USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of Wisconsin from prehistoric to present periods : the story of the state interspersed with realistic and romantic events > Part 34
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The superintendent of public instructions reported the total number of children in the state, over four and under twenty years of age, at one hundred and fifty-five thousand one hundred and twenty-five, an increase of sixteen thousand four hundred and sixty-seven over the number reported in 1854.
The first annual report of the State Historical Society was published this year, for the year 1854. This report shows that the society had received one thousand and fifty volumes and a number of paintings, autographs, and anti- quarian specimens. The society at this time occupied a small room in the basement of the Baptist church, at Madison. Dr. Lyman C. Draper was the efficient and successful corresponding secretary for the society.
In looking back upon the general political affairs in 1855, we are much impressed with the close resemblance between the politicians of those days and the present. The legislative assembly of 1855 was Republican, but had a Dem- ocratic governor. The Madison Democrat, in commenting upon this legisla- ture, uses the following language : " A body possessing a less amount of talent never met at the capitol. It came with professions of industry, economy and short sessions upon its lips. An idler, more lavish and dilatory body has not since the organization of the state, assembled within the walls of the capitol ; and the following is the result in brief of their labors: An amount of local legislation unparalleled in the history of the state, a failure to enact a single law which will accomplish a reform in public affairs, time devoted to the pur-
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suit of partisan and sinister objects to the total neglect of good and wholesome legislation, an amount of appropriations never before equaled in a single ses- sion, and a state tax of $350,000.00, $7.00 to each voter and 75 cents to every man, woman and child in the state."
The Madison Fournal in its next issue made the following reply to the Madison Democrat : "The legislature passed a prohibitory liquor law, the governor vetoed it. It passed a law to investigate the affairs of the state de- partments, the governor vetoed it. In short, with scarcely a single exception, every law to accomplish a reform in public affairs found an unscrupulous and active enemy in the governor, and was either vetoed or what is stilll more out- rageous-pocketed. *
At the Democratic state convention held at Madison, August 31, 1855, the following persons were nominated: For governor, William A. Barstow ; lieutenant-governor, Arthur McArthur ; secretary of state, David W. Jones ; state treasurer, Charles Kuehn; attorney-general, William R. Smith ; superin tendent of public instruction, A. C. Barry ; bank comptroller, William M. Dennis ; state-prison commissioner, Edward McGarry.
The Republican state convention met at Madison, September 1, 1855, and nominated the following ticket : For governor, Coles Bashford ; lieutenant- governor, C. C. Sholes; secretary of state, S. D. Hastings ; attorney-general, Alexander W. Randall; state treasurer, Charles Roesser; superintendent of public instruction, J. G. McMynn; bank comptroller, F. H. West ; state- prison commissioner, James Giddings. After a spirited contest, the Novem- ber elections resulted in the election of the whole Democratic ticket, except W. A. Barstow.
The state census, in 1855, taken under an act of the legislature, showed a population of five hundred and fifty-two thousand one hundred and nine.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
GOVERNOR BASHFORD'S ADMINISTRATION.
1856-1858.
Coles Bashford .- Bashford-Barstow Contest .- The State's Progress .- Political.
COLES BASHFORD, the successor of Governor Barstow, was born at Cold Springs, Putman county, New York, January 24, 1816. He was educated at the Wesleyan Seminary, Lima, New York. He studied law with John M. Holley at Lyons, New York, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. After practicing law for several years, and oc- cupying the position of district attorney of Wayne county, he removed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1850, and at once became a prominent figure at the bar, as well as in politics. The next year he was elected to the state senate as a Whig and Free Soiler. Being one of our most able and useful senators, he was re-elected in 1854 for the years 1855-1856, but resigned in 1855, and became the Republican can- didate for governor. After a hotly-con- tested campaign, the first and true returns showed that Mr. Bashford was elected by a small majority, while all the other Republican nominees at that election were defeated.
The zealous friends of Mr. Barstow, however, improvised several sets of supplemental returns, which were overwhelmingly in favor of their candidate, Governor Barstow, and were of sufficient number to overcome Mr. Bashford's small but honest majority. The state board of canvassers, being ardent parti- sans of Governor Barstow, received and counted the spurious returns, and de- clared him duly elected.
Mr. Barstow took the oath of office in the executive chamber, January 7, 1856, and continued in charge of the office. On the same day at noon, Mr. Bashford appeared before the supreme court, and was sworn in as governor, by Chief-Justice Whiton. Governor Bashford then proceeded to the executive chamber and demanded possession of Mr. Barstow. The polite and affable Mr. Barstow extended his compliments and respects to his visitor, but de- clined to vacate the office. The attorney general of the state, in behalf of Mr. Bashford, immediately filed an information with the supreme court, inquiring
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by what right or title Mr. Barstow held the office of governor. Governor Barstow, in pursuance of a summons issued by the court, appeared February 2, 1856, and was represented by Harlow S. Orton, Jonathan E. Arnold and Matt H. Carpenter, who moved to quash all proceedings under the writ, upon the ground that the court had no jurisdiction of the case. Governor Bash- ford's interests were ably presented by the attorney general, Edward G. Ryan, Alexander W. Randall and Timothy O. Howe. The motion to quash the writ was denied, and an order entered requiring Mr. Barstow to appear and plead to the writ before a certain day. Upon the court's sustaining the demurer interposed by Mr. Bashford, and the entry of an order requiring Mr. Barstow to answer within four days, his attorneys withdrew from the case, on the ground that their further appearance would be an admission that the court had jurisdiction, although the court held that everything pleaded by Mr. Bashford was admitted by the default of Mr. Barstow, yet declined to enter judgment for the plaintiff, but ordered him to produce evidence to prove his case. The evidence produced, upon the examination, so clearly establised the spuriousness of the supplemental returns, that Mr. Barstow resigned on March 21, 1856, and Arthur McArthur, the lieutenant-governor, became acting gov- ernor, as the supreme court had not yet rendered a final decision. The su- preme court finally entered judgment in favor of Mr. Bashford, declaring him duly elected to the office of governor, and entitled to the executive chair. On the 25th of March the lieutenant-governor vacated the chair, and Mr. Bashford became governor.
This is a memorable event, both on account of the principals and the high standing of the attorneys," as well as the intense excitement attending all the details of the case. The excitement was so great that bloodshed would have followed, had it not been for the extraordinary coolness of both Barstow and Bashford. The Republicans proposed, if Barstow should refuse to obey the order of the court, in case it should be against him, to take possession and in- augerate Mr. Bashford by force. The Democrats, on the other hand, claimed that the court had no right to inquire whether Barstow had been legally or fraudulently elected, and were prepared to resist with force and arms any move- ment the Republicans would take. Arms and ammunition were stored in the basement of the capitol, as well as in some of the hotels in Madison, and, for a while, civil strife seemed inevitable.
The administration of Governor Bashford was devoid of matters of vast importance, save the disposal of the St. Croix land grants, which disastrously involved a large number of prominent men. At the end of his term, the lead- ing Republicans were desirous of again nominating him for governor, but he declined to be a candidate for re-election, and resumed his law practice at Oshkosh.
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In 1863, Mr. Bashford removed to Tucson, Arizona, where his upward career was as rapid and popular as it had been at Oshkosh. In 1864, he was elected to the territorial council, and chosen president of that body with little opposition. In 1866, he was made attorney general of the territory, and dele- gate to congress. At the expiration of his term in congress, he was appointed secretary of the territory, which position he held until 1876, at which time he resigned it to again resume the practice of the law. Governor Bashford died on the 25th of April, 1878, of heart disease. He was possessed at the time of his death of an ample fortune. He was well read in the law, genial and popu- lar, even tempered, and cool at all times, and even during the gubernatorial contest, was said to have been the coolest man in Madison.
On June 23, 1857, the legislature met in joint convention, for the pur- pose of electing a United States senator, in place of the Hon. Henry Dodge, whose term of office expired March 4, 1857. James R. Doolittle received seventy-nine votes on joint ballot, and Charles Dunn thirty-six. The presi- dent, thereupon, declared the votes given for James R. Doolittle to be out of order and void, for the reason that Mr. Doolittle had been chosen the circuit judge, in 1853, and that the term for which he was chosen had not expired. An appeal was taken from the decision of the chair, and, a vote being taken, it appeared that forty votes were for sustaining the president, and seventy-one against it. In consequence, James R. Doolittle was declared duly elected.
Among the important bills passed at this session was one relating to writs of habeas corpus, for the benefit of fugitive slaves, and the right of trial by jury to prevent kidnapping. This was the Personal Liberty Bill, and was intended to invalidate the acts of congress on that subject. This act was virtually held unconstitutional by the supreme court of the United States, in the Glover case.
After the organization of the state government in 1848, the capitol build- ing not being sufficiently large to accommodate the different departments which had been increased on account of the growth of the state, it became ap- parent that a new capitol must be built without delay. The people of Madison for good reasons, believed that the capitol might be removed to some other part of the state, and, in consequence, donated to the state $50,000 in city bonds, to aid in the construction of a new capitol on the old site.
The proposition was accepted by the legislature. On March 3, 1856, an act was passed authorizing the enlargement of the state capitol. On February 28, 1857, an act was approved authorizing the governor and secretary of state to adopt a plan, and to let the contract for the east wing of the building. This contract was awarded to John Ryecraft, of Milwaukee, at $92,000.00, he being the lowest bidder. Mr. Ryecraft subsequently gave up his contract, and it was awarded to A. A. McDonnell. The work was completed in time to be occupied by the assembly, in 1859.
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The Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad Company completed its road to the Mississippi river in April, 1857. This was the occasion of great rejoicing, and, on the 16th of the same month, a grand excursion trip was made which was largely attended. The opening of this road placed the people in the western part of the state in communication with the lake shore.
On February 28, 1857, the legislature approved of an act enabling the regents of the State University to borrow $40,000.00 of the university funds for the construction of a main edifice for the university. The contract for the construction of the building was awarded to James Campbell at $36,550.00, he being the lowest bidder.
The year of 1857 was a year of disastrous failures throughout the west. Wisconsin was affected quite severely by this monetary panic.
The November elections, in 1857, resulted in the election of A. W. Ran- dall, Republican, governor, by four hundred and fifty-four majority, E. D. Campbell, Democrat, lieutenant-governor, by one hundred and seven majority ; D. W. Jones, Democrat, secretary of state, over Carl Schurz, by one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six majority ; S. D. Hastings, Republican, treasurer, three hundred and seventy-nine majority ; Gabriel Bouck, Democrat, attorney- general, five hundred and sixteen majority ; L. C. Draper, Democrat, super- intendent of public instruction, three hundred and ninety-one majority ; J. C. Squires, Democrat, bank comptroller, eight hundred and thirty-five majority ; Edward M. McGraw, Republican, state prison commissioner.
The presidential election, which had taken place in 1856, resulted in the election of the Republican ticket in the state. The electoral college cast the vote of the state for John C. Fremont for president, and William L. Dayton for vice-president.
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CHAPTER XL.
GOVERNOR RANDALL'S ADMINISTRATION, 1858-1862.
Alexander W. Randall .- A Special Investigation Committee Brings to Light the Bribery of the Legislature of 1856 .- Legislation .- Political .- Governor's Message to Legislature .- War Inevitable .- Bursting of War Clouds.
ALEXANDER WILLIAMS RANDALL, Wisconsin's fifth governor, was an able, strong, patriotic and honest man. A man of deep convictions, who always expressed his views in an unmistakable manner, and placed them into practical effect with wonderful force. Mr. Randall was of Scotch descent, and was born at Ames, Montgomery county, New York, October 30, 1819. After a course in the village school, he completed his education at Cherry Valley, Schoharie county, New York, then studied law and was admitted to the bar at the early age of nineteen. Being ambitious, he started west and finally located at Prairieville, now Waukesha, in 1840, where he at once opened a law-office. Being a handsome, genial, friendly fellow, he soon established a profitable business, so prosperous in fact that, in 1842, he returned to New York for his bride, Susan Van Vechten.
Although Mr. Randall was very popular as a lawyer in those days, yet he gave so much of his valuable time to politics and general public affairs as to materially interfere with his income. In 1846, he was elected a member of the constitutional convention. Although he joined the Free Soil Democracy, he did not become very active with that party, on account of the radical ideas of some of its leaders, and in consequence remained nominally a Democrat until the organization of the Democratic party in 1854. In 1847, Mr. Randall be- came a prominent factor in furthering the interests of the first railroad in Wis- consin, the Milwaukee and Mississippi, now a part of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway system. He drafted the charter, and was one of its first directors. In 1854, he was elected to the assembly, and the next year was nominated, by the Republican party, attorney-general, but was defeated with the other nominees, except Coles Bashford. In 1856, he was made judge of the Second judicial district, composed of the counties of Waukesha and Mil- waukee.
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Governor Randall was one of the first to prophesy the " War of the Rebel- lion," and his one desire was to see that Wisconsin was prepared for it. In January, 1861, in his message to the legislature, he said, " Secession is revolution ; revolu- tion is war; war against the government is treason. * *
* It is time now to know whether we have a government, and, if so, whether it has any strength. Is our written constitution more than a piece of parchment? The nation must be lost or preserved by its own strength. Its strength is the patriotism of the people. Now is the time when politicians must become patriots and men, and show their love of country by every sacrifice save that of principle."
This able and remarkable message he completed by urging the legislature to prepare " to respond to the call of the national government for men and means to preserve the integrity of the union."
The real character of Governor Randall was amply shown when, three months later, Fort Sumter was fired upon. It was then that his ability and energy were put to the test. The state was without military organization, or an overflowing treasury, in 1861; but Randall was fully prepared to cope with the situation. Bonds were issued, authority granted to place the state on a war footing, camps established, military appointments made and all prepara- tions possible throughout the state. When Randall heard of the firing on Fort Sumter by Beauregard, he said: "The rebellion begins where Charleston is ; let it end where Charleston was."
Governor Randall was always willing to address words of cheer and en- couragement to the soldiers. He aided materially in conceiving and executing those plans of the "War Governors," which were of so much service to the government.
In January, 1862, Governor Randall's second term expired. He was then made minister to Rome by President Lincoln. In 1863, he was made assistant postmaster-general, and, upon the resignation of William Denninson, in 1865, was appointed postmaster-general by President Johnson. This office he held until the accession of President Grant in March, 1869. Mr. Randall then resumed the practice of law, but, because of failing health, was obliged to retire. In 1865, Mr. Randall removed from Waukesha to his old home at Elmira, New York, where he continued to reside up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 26th of July, 1872.
Personally, as a jovial, friendly, fun-loving fellow, Mr. Randall probably had no equal. His witty sayings were famous for years. He was one of the first members of the secret organization called the "Ancient Evanic Order of I. O. O. I.," and was the author of many of the bright and ludicrous "initiatory" ceremo- nies for which that order was renowned. He was familiarly known as "Aleck" and, though occupying such high positions of honor, was always the same warm-hearted and genial man to his many friends.
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WISCONSIN'S STATE GOVERNORS.
Governor Bashford's administation having closed on the 4th day of Janu- ary, 1858, his successor, Alexander W. Randall, took the oath of office as governor upon that day. Among other important matters recommended in his message to the legislature which convened in January, 1858, he alluded to the alleged frauds and corrupt conduct by the legislature of 1856, in granting lands to aid in the construction of railroads by an act of congress approved June 3, 1856. On January 21, 1856, a select committee of the assembly made a report and recommended and adopted a resolution providing for the appointment of a committee, consisting of three members of the senate and five of the assembly, to investigate and inquire into the alleged frauds and corrupt conduct of divers members of the legislature of 1856. The resolution was duly passed by the assembly, and concurred in by the senate, upon which the committee was duly appointed with the Hon. Dennison Worthington as its chairman.
It appears that congress, in order to aid in the construction of railroads in Wisconsin, made two liberal land grants in June, 1856. One of the proposed lines was to run, either from Madison or Columbus via Portage City and the St. Croix river, to Bayfield, Lake Superior. The other contemplated line stretched northward from Fond du Lac to some point on the Michigan state line. Each alternate section of land designated by odd numbers four sections in width on each side of the contemplated railroad was to be given to the com- panies constructing them. The legislature accepted these grants in the fall of 1856 from the general government; then commenced a struggle among the railroad magnates to capture the offered prizes. The legislature decided, how- ever, not to give the lands thus ceded to any of the corporations already or- ganized, and proceeded to charter two new companies, one for each of the contemplated lines. The La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad Company, created by this legislature, captured the grant for the road to Lake Superior, while the company styled The Wisconsin and Superior Railroad Company received the grant for the road from Fond du Lac northward. These com- panies were new in name only, as that collosal company which afterward became known as the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul was alleged to be back- ing one of the nestlings, while the corporation which grew into the Chicago and North-Western was said to be the paternal ancester of the other. It is unnec- essary to say that the grantees of the old incorporations soon absorbed the new ones.
On May 13, 1856, the joint committee of investigation made a voluminous report, together with the testimony taken in the case. Many persons of high standing in both political parties were involved in the report. They reported that " the managers of the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad Company had been guilty of numerous and unparalleled acts of mismanagement, gross viola- tion of duty, fraud and plunder." They reported that thirteen senators, fifty-
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nine members of the assembly, the bank comptroller, lieutenant-governor, pri- vate secretary of the governor, three officials of the assembly, thirty-three prominent lobbyists and other prominent men, together with a judge of the supreme court, were implicated. They also reported, upon the evidence taken, that bonds and stocks at the par value of $175,000.00 were given or assigned to the senators, four of whom received the sum of $20,000.00, and the remainder $10,000.00 each, while, in the assembly, bonds and stocks were assigned to the value of $355,000.00, one member receiving $20,000.00, eight $10,000.00, and the remainder $5,000.00 each. The three state officials received $10,000.00 each, and the private secretary of the governor, $5.000.00.
The report also contained a list giving figures indicating the number of bonds to the extent of $50,000.00, the receiver of which was indicated by dashes, which were intended to represent Governor Bashford. It was believed, at the time, that Governor Bashford was the only one who realized upon his bonds, as the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad Company failed to materialize and, in consequence, the bonds became valueless.
On February 3, 1859, Ex-Governor Bashford requested the assembly to ap- point a committee to investigate the charges that had been preferred against him in the public prints and elsewhere. Upon receipt of a communication, the gov- ernor appointed a committee of five to examine witnesses, take evidence, and report upon the same. On the 9th of March, the committee reported that it had taken a large amount of testimony, relating to the charges brought against Ex-Governor Bashford, with reference to alleged bribery, and that it was of the unanimous opinion that the evidence showed that the fifty bonds referred to in the previous report of the investigating committee were received by Mr. Bashford, as a gratuity from the La Crosse company, after the grant had been disposed of, and without any previous understanding that he was to receive the same or any favor from the company. The committee in its report, how- ever, strongly disapproved of the governor's acceptance of said gratuitity, or a similar acceptance by any public officer of favors from those having business relations of an official character. It cannot be said that this report detracted in any manner from the position the public had previously taken as to Gov- ernor Bashford's guilt or innocence.
Among the various bills introduced into the legislature during the session of 1858, was one introduced near the close of the session, for the temporary removal of the state capital to Milwaukee. The bill came up on May 15th, in the assembly, having been ordered to the third reading the day previous. On the first vote there was a tie, the speaker not voting. Mr. J. H. Knowl- ton, who opposed the bill, changed his vote for it which carried it, but im- mediately moved a reconsideration, which was carried by one majority. The final vote then resulted in an exact tie, and as it required a majority, the bill was lost.
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WISCONSIN'S STATE GOVERNORS.
At the November elections, 1858, John F. Potter, C. C. Washburn, and Charles H. Larrabee were elected members of the Thirty-sixth congress. Potter and Washburn were Republicans, while Mr. Larrabee was a Dem- ocrat.
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