History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 115

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198

USA > South Dakota > History of Dakota Territory, volume I > Part 115

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The committee after a brief absence made the following report :

We, the committee on credentials, beg leave to submit the following list of delegates entitled to seats in this republican territorial convention :

Buffalo County-J. M. Benard,' Wm. Bennett, proxy to L. H. Roberts; Charles Mix County-W. T. McKay, Bruno Conover, Kerwin Wilson; Bon Homme-L. D. F. Poore, Bligh E. Wood, J. G. Mead, J. W. Garland; Yankton County-S. L. Spink, G. W. Kingsbury, A. Litchfield, G. W. Galbraith, Charles Wambole, W. W. Brookings proxy to J. R. Hanson, O. C. Peterson, C. H. McIntyre, C. F. Rossteuscher, J. M. Stone, C. W. Batchelder, J. W. Evans; Clay County-J. P. Kidder proxy to Nelson Miner, B. F. Campbell, Amos F. Shaw, F. J. Cross, Jas. A. Vail, proxy to A. F. Shaw, Randolph Mostow, E. W. Robbins, Nelson Miner, Jerome B. Tucker, Dana M. Noyse; Union County-E. LeGro, Alexander Hughes, J. A. Wallace, Archic Christie, Barney McGraw, L. H. Collins, Ole Holt, Mr. Scott, John Clemens, S. Collins, I. E. Doty; Lincoln County-P. C. Park, A. B. Wheelock, John Falde, G. W. Harlan, William Dunlap, B. S. Gillespie; Minnehaha County-Newton Clark, Henry Lewis, Wm. Holt, John Thompson ; Brookings and Deuel counties-John Bippus ; Turner County- E. W. Laird; Hutchinson County-John E. Maxwell, proxy to J. Viborney ; Hanson County-C. H. Graham; Pembina County-Charles Cavileer, proxy to L. H. Litchfield, Judson LaMoure. (There were no Northern Dakota counties, except Pembina and Buffalo, organized in 1872.)

The committee also reported that they had by special messenger, duly notified all delegations not then present, that were found entitled to seats in the con- vention.

(Note.) What was known as the Moody faction had, possibly from the force of habit, assembled at the schoolhouse in Canton and organized another republican convention, with the Union County delegation complete, five of the six delegates from Lincoln County, three from Minnehaha County, and one from Charles Mix County. The names of these delegates are given the foregoing report of the committee on credentials in the Brookings convention which includes all the delegates elected except the contesting delegation from Yankton County. The proceedings here given were those of the regular convention, but it was known as the Brookings faction. The two conventions assembled at the same hour in different halls and no attempt was made to unite them. The schoolhouse convention nominated Col. G. C. Moody for delegate to Congress.

Mr. Litchfield, on behalf of Pembina County, presented a report of the proceedings of the republican convention of Pembina County, embodying a request that the number of delegates allotted to that district be increased, owing to the fact that the population had largely increased since the election of 1870, and on motion the County of Pembina was allowed five votes in the convention.

The temporary officers of the convention were then elected the permanent officers.

The following committee on resolutions was then appointed :

Geo. W. Kingsbury, Yankton ; L. D. F. Poore, Bon Homme; P. C. Parke, Lincoln : Nelson Miner, Clay; John Bippus, Brookings; E. W. Laird, Turner, and L. H. Litchfield, Pembina ; which committee after a brief deliberation reported the following :

Ist. That in common with the republican party of the nation we heartily rejoice in the growing prosperity and rapid development of our entire country ; in the peace and good order which prevails throughout the land; and in the increase of our institutions of popular education ; firmly believing that under the direction of Divine Providence, the wise and liberal policy of republicanism, as connected with our public affairs has given the people these and many kindred favors now so generally enjoyed.

2d. That to the republican party are the people indebted for the inauguration of that policy which insures to the poor and rich alike. free homes on the public domain, and the suppression of that pernicious policy, so tenaciously adhered to for many years by the

... .---- .

-- -----

665

HISTORY OF DAKOTA TERRITORY

democratic party, through which our fertile lands were passed into the hands of mercenary speculators, instead of going to the honest and industrious yeomanry of our country.

3rd. That while we condemn as impolitic and unjust extravagant and unconditional grants of the public domain to railroad corporations, we at the same time recognize the necessity of granting such conditional aid to the construction of railways over the treeless prairies of our great west, as will secure the lands so granted to actual settlers at a uniform price, thus promoting the development of a vast area which must otherwise lie tenantless for years,

4th. That the administration of President Grant has been characterized by that prac- tical statesmanship which has won for our republican form of government the warmest encomiums from the liberal and enlightened nations of the world, and iended to strengthen the cause of liberty in every land. Our finances have been wisely and honestly managed. and the credit of the nation maintained both at home and abroad; the public debt has been month by month reduced, while the burdens of taxation have been continually lessened ; that as Washington, Jefferson, Jackson and others were not deemed in their day unfitted to preside over the destinies of the nation a second term, because of having been faithful stewards of the trust committed to their hands, so we in common with the great mass of our people, believe the renomination and reelection of President Grant is demanded by every consideration of security and sound policy. That we, therefore, in convention as- sembled, instruct our delegates to the National Republican Convention, to be held at Philadelphia on the 5th day of June, 1872, to cast the vote of Dakota for U. S. Grant for the nomination for President of the United States.

5th. That we pledge our united efforts to promote the best interests of Dakota Ter- ritory ; to encourage immigration and the development of our valuable resources; to labor for union and harmony in the republican party, deeming the prosperity of the territory closely connected therewith ; and that discord and division among its members is productive of great and lasting evils to our material interests; and we therefore pledge ourselves to ignore personal interests and prejudices, and act together for the welfare of all sections of our adopted home.

6th. That we deem it of the utmost importance that a vigorous liberal policy be inaugurated by our territorial government, that shall encourage the growth and cultivation of forests on our fertile plains; and also foster and assist immigration to our productive lands, and we call upon our law makers to give their earnest attention to the promotion of these measures.

The foregoing resolutions were then adopted as the platform of the republican party of the Territory of Dakota.

The convention then proceeded to take an informal ballot for a candidate for delegate to Congress, with the following result :

Whole number of votes cast. 41. W. W. Brookings received 28; W. II. H. Beadle, 1 ; J. P. Kidder, 5 : N. J. Wallace, 1 ; John L. Jolley, 6.

A formal ballot was then taken which resulted in giving Brookings forty-three votes, the unanimous vote of the convention, and he was declared duly nominated. Ole Thorson, of Lincoln, was then nominated for territorial auditor; and Ole Bottolfson, of Clay, for territorial treasurer : and E. W. Laird, of Turner County, for territorial superintendent of public. instruction: W. G. Press, of Yankton, was nominated for commissioner of immigration.

For delegates to the national republican convention, the first ballot resulted : L. H. Litchfield, 31 votes : John G. Mead, Bon Homme, 17 votes ; Nye E. Phillips. Minnehaha, 12: Charles Wambole, Yankton, 9 votes; John L. Jolley, Clay, 3 votes. Litchfield and Mead were declared elected, and J. P. Kidder and Nye E. Phillips were chosen alternates.

The following territorial central committee was then appointed: C. H. McIntyre, Yankton ; G. P. Bennett, Union ; John L. Jolley. Clay ; L. D. F. Poore. Bon Homme; Kerwin Wilson, Charles Mix: John C. Reeves, Buffalo; C. H. Graham, Hanson County : P. C. Parks, Lincoln ; N. E. Phillips, Minnehaha : John Bippus, Brookings ; Enos Stutsman, Pembina ; Emory Morris, Turner County.

The following resolution was then adopted :

Resolved. That we pledge ourselves to support the nominces of this convention and commend them to the republican party of Dakoty as worthy of their suffrage; and as having been properly nominated by the regular republican convention, convened at the time and place designated by the territorial republican committee, and nominated by delegates properly chosen by the several primary conventions throughout the territory.

666

HISTORY OF DAKOTA TERRITORY

Judge Brookings then made a brief address of acceptance; whereupon the convention adjourned.

The Moody convention assembled at the schoolhouse. There was no bolt- no unseemly conflict. Of the delegates named as entitled to seats in the Brook- ings convention, the following did not appear but joined the Moody forces: One from Charles Mix County; one from Union County ; five from Lincoln County ; four from Minnehaha County ; and also delegates from Yankton County.

Judge Moody was nominated for delegate to Congress, but the proceedings which were orderly and harmonious have not been available for insertion in this work. The campaign progressed and was energetically prosecuted, the contest as presented to the voters being almost altogether that between the rival republican candidates, neither of whom apparently regarded the democratic candidate, Mr. Armstrong, as a formidable rival.

DEMOCRATS AND LIBERAL REPUBLICANS

The democratic territorial convention met at Bon Homme, Dakota Territory, on Thursday, July 18, 1872, at 2 o'clock P. M., and was called to order by Gen. C. T. Campbell, of Bon Homme County. Dr. O. F. Stevens, of Union County, was chosen temporary chairman, and T. J. Sloan, of Clay, temporary secretary.

(In 1872 Horace Greeley, one of the founders of the. republican party had been nominated for president by a liberal republican convention while the demo- crats made no nomination and virtually endorsed Mr. Greeley, who was opposed by General Grant. A liberal republican convention convened at Bon Homme at this time, the proceedings of which are given following these proceedings. The two conventions worked in harmony. )

The chair then appointed the following committees :

On Credentials-J. L. Fisher, of Clay County; A. Baker, of Turner ; Michael Ryan, of Union; S. H. Morrow. of Hutchinson; S. A. Bentley, of Yankton ; H. C. Green, of Hanson ; J. D. Flick, of Charles Mix; W. H. Corson, of Minne- haha : S. Simpson, of Bon Homme.

On Resolutions-M. D. Weston, of Union; A. Baker, of Turner; Dr. J. B. VanV'elsor, of Yankton; S. H. Morrow, of Hutchinson; Dr. C. D. Owens, of Clay ; Charles Marshall, of Charles Mix; J. G. Bottsford, of Minnehaha ; Barney Cole, of Bon Homme ; Il. C. Breen, of Hanson.

The convention then took a recess to await the action of the credentials com- mittee, who after a brief absence reported the following named delegates entitled to seats :

Minnehaha County-C. K. Howard, W. H. Corson, J. G. Botsford.

Union County-E. W. Miller, R. R. Green, Geo. W. Kellogg, U. H. Akers, Joseph Walters, Wm. Hamilton, Henry Smith.

Lincoln County not represented.

Clay County- C. D. Owens, Richard Jewell, T. J. Sloan, George Curtis, G. S. Matthews.

Yankton County-John Walsh, Peter Anderson, Charles Stanage, L. D. Parmer, Charles Eiseman, J. B. VanV'elsor, Frank Wixson, John Lenger, S. A. Bentley.

Bon Homme County-Gen. C. T. Campbell, S. S. Simpson, Barney Cole, James Fraser.

Charles Mix County-J. D. Flick, C. H. Marshall.

Hutchinson County-Samuel H. Morrow.

The report was adopted : whereupon John W. Turner, of Turney County, was elected permanent president ; T. J. Sloan, of Clay, secretary ; and II. C. Green, of Davison, assistant secretary.

The president briefly addressed the convention, in acknowledgment of the compliment paid him; whereupon, on motion of Geo. W. Kellogg, the convention,

607

HISTORY OF DAKOTA TERRITORY

by acclamation, nominated Moses K. Armstrong, as candidate for delegate to Congress.

L. D. Parmer, of Yankton, then stated that he had a communication to present from the liberal republican convention, asking that a committee be appointed by the democratic convention to confer with a like committee of liberals, to agree upon a joint ticket and platform, and recommended that one member from each delegation be appointed on such committee. The recommendation was adopted, and Messrs. Parmer, Howard, Flick, Cole, Morrow, Weston, Green, Owens and Baker were appointed such conference committee and repaired to the conference room.

Upon the return of the committee Mr. Parmer reported that they had been met by the liberal republicans in a cordial spirit, and the following joint ticket had been agreed upon for territorial officers: Commissioner of immigration, James S. Foster, of Yankton ; superintendent of public instruction, E. W. Miller, of Union ; auditor, T. J. Sloan, of Clay ; treasurer, G. E. Maynard, of Clay.

The report being unanimously adopted, the candidates were nominated by acclamation.

The committee on resolutions then submitted the following report :

Resolved. That we earnestly endorse not only the platform enunciated at Cincinnati, but their nominees, Horace Greeley and B. Gratz Brown.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the just and necessary reform in the administration of territorial affairs, and the election to office of men who will command the confidence and respect of the people.

Resolved, That federal appointments by the President should be made from resident citizens of the territory, and the distribution of federal patronage given so as to promote the welfare of the people.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the proposed national system of reclaiming our interior plains by forest planting and utilizing streams, and opening Government highways for the trade and commerce of the West.

Resolved, That a division of the Territory of Dakota should be made giving to the northern settlements of Dakota a separate and distinct territorial government north of the 46th degree of north latitude.

Resolved, That there should be a broad and liberal homestead law for the benefit of the soldiers and sailors of the country.

Resolved, That for the promotion and success of these principles, and the success of the candidates nominated by this convention. we invite and cordially welcome the cooperation of all patriotic citizens, without regard to previous political affiliations.

Resolved, That the private and public conduct of Hon. M. K. Armstrong, our delegate in Congress, both as a citizen of Dakota and as the representative at Washington, has been such as entitles him to our confidence and support, and that he is the choice of this convention for reelection.

Which resolution was adopted.

The following Democratic Territorial Central Committee was then appointed : F. B. Foster, of Hanson County; J. D. Flick, of Charles Mix : S. Simpson, of Bon Homme ; S. H. Morrow, of Hutchinson ; G. S. Matthews, of Clay ; M. Ryan, of Union : L. D. Parmer, of Yankton, and J. W. Turner, of Turner.

Messrs. Bentley, Matthews and Campbell were appointed a committee to escort the members of the liberal republican convention to meet the democrats in joint convention. The committee performed the duty ; whereupon two democrats and two liberal republicans were appointed to wait on Hon. M. K. Armstrong, notify him of his nomination, and request his presence before the joint conven- tion. Responding thereto, Mr. Armstrong appeared and spoke as follows:

Gentlemen of the Democratic and Liberal Republican Conventions :- I esteem it as one of the highest privileges of my life to thank you for my nomination at your hands. I will not detain you by a lengthy discussion of territorial or national affairs, for I shall from time to time, at different points in the territory, discuss those questions. As I said two years ago, I esteemed it my duty to do what was best for the whole people. I went to Washington as a plain business man to attend to business in a plain business way. It is not the duty of a delegate to make spread-cagle speeches, or put on style It matters not what his politics are. he goes as the agent of the people. I was there three months before a single head of a department asked me what my political opinions were. 1 will

668

HISTORY OF DAKOTA TERRITORY

not enlarge, as my opponents have, upon what might or ought to be done. The only thing that I regret is that since my return, certain republican papers and leading republicans, in the territory, are trying to deprive me of the honor due me by attributing the credit to a certain governor. You know a delegate has no right to vote. It is simply straight- forward work with the committees, and only in this way can he accomplish anything for the territories. I consider this as one of the proudest moments of my life. I am proud of the territory ; proud of my constituents, and I promise, if elected, I will serve the people as faithfully as I can. I have endeavored to serve the people as well as I could, even when a contest was on my hands, and not till after that contest was decided, did I succeed in securing the passage of a single bill for the welfare of Dakota.

When Greeley is elected, then will be our harvest, instead of the republican who has ruled so bitterly over us; and it will be my whole aim to have such men appointed to office as will be an honor to the country. I might enlarge upon the action of the Baltimore Convention, but will only say that before I left Washington, the unanimous felling was for the democrats and liberal republicans to unite and put their heels upon the power that has so long usurped our rights. I will only say in conclusion that if elected I will be the servant of the people.

With three rousing cheers, the convention adjourned.

THE LIBERAL REPUBLICAN PARTY

The liberal republican party was an outgrowth of an independent movement in 1872 of certain leading republicans who were opposed to the reelection of President Grant. Prominent among them and leaders were Carl Schurz, Henry Winter Davis, Horace Greeley, Charles Francis Adams, and others. A conven- tion was called to meet in Cincinnati, prior to the meeting of the democratic na- tional convention in Baltimore, and Charles Francis Adams was understood to be the one who would be nominated for President, he being the great-grandson of President John Adams, who succeeded Washington. The program was changed, however, and Horace Greeley received the nomination, with B. Gratz Brown, of Missouri, for vice president. The democratic national convention subsequently ratified the nomination.

In Dakota the two organizations united at Bon Homme to support the demo- cratic ticket, save the nomination of James S. Foster for commissioner of immi- gration, which was a concession to the liberal republicans.

In Dakota the liberal convention, pursuant to call, assembled at Bon Homme on the same day and hour that the democratic convention met. and was called to order by Dr. Joel A. Potter, of Yankton County, chairman of the territorial com- mittee. Maj. J. Shaw Gregory, of Yankton, was elected temporary chairman, and H. C. Burr, of Yankton, secretary.

Messrs. R. I. Thomas, of Yankton: G. C. Maynard, of Clay; J. Pierce, of Turner, and H. A. James, of Bon Homme, were appointed a Committee on Or- ganization, and reported as follows :

For president-A. J. Sweetser, of Yankton.

For vice presidents-LeRoy Wood, Bon Homme ; P. H. Turner, Turner ; Sam Jones, Clay ; M. M. Rich, Union; M. U. Hoyt, Yankton ; William Cox. Charles Mix; D. W. Reynolds. Minnehaha ; John Head. Hanson; Lewis Hulett, Brook- ings ; I. N. Martin, Lincoln ; John Maxwell, Hutchinson.

Secretary-H. C. Burr. Yankton.

The report was adopted. A credentials committee was then appointed, consist- ing of P. K. Faulk, Yankton ; LeRoy Woods. Bon Homme, and Jud Pierce, of Turner, who reported in brief that the counties of Yankton, Clay, Turner, Bon Homme and Charles Mix were fully represented.

The Clay County delegation consisted of C. H. Ricker, C. Prentis, John O. Ford, G. C. Maynard, W. W. Deming. G. C. Bigelow, Samuel Jones, James White- horn, Amos Hampton and D. W. Hodgin.

Yankton County-Joel A. Potter, J. Shaw Gregory, M. U. Hoyt, James S. Foster, P. K. Faulk, Horace Burr. R. J. Thomas and Frank Schnauber.

The names of the other delegates appear among the officers and committees.

The first business in order was the appointment of a committee.

WILLIAMS COUNTY COAL MINE

STEAMER "O. K."

STEAMBOATS "WASHBURN" AND "WESTON" COALING FROM THE MINE, NORTHERN DAKOTA

RIVER BANK NEAR MANNHAVEN, NORTHERN DAKOTA, SHOWING COAL

اسالى ٠انج

استا يسموكا

بوجيه

669

HISTORY OF DAKOTA TERRITORY

A committee of conference from the democratic convention was then an- nounced, and on motion of Mr. Schnauber, of Yankton, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Thomas, Pierce, Gregory, James and Maynard, was appinted to meet the democratic committee, and a recess was taken to permit the conference com- mittee to deliberate. On being called to order the conference committee reported that an agreement had been made upon a ticket and platform, and recommended its adoption. (This ticket was identical with the territorial ticket nominated by the democrats, and was duly ratified.)

The convention then, by acclamation, nominated M. K. Armstrong as the liberal republican candidate for delegate to Congress.

The following central committee was then appointed: Dr. R. I. Thomas, Yankton, chairman; William Cox, Charles Mix; Samuel Jones, Clay; P. H. Turner, Turner ; D. W. Reynolds, Minnehaha ; John Head, Hanson ; Il. A. Jones, Bon Homme ; John Maxwell, Hutchinson ; William Frisbie, Union ; I. N. Martin, Lincoln ; Louis Hulett, Brookings. At large-Fred Schnauber and M. U. Hoyt, Yankton.

Dr. Joel A. Potter was recommended as a member of the national committee. The members of the convention then proceeded to the hall of the democratic con- vention, and at the conclusion of Mr. Armstrong's address, adjourned.

THE CAMPAIGN

There had never been a united republican party in Dakota Territory when the Legislative Assembly of 1872-73 met at the capital in Yankton in December, 1872- met, contested, intrigued, deliberated and adjourned. Even as far back as 1862, when the republican organization was first formed, there was a faction led by federal officials, who refused to act with the regular organization ; in 1864 there were the Burleigh and Bliss factions, which finally united, leaving the handle of the hatchet protruding. In 1866 it was Burleigh with the Johnson republican wing, and Brookings with the congressional republicans, the new organization ; in 1868 it was Spink, Kidder, Todd, Toohey and Burleigh, and though but one republican nominee-Spink-Mr. Kidder was nominated and supported by repub- licans largely. In 1870 it was Burleigh and Spink, and in 1872 it was Brookings and Moody. It would seem that through this decade of factional squabbling, that a change of leaders did not affect the antagonism inherent in the so-called party, for new leaders sprang up to take the place of those deposed on either side. Mr. Burleigh does not appear to have been personally engaged in the conflict of 1872. He was, during that summer, employed with a fifty-mile contract of grading on the Northern Pacific Railroad. east of the Missouri River, and was very busy in push- ing that work. The election of 1872 was hotly contested between the republican factions, and for the first time citizens of the northern part of the territory who had come in along the line of the Northern Pacific, which was then in course of construction between Fargo and Bismarck, participated in the voting. Precinets had been established at Fargo, then in Pembina County, and at Jamestown and Edwinton, in Buffalo County, and possibly at Fort Berthold, in the same county ; and also at Wahpeton, or Chinkapa, in Richland County.

The election was held on the 8th of October, and the table given here, with the total vote cast, both the portion which was accepted by the board of territorial canvassers as valid, and the portion which was rejected as illegal and also because of various damaging informalities.

THE OFFICIAL VOTE

The canvass of the returns made to the secretary of the territory took place November 27th. The board of canvassers was composed of Governor Burbank. Chief Justice French, and Secretary Ed S. MeCook. Prior to the canvass an opportunity was given for argument in behalf of the several candidates regarding

670

HISTORY OF DAKOTA TERRITORY

the questionable character of a portion of the returns from various precincts, after which the board proceeded with the canvass, the result being given herewith for delegate to Congress :

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 115

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1198

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198