Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-02-01
Pettigrew's Views.
To the Editor ofthe Yankton Press and Dakotl
ian.

= + ~ sk,t
To the Editor of,ho Y.nkton Press and Dakota.
! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
WASHINGTON, d. C., Jan. 20, 1882. -
The editorial in a late issue Of your
paper compcls me, for the first time to
address the public in regard to the
Pettigrew-Ordway controversy. To
a full understanding, brief resume
will not prove anliss or unintcrest-
ing Upon reaching the capital at
/ the beginning Of the new admins.
tration, ! was justly indignant to
/ find those two worthies, Coy. Ord
lway and Ju.lse Bennett, jointly as-
suRSing the duties and functions u
my ofiics~~s delegate. However
poorly qualified | might have been
in their profound judgments, still, as
set, the people had not called upon
them to interfere. Indeed, their POI
sition, as to one Of them, at least,
had been quite the reverse. Com-
mon courtesy and common deccncy,
too, ought to have told that one to
retire to the shades of private life as
unostentatiously MS possible after his
last official salary had been pocket
ed. lie did not do it, however, but
he was retired all the same, as this
history demonstrates. 1t took an
office to bring him to Dakota, and
before his term was slowly and sure
ly waning, 'by and with the consent
of the people" had fully expired, he
was actively scheming for another.
1t is perhaps needless to state why
he did not receive it, but that he did
not is worth recording. He has
time and liberty 10 explain. But
enough of the dead past, and now as
to the living. Ordway must under
stand both the measure of his great
ness and place OF business. He was
paid salary, without question as to
its being earned, to stay at Yankton
and not at Washington, and to do
his duty as governor and not as del
egate. However, he was in his own
estimation consequential enough to
| fill both Offices and be at both capi-
tails. But now to return to the joint
work of these worthless. In every
department of the government I find
both the people of Dakota and dele
gate opposed and maligned, person
ally and politically. ! had the full
benefit of q similar course pursued
| by them during the canvass and
election. There 1--WE three" met on
common ground before the masses.
Common history, as disclosed by the
majority received compared with
that OF my predecessors, must tell the
result of that meeting. There We
were well known, especially my OPP
ponents, as they were holding the
two highest offices in the territory.
Here they were fayorably known as
government officials, while I was a
comparative stranger. There were
great interests involved--greater by
far than the mere personal aggrapa-
izement Of these honorable officials.
IN view of the past / could have af-
forded personally to remain silent
and indifferent, but il was not /, but
the whole people Of Dakota who
were arraigned. Bennett, embitter-
ed by a defeat that was robbed of
all hope, lent himself willingly as a
guard OF honor, while Ordway in de-
fiance of both truth and reason,
vented his coarse harangues. Eve
rywhere the 8 gunner" and the
'jedge," as they were characterized,
held forth like braying donkey
and a bleating calf to the gaping
crowd. This figure may not he very
elegant, but it is truthful and appro-
pirate. This is no question OF art,
but one Of mud-throwiug, and ii
calls for the language Of the hod and
trowel. The picture painted by
them was not inspiring or inviting.
In the midst Of their ribaldry
stood determined 10 defend the fair
fame Of those whom had the hon.
or to Represent. Our citizens were
first charged with corruption. Gu,
Legislature was branded as robbers
land sharks and ring thieves''i in open
business operations. Against these
calun,nics felt it my duty to pro-
test and refnte them if possible
While thus engaged proof came Ia
my relief showing Ordways corrup.
ton. / placed on file the slate
ments Of prominent officials and
gentlemen impeaching his integrity
To the same end / had the Ordway
Monthly published containing ex.
clusively sworn statements Of respon,
sible parties still in federal employ
ment, and mean to follow it ii nee
essary with . revised edition show
ing that if this man who deplore.
, and proclaims our want Of honesty
had his lust deserts lie would 81