County > Annals of Jackson county, Iowa, Vol 1-6 > Part 62
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"And sir, I now wish to present to you, as the chief executive of the state and the representative of her people, this monument to the memory of her first governor, for dedication."
"Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light ; Protect us by thy might, Great God above."
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HON. J. W. ELLIS, Father of the Briggs Monument Bill.
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Address by Gov. B. F. Carroll.
I assure you that it is with a great deal of pleasure and gratification that I come among you today under these circumstances. I am confident that if all the people of this great state of Iowa could be present with us today to witness your exercises and to view this beautiful monument - that you are dedicating, that you would receive not only a word of approbation from me but from the great people of a great state. The marvel is, to me, that you have been able to erect so beautiful a monument with the appro- priation that has been made. The great state of Iowa can well afford to thus honor its distinguished dead. You nor I will miss its significant cost. I feel that I am highly honored in being permitted to come to these dedication exercises, and to do honor to the memory of the first governor of our state. I am delighted also that we are honored by the presence here of one of the grandest men, one of the greatest governors the state of Iowa has ever had-Governor Larrabee.
I am glad because of the erection of this monument of granite. I have wondered long why the state of Iowa has waited so long to do fitting honor to the memory of Governor Briggs by bringing his remains from their rest- ing place in Omaha to the state over which he resided, to the place he made his home, there to rest throughout the ages. But many things came to us slowly. The state of Iowa has had her problems, her trials and her per- plexities. And now the paltry sum of one thousand dollars has brought back to Iowa and to Andrew the remains of one of our most honored citi- zens. Your representative, Mr. Ellis, deserves great credit for securing the passage of his bill for that appropriation. I have signed many bills, but I can remember no bill the signing of which has given me greater pleasure than did the approving of this bill. I trust too that the time may soon come when we shall have at our Capital in Des Moines, a sort of Hall of Fame much the same as they have in Washington, where the portraits of our distinguished sons may help to perpetuate their memory.
But the beautiful monument means little to me and to you. It sim- ply marks the resting place of the distinguished dead. It is fitting, but, my friends his real monument is the great state of Iowa itself-built upon, a foundation he worked to lay. A state is more than railroads, telephones ; modern methods and facilities, more than great fields of ripening crops of untold wealth, it is principle, sturdy loyalty, love of liberty and institu- tions, justice, right. In the laying of the foundation of our now great state, its first governor, Ansel Briggs, had much to do. Think what change has occurred in less than two-thirds of a century. He fought for the education and betterment of Iowa's people. Today we have seventeen great state institutions. They are good, but we want them better. We want the best, and we will have the best. We have the best people-I have no hesitation in saying that we have the best people in the world, best in education, in intelligence. Why, when only one state outstrips us in literacy, wh except the one when we are so near the top? Governor
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Briggs did much for the common school system in Iowa. He did much in other ways. He has left to you and to me a heritage that cannot be chisel- ed in stone, but only on the tablets of the hearts of men.
In sixty-three years what a change! The state of Iowa during his ad- ministration embraced only twenty-seven counties. And now there are ninety-nine. The total valuation of the state, for taxable purposes at that time was only about eleven millions of dollars. I didn't have time to in- giure just what you would take for Jackson county, but I imagine you. wouldn't want to sell it for that. If you do, I should like to borrow the money and buy it. When Governor Briggs was chief executive there was not in Iowa a mile of railroad. No wonder that he fought to have the Des Moines river, and the Cedar, and the Skunk, and yes, the Ma- quoketa, made navigable! That was the only way to travel in those days, unless you took an ox-cart or went on foot. His were pioneer days. Gov. Briggs worked, too, for good roads, and he planned a highway from Keo- kuk to the Missouri river, by way of Des Moines. At that time the greater portion of the state was supposed to be uninhabitable. That then was "Iowa, Beautiful Land. "
We are proud of our great farms. In the time of Governor Briggs' ad- ministration the back issue was a great political question. He stumped the state, it is said, with the slogan-"No banks but Iowa soil, and that well tilled.''
They were a sturdy people in those days, and it is a great measure due to the spirit of 1846 all down the years to 1909, that has given us this great state They were burdensome times, and the more burdens yo throw onto a true man the better he comes up puritied and strengthened.
Here Governor Carroll digressed from his topic to tell of the trials of the men of the union in 1861 and 1865, and continuing with a splendid tribute to them he said:
But war is not necessary to try men's souls. We of today have our trials, and it takes as much courage, sometimes, to stand for the duties of everyday life as it does to bare vour bosom to the bullets of the enemy. Gov. Briggs was that kind of a man himself. He accomplished much. We are doing much, but there is yet much to be done. Governor Larrabee, this is a better state than it was when you were governor, and twenty-four years hence it will be incomparably better than it is today. You will farm better, your farms will raise better corn, more corn to the acre, than it is doing now. Your schools will be better, your methods, your facilities, all will be better. Don't say we will not. Get that pessimistic idea out of your head. It doesn't belong there.
The governor closed with a tribute to the work of the Jackson County Historical Society and a stronger one for Representative Ellis in his untir- ing efforts to secure the recognition of Iowa for Governor Briggs, that Iowa's first governor deserves.
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Points from Ex-Gov. Larrabee's Address.
Ex-Governor Wm. Larrabee was next introduced. The old governor has reached the four score mark but his vigor is that of the average well preserved man of sixty. The ex-governor dwelt on the remarkable foresight of Governor Briggs. The school system Briggs urged in his messages stands today, he was a pioneer in the normal school field, in scientific agri- culture and his conception of the need of transportation and to secure which end he urged the government to make land grants in furtherance of steam roads are evidences of his broad mind. It required a big man, a con- structive statesman to grasp the necessities set forth in these projects. Referring toflowa's greatness it was declared the state radiates greatness. It has it to spare. "There are 80, 000 Iowans in Nebraska ; 80,000 in Missouri and other states share in less proportion-missionaries of intelligence. More than this, Iowa produced nat onal characters and still is producing them. lowa is due to produce presidents. Virginia was first, then New York had a monopoly and Ohio seems now the most prolific in presidential timber but the drift is west and lowa is due." ( There were those in the audience who believed that the ex-governor had taken his cue from the facts behind the icy reception given President Taft at Des Moines on Mon- day. Larrabee is on record as refusing to be read out of the republican party even by the president on the tariff issue).
"Our educational facilities are unexcelled." declared Mr Larrabee, "but our education is far from complete. It must progress in one very vital articular. The greatest menace civilization has today is the saloon. It must be voted out of the state and the public must be educated to this point. It once was driven out but the legislature brought it back. But it will be voted upon again and it will have to go."
The speaker then took up national questions and deplored the power that corporate interests are exerting in national legislation. With a score of men in Wall street controlling the major portion of the country's enter- prises, a condition exists which must be remedied and remedied at once. "When you people, " declared Mr. Larrabee, "vote for a Wall street candi- date you vote for the abdication of the people's authority at Washing- ton."
It is not surprising that the west should begin to have some feeling against the east from the fact that we have so long paid t.ibute to the eastern power that controls national legislation. This great corporate power of a few rich men must be combatted by the people.
There was some things in the remar able address of ex-Governor Lar- rabee that may prove a wise prophecy. The governor displayed a courage which few younger men would lay claim to. But the governor has a right to talk. Twenty-four years ago when Mr. Larrabee first became governor of this state, the railroad interests which were then at the zenith of their power dominated the politics of the state. It seems not very long ago when we-all of us Democrats and Republicans alike-rode to the state conventions on free asses. That railroad corporations in this state
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are now subject to stricter and more just laws is largely due to the Larra- bee administration. And it is not strange that Mr. Larrabee objects to seeing that control frittered away by the national government. The ex- governor in discussing the recent attempt of the national administration to divide the powers of the inter-state commerce commission went so far as to mention President Taft by name and hold him up to censure.
With the recent Boston speech in which President Taft accused the late Gov. John G. Johnson of teaching sectionalisn between the East and West, Gov. Larrabee took issue. The ex-governor asserted flatly and with much warmth that Gov. Johnson was right and that Mr. Taft was wrong. It was contended in a general way that recent national legislation was operating to di criminate against the West and favor the East, and it was argued in a more specific way that the industrial property of the country largely owned in the East had been the recipient and beneficiary of favor- ing legislation.
Hon. Willlam Graham of Dubuque.
Nearly two generations have passed since the man, in whose memory Yonder shaft has been erected laid down the cares and insignia'of, office, and resumed his station among the common people of this commonwealth, and one generation has passed away from these busy scenes of life since he took up his abcde in the house appointed for all living. Very few are now, living who were citizens of lowa, when Ansel Briggs was its Gov- ernor. Very few, if any, survive who cast their ballots for him, for that exalted position, probably not one who have this day attended the un- veiling of the monument erected to his memory, and only a few who en- joyed personal acquaintance with him, or who can recall his personal characteristics.
I suppose that as I am one, who after his retirement from office, acted for him in a professional capacity, I am called upon to make a few remarks concerning the personality of the man to do honer to whose memory this concourse is called together. My acquaintance with him though extended over twenty years was not intimate, but I knew enough of him to re- spect his many virtues, and to admire his sturdy independence of charact- er, the integrity of his principles and the simplicity of his life. Ansel Briggs was not a great man. He never thought of being great. He never imagined that he was great. He was not one of those of whom the poet speaks when he wrote:
"The men of mind are mountains, and their heads Are sunned long ere the rest of earth."
Hle had no pride of intellect, no pride of position, or pride of purse. Hle was one whose highest aim was to discharge the duties that lay before him to the best of his ability for the best interest of those he served. He never sought for position or for power, but when position was conferred upon him, and power was placed in his hands he brought to the discharge of his duties a clear understanding, an honesty of purpose, and an integ- rity that nothing could swerve from what he conceived to be the right. The
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principles instilled in his mind in early years by the rigid old puritans of his native state bore their legitimate fruitage in his mature life among the f.ee surroundings and the clearer atmosphere of his western home. As was
HON. WILLIAM GRAHAM.
well said by him who delivered the memorial address it is the homely vit- tues of the man that we delight to dwell upon, and the people of Jackson county will recall more vividy and with keener pleasure the manner of luis
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llife among them as he pursued his avocation as mail carrier, stage line proprietor, merchant, editor and farmer, and the discharge of his duties as sheriff than his career as legislator, or as Chief Executive of the State. His acts as lawmaker, or as Governor they knew of only by report. His life in the other positions had been lived before their eyes, and while the leg- islation he supported or recommended gave satisfaction to his constitutents, and conferred lasting benefits upon the State, his life at home among his neighbor won for him their respect and affection.
If time allowed we might grow reminiscent and recall some of the trad- itions connected with his life illustrating his own humor, and those among whom he lived, of his attachment to his party and his zeal for its success or the jokes he perpetrated on otbers, and of those which recoiled on him- self. As for instance how in order to escape the solicitations of a certain Methodist preacher, he jocosely challenged the preacher to play a game of "Old Sledge" with him, the stakes being that if the Governor won he was to go free from further solicitations, but if the preacher won the contribu- tion should be double the amount asked, and of his astonishment at the prompt acceptance of his challenge by the preacher, and of his still greater astonishment a few minutes later at finding himself cleaned out by his cler- ical antagonist. I think the Governor would rather have paid five times the amount than to have the story told on him.
Governor Briggs was fortunate in his political associates and advisors. I had not been long in the State before hearing of the "Andrew Clique," meaning the political intimates of the former Governor, who were under- stood to have had a controlling interest in the politics of Iowa so far as the Democratic party was concerned. Though it had then passed into history by the departure of its most influential member to Minnesota in 1852, and the death of another in 1855. I never could learn the exact composition of this Junto, but there was beside the Governor, Dr. M. II. Clark, whom 1 have heard spoken of as the ablest and shrewdest politician of his time in lowa, and lowa at that time had some very able politicians (as she has had at all times since). Had he not removed to Minnesota when he did, Dr Clark would have been a po ver for many years afterward. There too was the Virginian, Judge Dyer, soon after appointed United States Dis- trict Judge of Iowa, and who is said to have first proposed the name of Governor Briggs in the convention which nominated him. And there was genial Phillip B. Bradley, an accomplished gentleman from Connecticut, who had been educated under the supervision of Dr. Nott, the famous preisdent of Union College, and whose whole after life was passed in the village of Andrew, where a politician he became as astute as his precep- tor. Whether the late Col. Wyckoff and Senators Green and Goodenow whose names will linger long in the annals of Jackson County, could be call- ed members of the "Andrew Clique" or not, I cantot say, but they were closely associated with those before named. It may excite some surprise that the messages and other documents issued from the Executive office in his day were drafted by one who had received only a common school educa- tion, but it is understood that the final polish was given by his private sec-
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retary, Frederick Bangs, a lawyer, and like the Governor himself a gradu- ate of the printing office.
It is a matter of congratulation that the good sense and the good taste of those in charge of the preparation of this memorial chose, not polished marble, nor somber bronze, but the enduring granite of his native state to commemorate the homely virtues and the sturdy manhood of the rugged first Governor of Iowa. This monument itself will fitly indicate to coming generations the character of the man. It is right and proper, and most befitting that the State of Iowa should in this manner acknowledge his ser- vices and commemorate his life. The state officials have well performed their part in this service, and it only remains for me on behalf of those who were in his life time the friends and associates of departed worth to Jay this chaple on his last resting place. Good neighbor, true citizen, a faithful officer, wise legislator, upright Executive, kind husband, loving father, good man, hail and farewell!
Address of State Senator J A. DeArmand of Scott County.
Fellow Citizens :-
I want to thank the committee of arrangements for this opportunity of adding my mite to this auspicious occasion, and of paying tardy justice to the memory of an Iowa pioneer and an Iowa Governor. It has been said of George Washington that he was first in war, first in peace and last to get a monument, but I am inclined to the opinion that Ansel R. Briggs can go the father of his country one better on the monument mat- ter. But all things come to him who will but wait, so the saying goes and all's well that ends well. We have met in this beautiful town in this grand old county today to dedicate this monument to the memory of Iowa's first Governor. I have been asked to say a few words regarding the effort that has been made in order that the dust of this old pioneer might be again placed in Iowa soil and the spot marked so that future generations might know that in our rush for place and power and glory we had not forgot those who laid the foundation of one of the greatest states in all the galaxy of states.
It has been my good fortune to be a member of two sessons of the Iowa legislature and during both of those the honored and able representatives of Jackson county labored in season and out with that never-give-up spirit to the end that this day might be more than a dream and a hope. But let it nct be forgotten that Iowa is a great state; the calls and demands upon her exchequer are numerous and varied. There is ever that fear of establishing a precedent and so it has happened that while admitting the justice of the claim and endorsing the worthy cause, the appropriation was withheld, and so session after session passed and new men went to the legislature and took up anew the battle with the final result, the fruition of long-cherished dreams.
It is not necessary for me to tell this audience of the faithful efforts of the men who guided the measure through both houses; of the final assault upon the appropriation committee, which with its care and discretion gulp-
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ed down at one swift swallow a bill for $100 000 to build a grand stand at the state fair grounds while Iowa's university, the pride and glory of us all, stands almost alone in the need of a womans' building among the universi- ties of the west. When we think of this we well may be proud of the work of Jackson county's members for their very enthusiasm bore fruit in creat- ing interest in others, and thus we have reason to be more endeared to our grand old state, even though this duty has been tardily performed.
I take it that no state or nation can be thoughtless of the memory of those w o give the best that is in them to make for posterity, greatness and renown. "The king is dead, long live the king" is the cry of the liver of the present, while memorable regard for the doers of noble deeds . estab- lishes a citizenship of highest and best courage and glory.
The man whose memory we commemorate today builded better than he knew for, from his wise and conscientious labors we today reap the harvest of a united, happy and prosperous people. May the lessons of this day and this occasion jostill in the hearts of all the people of our loved common- wealth the great truth that they who would live in the hearts and minds of the ages must forget self and remember that strict devotion to duty brings its reward, and in the fullness of time justice is done.
Senator Frudden of Dubuque Speaks.
Senator A. F. Frudden of Dubuque was introduced. The senator "told legislative secrets" regarding the secu ing of the passige of Mr. Ellis' bill for the Briggs' appropriation. He told how Mr. Ellis had camped on the trail of the measure-the first house bill introduced at the last legislative session-through the committee on appropriations, tow the minority report won over the opposition majo ity report on the floor, how he had followed the measure into the senate, through the committee rooms, how it had been taken ju hand by Senator Wilson of Clinton county, and how, after much buffeting on the legislative seas it emerged intact and how as the tin- al act it had been signed by the governor. "And I am informed," said Senator Frudden, "that Mr. Ellis stood over the governor and watched him place his signature on the bill and then demanded the pen with which it was written."
The senator stated that Jackson county always had a peculiar signifi- cance to him. It was in June, 1871, that as an immigrant lad of sixteen years he landed in Iowa. He was proud to be present at Andrew and have a part in the exercises. "It is meet and proper that the body of Ansel Briggs be returned to Iowa to be laid among those of the people who knew him and loved him"so well and in a community where so many tender mem- ories of him still exist. It is titting that Governor Briggs should be laid to rest amid the scenes where he achieved his greatest successes and be- nea'h a monument hewn from the granite hills of his native state, " said Mr. Frudden.
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Address by Rep Boettger of Davenport.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
I desire to thank the arrangement committee and Mr. Ellis for their kind invitation to be present today and pay homage which has been delayed so long to a man who so richly deserves it. I appreciate the invitation very much and I assure you it is a pleasure to be present among you to- day. My colleague Mr. Balluff has told you of the efforts of your worthy Representative Mr. Ellis and Senator Parshall. How, after the Commit- tee on appropriation had reported House File No. 1 for indefinite post- ponement it was resurrected and finally passed. Little do you my friends realize how closely House File was hovering to the waste basket. It is therefor all the more honor is due Mr. Ellis that he did not permit it to enter there and perich, for once in the basket there is no return. We may sing of the praises and stand here and tell you of his untiring efforts, but words and music cannot express whit Mr. Ellis endured until the bill so dear to him and you was finally signed by the Governor. You may and should be proud of the man whose untiring efforts made it possible for you and I to pay homage to our first Governor Ausel Briggs, and to have so qeautiful a monument erected which marks the spot of his last resting place.
I am proud to have been one who voted to give you the thousand dol- lars as it was little enough you asked. In conclusion let me say that what has been said of Mr. Ellis by the preceding speakers I desire to corrobor- ate. I can see him now sitting in his seat all attention to business and now and then a member coming to him for advice on a bill up for cousider- ation.
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Address by Rep. Balluff.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen :
I had not been informed until a very short time ago that it was expect- ed of me to make any remarks on this occasion, hence did not come prepar- ed to do so. If I should attempt to say anything about Ansel Briggs after the extended remarks of Governor Carroll, Mr. Gregory and others, who had made investigation for this purpose it would be only a repetition of their remarks and would have to be taken entirely from what I remember- ed of their statements made this afternoon. It was my intention to say a few words as to the method of legislation in so far as io applied to House File No. 1, which is the bill under which the appropriation for this monu- ment was made, but Senator Frudden has so fully covered this subject that there is nothing to add. I however do desire to emphasize Senator Frud- den's remarks as to the hard work that was done by your representative, Hon Jas. W. Ellis , for this bill.
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