History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 95

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

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In the three caucuses, or rather five, including the double-headers, there had been about five hundred and fifty-five votes polled, and by comparing this total with the caucuses previously held, and those afterward held for a number of years, we believe it will be found that the record high mark for attendance was reached at this time. The total vote of the county at the election held shortly after was 869 -- it was conceded that everybody voted who was able to get to the polls, at this election-of which number Armstrong received 336; leaving 533 divided between Burleigh and Spink, or twenty-two votes less than was cast at the three republican caucuses.

The Yankton County convention was called for August 30th, and as two sets of delegates had been elected from two of the precincts, and no "olive branch" was tendered from either side, there was no effort made to unite. Two conven- tions were held, two sets of delegates elected to the territorial convention and two county and legislative tickets nominated.

The Spink convention elected J. D. Boyer, M. U. Hoyt, J. R. Hanson, O. C. Peterson, Ole Sampson, A. P. Hammon, Erick Iverson, Jacob Braun and Rudolph Von Ins delegates to the territorial convention ; and the following resolution was also adopted :

Resolved. That the delegates elected by this convention be instructed to vote against the nomination of Walter A. Burleigh at the republican convention in Vermillion, and to oppose his nomination first, last and all the time.

The Burleigh Republican convention met with their delegates present from the three precincts, at Stone's Hall, organized, appointed committees, and then adjourned to Burleigh's Hall on Broadway, where the Committee on Resolutions reported the following :

Resolved, That we desire, above all other things politically, the harmony, integrity and success of the Republican party and the permanence of republican principles in the nation and territory : that we refer with pride to the record of our national party ; its triumph over treason and for liberty ; its defense of civil, and guarantee of political rights.

Resolved, That we heartily endorse the administration of President Grant and the republican party in Congress in their faithfulness to the principles of our party, their guard of the public credit, reduction of the public debt, perpetuity and support of the system giv- ing free lands to actual settlers, and the honorable administration of public affairs.

Resolved, That we do and ever will support and sustain the great fundamental princi- ple of the republican party-that the people and they alone, are the only legitimate and natural source of political power in a free government-and to them alone belongs the right to make and unmake laws and to remove and appoint their own public servants.

Resolved. That we regret the recent action of politicians in the county in failing to act with the majority of the republican people.

Resolved. That we pledge ourselves to the faithful support of the nominees of the regular republican convention to be held at Vermillion, September 6. 1870.

The following named delegales to the republican territorial convention were then elected: J. A. Potter, T. W. Brisbine, Iver Bagstad, Frank Bronson, A. J. Faulk, Arthur Linn, S. Eiseman, Warren Cowles and T. W. Hammon

The following resoltition was adopted :

Resolved. That the delegation of Yankton County to the territorial convention to be held at Vermillion, on the 6th of September. 1870, are hereby instructed to cast the votes of Vol. 1 -35

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said county for Ilon. W. A. Burleigh, as a candidate for delegate to Congress, first, last and all the time, and the majority of said delegates shall cast the whole nine votes as a unit. The convention then adjourned.

THE REPUBLICAN TERRITORIAL CONVENTIONS, 1870

The republican territorial convention was held at Vermillion, September 6, 1870, meeting at Lee & Prentiss's Hall. Col. G. C. Moody, chairman of the ter- ritorial committee, called the convention to order, and nominated Mr. Curtis, of Union County, for chairman. Warren Cowles nominated Aaron Carpenter, of Clay, and Carpenter was elected. The first jangle occurred over the appointment of a Committee on Credentials. It appeared that Clay County was the only county in the convention that did not have a contesting delegation; and S. C. Fargo, A. J. Smith, T. C. Hartshorn, A. J. Mills and Fred J. Cross, of that county, were appointed the credentials committee The convention then adjourned until 5 o'clock P. M., to give this committee time to make up its report and hear the contests. The committee were not able to agree, but divided : three, Harts- horn, Fargo and Smith, recommending the admission of the Burleigh delegates throughout, and Mills and Cross recommending the Spink delegates.

This occasioned considerable debate and questioning, and a partial demand for a reopening of the work of the committee, which terminated in the refusal of the Spink delegates to attend the convention after recess. The three members of the committee then reported that there were no contesting delgations, and recommended the seating of the following named delegates: Todd County- John W. Smith, Todd Randall, E. W. Raymond. Charles Mix County-W. T. McKay, William Hobrough. Bon Homme County-Nathan McDaniels, W. H. Orcutt, John W. Owens. Yankton County-J. A. Potter, S. Eiseman, T. W. Bris- bine, Warren Cowles, Oliver Bagstad, Frank Bronson, A. J. Faulk, Arthur Linn, T. W. Hammond. Clay County-A. Carpenter, T. C. Hartshorn, Knud Larson, C. H. Bennett, A. J. Smith, A. J. Mills, F. J. Cross, Amund Hanson and S. C. Fargo. Union County-Archie Christie, C. B. Vradenburg, R. R. Green, David Walters, John Edwards, H. W. McNiel, B. F. Smith. J. A. Smith, I. N. Flannagan, James Ross. Lincoln County-Perry C. Park, G. W. Harlan, W. R. McLaury. Minnehaha County-R. F. Pettigrew, C. M. Coats.

The report was adopted.

The convention then elected T. W. Brisbine, of Yankton, permanent chair- man, and H. W. McNiel and F. J. Cross, secretaries. The nomination of Doctor Burleigh for delegate to Congress was then made by acclamation. T. W. Ham- mon, of Yankton, was then nominated for territorial treasurer ; William Shriner, of Clay County, for territorial auditor, and Rev. H. W. McNiel, of Union County, for superintendent of public instruction.

Warren Cowles from the Committee on Resolutions, submitted a report, as follows :

Resolved, That the republican party of Dakota Territory approves the administration of President Grant as honorable, patriotic and economical, and fulfilling in an eminent degree the purposes for which governments are formed; and we pledge to that administration and its distinguished head an unwavering and earnest support.

Resolved, That we recommend to the people of this territory the candidates, we, in obedience to publie sentiment, have presented to them, as men eminently worthy of their suffrages and support, and we hereby pledge ourselves, and pledge the people of this terri- tory, to procure for them a triumphant election in October next.

Resolved, That railroads in this territory are the great and primary want of this people; and it is the wish and sentiment of our men of all parties, that Congress give to the several railroads seeking passage through our territory, liberal grants of land to aid in their con- struction. And our candidate for delegate is hereby pledged and instructed, when elected, to proceed to Washington and urge upon Congress, with all the influence he can bring to bear, and by all the moral power of our entire people, to procure for the Dakota and Northi- western Railroad, traversing the country from north to south, and the McGregor and Yank- ton, and Southern Minnesota railroads, entering the territory at Canton and Sioux Falls, respectively, the granting of such aid in lands as shall secure their early construction-these

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three railroads being preeminently necessary to the early and rapid development of our territory.

Resolved, That we deeply deplore the passage of the act of Congress of the 13th day of July last, requiring all preemptors on the public lands to make speedy payment for the same, as a law which a large portion of the settlers of this territory cannot comply with. It will have the effect to give capitalists and speculators the principal portion of the public land of this territory, and drive from the land and the territory thousands of the poor men who have sought a residence among us, and are creating homes with so much labor and privation. We urge upon our candidate, if elected, to proceed to Washington and in the name of the men of all parties in this territory, to persuade Congress next winter, to repeal this harmful law so far as it applies to our people.

Resolved, That it is the sentiment of this convention and the people whom they represent, that the policy heretofore and now pursued of withholding the public lands of this territory from sale, except to actual settlers, has proved itself a wise policy, and one tending 10 the rapid settlement and development of the country, and we desire the same policy continued as long as these lands in the territory are open to settlement.

The resolutions were adopted. A central committee composed of Laban H. Litchfield, of Yankton, chairman ; Wm. II. Hobrough, Charles Mix; John Smith, Todd County ; John W. P. Owens, Bon Homme : Ilorace J. Austin, Clay County ; E. Le Gro, Union ; N. Phillips, Minnehaha ; C. L. Gardner, Lincoln County, was appointed. The convention then adjourned.

THE ANTI-BURLEIGH CONVENTION

The Spink delegates assembled at the schoolhouse, in Vermillion, and were called to order by G. P. Bennett, of the central committee. J. F. Curtis, of Union County, was chosen temporary chairman, and M. U. Hoyt, of Yankton, secretary.

A Committee on Credentials was then appointed consisting of G. P. Bennett, of Union ; F. J. Cross, of Clay; B. S. Gillespie, of Lincoln; A. P. Hammon, of Yankton, and Charles Allen, of Minnehaha, which reported the following named delegates entitled to seats: Minnehaha County-John Thompson and Charles Allen. Lincoln County-B. S. Gillespie, A. E. Wheelock, John Falda. Union County-G. P. Bennett, Emory Morris, J. F. Curtis, D. Ross, Sr., H. N. Wicks, A. Gibson, P. Crum, S. L. Parker, Ole Holte, J. B. Mannes. Clay County-F. J. Cross and A. J. Mills. Yankton County-M. U. Hoyt, J. D. Boyer, Erick Iver- son, Ole Sampson. Jacob Branch, Ole C. Peterson, J. R. Hanson, A. P. Hammon and Rudolph Von Ins. Todd County-C. H. McIntyre, proxy for three delegates elected from that county.

On motion, J. F. Curtis was made permanent chairman, and F. J. Cross, of Clay, secretary.

A motion was adopted requiring twenty-two votes to nominate a candidate.

An informal ballot was then taken for the nomination of a candidate for dele- gate to Congress, resulting as follows: Yankton County, Spink, 4; Moody, 5 ; Minnehaha County, Spink, 2; Lincoln, Spink, 2; Moody, 1 ; Todd, Spink, 3 ; Clay, Spink, 2: Union, Spink, 10. Total, Spink, 22; Moody, 6.

The formal ballot was then taken, giving Spink, 24; Moody, 5; whereupon Spink was made the unanimous choice.

W. S. Smith, of Lincoln, was nominated for territorial auditor ; T. K. Hovey, of Clay County, for territorial treasurer ; and E. H. Webb, of Union, superintend- ent of public instruction.

The following central committee was then appointed: O. B. Iverson, Minne- haha : J. Q. Fitzgerald, Lincoln ; Fred J. Cross, Clay ; G. P. Bennett, Union; Geo. H. Hand, Yankton.

The Committee on Resolutions made the following report which was adopted :

Resolved, By the republicans of Dakota Territory in delegate convention assembled, that we heartily approve and cordially endorse the administration of President Grant, recognizing in him one whose every effort is directed to the promotion of the best interests of the peo- ple and the Government.

Resolved, That the patriotic and unswerving course of the Congress of the United States. as exhibited in reconstruction, in finance, and in foreign affairs, merits and receives our cordial approval and our warmest praise.

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Resolved, That as the representatives of the republican party of Dakota, we unreservedly denounce the conduct of W. A. Burleigh, and his principal supporters in Dakota, for the outrageous, indecent, and illegal manner in which he and they have sought to override the republican party of Dakota, and foist upon them, by rowdyism and bullying, a candidate who has no claims as a republican, and in whose honesty and integrity they have no confidence.

Resolved, That it is the duty of the republican party in Dakota, while it guards with a jealous care the political welfare of Dakota, to foster and encourage all measures that tend to advance our material interests; to encourage immigration; to establish and maintain schools; to build and support churches; and to lend their united aid to the development of every section of Dakota.

Resolved, That we extend the right hand of fellowship to the people of every nation, race or creed, who come among us desiring to be good citizens, and to share the blessings and advantages of our free and beneficent Government.

Resolved, That we view with unfeigned pleasure the railroad enterprises now inaugu- rated in Dakota, and will at all times stand ready to aid to our utmost all such improvements in any section of Dakota.

Resolved, That we will support, by all honorable means, the candidates selected by this convention for delegate to Congress and territorial offices, recognizing in their success the triumph in Dakota of right over wrong, of honesty over fraud, bribery and deceit, and of true republican principles over mongrelism and money bags.

Mr. Spink was then introduced and made an address, after which the conveni- tion adjourned.

THE MISFORTUNE OF MR. SPINK

Mr. Spink had entered upon the office of a delegate to Congress at an unpropi- tious time. His term began with President Grant's first term ; and as Grant had been chosen by an overwhelming majority of the states, he had a host of prominent supporters among the senators and representatives in Congress and among his old army comrades, who were clamorous for the federal appointments.

Doctor Burleigh, who preceded Mr. Spink, had become delegate in 1865, the year of President Johnson's accession, and because of his ardent support of Mr. Johnson in his contest with Congress, was enabled to control nearly all the federal appointments in Dakota as is shown by the list previously given, from governor to postmaster, and was also a power in matters affecting interests outside the territory.

From this circumstance, voters generally in the territory, and Mr. Spink's friends particularly, had expected that he would be able to secure many of these offices ; but they did not at the time realize the changed conditions that followed the coming in of President Grant. It had not been the policy of Mr. Lincoln to appoint to the leading federal positions, citizens of the territory, and there was ten-fold greater pressure upon Grant for places in the federal civil service than beset Lincoln. Nevertheless, Mr. Spink's friends had agreed upon a list of posi- tions which they expected him to make strenuous efforts to secure, and which cov- ered nearly the entire field ; but later, as the appointments of the new President were announced, it was discovered that the claims of Dakota had been only slightly considered. Senator Morton, of Indiana, secured the appointment of Burbank for governor : Senator Ilamlin, of Maine, secured the chief justiceship for French ; and General Belknap, the secretaryship for Wilkins. Mr. Brookings was appointed associate justice, which should be credited to Delegate Spink though Maine in- fluences turned the scale. Surveyor General Beadle was appointed through Wis- consin influences backed by a good army record. Judge Kidder and United States Marshal Litchfield were reappointed through influences from Minnesota and Ver- mont for Kidder, and Pennsylvania for Litchfield, though both these officials had opposed Spink's election. Mr. Spink secured the appointment of Colonel Camp- bell, of Vermillion as register of the Vermillion land office, with the aid of Gen. Phil Sheridan, and during the second year the offices of assessor and collector of internal revenue for his partisan friends. The Indian agents, under the new peace policy, had been assigned to various religious denominations. The offices mentioned, with a few postoffices, were the sum of federal patronage that fell to

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Mr. Spink. During his entire term the new governor of Dakota, Doctor Burbank was a force at Washington to be reckoned with in all matters of patronage.

These several conditions, growing out of the national situation as affecting politics and patronage, served, though unjustly, to weaken Mr. Spink in the home political field. He was required, by his opponents, at least. to compare the results of his stewardship with that of his predecessor; and as the only item in the account that was given great prominence was that relating to federal appoint- ments, it was not a difficult matter, therefore, to show that he had failed to measure up to the standard of his predecessor. It was conceded that he had been faithful and unremitting in attending to his duties; had been watchful in securing all the needed appropriations ; had labored to divide the territory on the 40th parallel. and in a general way had been a creditable representative of the territory ; but it was manifest when the campaign opened in 1870, that his record, set against that of his predecessor who was now opposing him for the nomination, would not prove an attractive campaign document. It was used, however, with some unfriendly shading by Spink's opponents.

The result of the election indicated that Mr. Spink had not grown in popular favor during his career, neither had he fallen behind. He received about the same number of votes that were given him two years before, and in the inter- vening time, Wyoming had been organized and taken away the vote of Laramie and Carter counties which gave Spink nearly four hundred in 1868.

THE DEMOCRATIC TERRITORIAL CONVENTION

September ist, the following call was issued hy the democratic territorial central committee :

A convention for the nomination of a candidate for delegate to Congress, and also for the nomination of candidates for territorial treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction, is hereby called to meet at Yankton, D. T., Saturday, September 10, 1870, at ) o'clock, P. M. All voters who approve of the principles of the democratic party, and are in favor of reform in the management of the affairs of the territory, are cordially invited to participate in the county convention. Each county will be entitled to representation as fol- lows: Union County, 10 delegates : Yankton, 9: Minnehaha, 2: Clay, 9: Bon Homme, 3: Todd, 3; Lincoln, 3; Charles Mix, 3: Pembina, 1. The committee respectfully recommends that where there are no county committees, the democrats of the county meet at the county seat of each county, on Tuesday, the 6th day of September, at 2 P. M., and select the dele- gates their county is entitled to. After consultation, the two committees deem it for the interest of the democratic party to make the foregoing united call.

J. L. Fisher, Clay County, chairman ; Michael Ryan, Union County ; J. B. Van Velser, Yankton County ; Jonathan Brown, Bon Homme County ; democratic central committee, September 8, 1868.

A. G. Fuller, Yankton County, chairman : D. T. Bramble, Yankton County ; Hugh Fraley, Bon Homme County; Felicia Fallas, Charles Mix County ; democratic central committee. June 20, 1868.

The democratic territorial convention met at Yankton, September 10. 1870. J. L. Fisher. Clay County, who had been conceded the chairmanship of the ter- ritorial committee, called the convention to order, and named George W. Kellogg, of Union, president. Dr. J. G. Lewis, of Clay, was elected secretary. On mo- tion of E. B. Wixson, of Union, the chair appointed a Committee on Credentials consisting of E. B. Wixson, Union ; G. D. Laughton, Clay : Bartlett Tripp, Yank- ton : Il. C. Greene, Bon lomme ; and Gen. C. T. Campbell, Chas. Mix.

The committee reported the following named delegates, entitled to seats, to- wit: Union County-Joseph T. Cullaman, Francis Reandean, G. W. Kellogg, Christ Maloney, Michael Curry, Henry Smith. Shepherd Young, G. W. Beggs, E. B. Wixson, William Gray. Clay County-G. D. Laughton, Joseph Nooman, Charles Kilton, J. 1. Fisher, George Curliss. F. D. Snow, N. Sorenson, J. G. Lewis, and N. McHugh. Yankton County -E. J. Trowbridge. J. B. Van V'elsor. Abel Stafford. C. D. Owens. O. B. Orton, Bartlett Tripp. J. F. Dowling. Henry Bradley, and Thomas Frick. Lincoln County-J. Gehon. Benj. F. Hill and M. 1. Stone. Todd County-Stephen F. Estes, Nicholas Johnesse, and Dominick Bray. Charles Mix and Buffalo counties-John Dean, Cuthbert Ducharme, C.

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T. Campbell, Jas. P. Sherman, Felicia Fallas, Joseph Volin. Minnehaha County -John Bailey and John Ford. Bon Homme County-H. C. Greene, H. C. Dav- idson, and R. W. Andrews.

On motion the convention proceeded to a permanent organization, where- upon Dr. J. E. VanVelsor, of Yankton, was elected permanent chairman, and H. C. Davidson, secretary.

On motion of G. W. Kellogg, the chair appointed Dr. J. G. Lewis, O. B. Orton, Yankton; H. C. Greene, Bon Homme; C. T. Campbell, Chas. Mix; and John Bailey, Minnehaha, a Committee on Resolutions ; which committee after due consideration, made the following report :

Whereas, The exigencies of the times demand that political parties should lay aside old and worn out issues, and present to the free and intelligent voters of the country matters of present moment, in order that there may be a speedy return to the prosperity of former times, and the burden of self-government be more equally divided; therefore,

Resolved, That we favor the lowest rate of taxation consistent with a safe administra- tion of the Government, and preservation of public credit, the careful husbanding of our public resources, and the most rigid accountability to the people on the part of all the public servants.

Resolved, That taxation to be just, must be for public purposes, equal and uniform, and that the national Government has no right to levy a tax upon one individual to promote and advance the interests of another; and that a protective tariff is in conflict with the funda- mental doctrine of equality and uniformity in taxation, and wholly repugnant to the prin- ciples of republican government.

Resolved, That we will oppose to the utmost of our power the present policy of the republican leaders, which by the unjust and burdensome taxation of labor, and equally unjust nontaxation of wealth, is rapidly drawing broad and deep lines of distinction between labor and capital, and by special and corrupt legislation, is dividing our people into castes, and urging into hostilities the great interests of the nation.

Resolved, That we favor such public measures as will insure the early opening of our undeveloped prairies by the honest and energetic settler, and condemn every measure calcu- lated to throw them into the hands of the foreign speculator ; therefore we demand the early passage of the laws now pending in Congress granting lands for the building of railroads in our midst; and remonstrate against all measures tending to bring our lands into public market.

Resolved, That the opening and developing of the rich mineral fields and pine forests of the Black Hills is a matter of great commercial interest to the people of Dakota, and we deem it the duty of our public officers to exert every energy to accomplish the removal of the wild tribes of Indians from that region, that the same may be opened to the advancing march of civilization.

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to favor such measures as will offer the greatest inducement and encouragement for the immigrant to settle on the public lands.

Resolved, That we favor the prompt recognition of the just claims of the Federal soldiers and sailors and their widows and children.

Resolved. That upon the declaration of principles we invite every elector of the territory, without regard to former party relations or associations, to join hands with us at the coming election in electing to office honest and capable men.

The resolutions were adopted.

Nominations being in order, the chair appointed G. W. Kellogg, J. L. Fisher, and H. C. Greene, tellers.

The Yankton County convention had instructed its delegation to present Moses K. Armstrong as a candidate for the nomination of delegate to Congress, and on motion an informal ballot was taken for candidates for that office, result- ing as follows: M. K. Armstrong, 25; J. W. Turner, Clay County, 17. Mr. Turner then made a brief speech of thanks and withdrew from the race, and Mr. Armstrong was then nominated by acclamation. The following nominations for territorial officers were then made: Territorial treasurer, T. J. Sloan, of Clay : auditor, G. W. Kellogg, of Union ; superintendent of public instruction, J. W. Turner, of Clay.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 95

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