St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-06

| they are, as maJuer Oh history, parts OIL Lne
man, and make him, what he really is, one
of the most popular of the old politicians and
of the old settlers
WHEN AND WHERE BoRN-wHAT HE HAS
DONE.
Mr.. Ramsey was born in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, in 1915, of Scotch decent on
his fathers side and of German descent on
his mothers. He was left an orphan at the
age of ten years; was employed as clerk in
a store at Harrisburg, and in
1928 was engaged in the office of the regis
ter of deeds of Dauphin county; subsequent
ly worked at the carpenter trade, but drifted
out of this into the study of law; and after
leaving the Lafayette college, entered several
law offices, and was admitted to practice in
1889, occupying some of mis- time however,
in teaching school. Mr.. Barnes, in his his
tory of the Fortieth congress, says:
During the celebrated Harrison campaign
Of 1910, Mr. Ramsey took prominent part,
and was that fall chosen secretary of the
electoral college of the state of Pennsylvania.
In 1871 he was elected chief clerk of the
house of representatives. In 1S43 he was
nominated for congress from the district
composed of Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuyl-
kill counties and served in the 2Sth congress
! GS43-4.) He was reelected in 1914, a
member of the 29th congress. his term end
ing March 4, 1914. During these years Mr..
Ramsey became well known, not only in his
own state, but widely among public men of
the country, as evincing those qualities of
sagacity and firmness, which have been
so marked during his whole career. As
chairman of the Wing state committee in
1913, he contributed largely to the election of
Gen Zach. TAYLOR to the presidency. When
that brave old soldier was inaugurated, it be-
came his duty to appoint the officers OF Min
nesota Territory, and he at once rendered
the governship to Mr.. Ramsey, which was ac
cepted. His commission is dated April 2,
1849, and he Immediately proceeded to re
move, with his family, to his new home.
And here it should be remarked, that Gov.
Ramsey was married in 184S to Miss Anna
Z. jerks, of Newtown, Pennsylvania.
''Gov. Ramsey arrived at the scene of his
official duties on May 81, 1849, and four
DAYS afterwards. with the other territorial
officers who had arrived issued a proclama-
ton declaring the territory organized and
the machinery of law in operation. When
the first Legislature met, in September, it be
slowed on one of the first counties created,
and at that time the most pOpulous and
wealthy, the name OF Minnesota's first gov
ernor, deserved and just compliment
Gov. Ramsey took early measures to pro-
cure the extingushment of Indian titles, by
treaty, etc, and by negotiations made at Men
dota and Traverse des Sioux, in 1851, the
valuable lands near Lake Pepin, and
40, 900, 900 acres in what now constitutes
southern Minnesota, were thrown open to
settlers. In the fall of 1851 he made treaty
with the northern Chippewas, for the cession
by them Of thirty miles on each side of the
Red river, which was not ratified. In 1868,
he made another treaty and the whole Red
river valley was opened up to settlement.
Gin 1853 Gov Ramseys term closed, and
in 1855 he was elected mayor of st. Paul.
In 1857 when the Republican convention
met, he was nominated for first state Gov
ernOr, but was unsuccessful in the contest.
Two years later he was again nominated, and
this time elected by majority of 1852 in
vote of 3S,9lS. At this time the
state was considerably in debt, taxes difficult
to collect, and many other troubles were to
be met, but his administration was a very
successful one. The following year the re
bellion broke out, and this laid new duties
and responsibilities IN the governor One
was the proper offering of the regiments
from the state, but the very fact that a large
proportion of colonies appointed by him, were
ultimately promoted to brigadiers and sever
al to major generals, while every officer with
the exception of too few to notice, made
good record, is proof enough that the selec-
tons were wisely made, of men who have
done honor to our state on the field.
''In 1861 Gov. Ramsey was reelected.
During his second term the Sioux outbreak
occurred, adding still further to the respon
sibilities of the position, but ultimately peace
and security were restored to the frontier. In
January, 1868, GOV. Ramsey was elected
United States senator for six years, and re-
elected in 1869, serving twelve years in all.
During this period, he was on several i'm
portant standing committees, postoffice and
postroads among them Postal reform occu-
pied much of his attention, He first intro
duced the bill for the repeal of the ranking
abuse, and visited France in 1869 to urge
cheap international postage, which has
since been accomplished. He also aided,
as far as possible, the con-
struction of the Northern Pacific Railroad.
He was especially active in securing the
survey and improvement of the Upper Mis-
sissippi river and branches by the general
government. In 1880 was appointed Secre
tary of War by President Hayes, and for
short time was Secretary of the Navy. He
labored earnestly and continually for the
interests of the great Northwest and his
services to this section, and to the country as
a whole, will be gratefully remembered long
after he has passed away. Some of the eX-
tracts from his messages predicting the
future growth of the territory, seem almost
prophetic. He evinced his own faith in its
future success. by large and judicious invest
ments in real estate, which, ultimately have
become of great value, and are the bulk OF a
comfortable fortune. s.
Mr. Ramsey is now one of the Commits
sioners appointed by President Arthur, to in
quire into the affairs of Utah, and if possible
remodel that degenerated territory. His
family originally consisted of three children,
two boys and girl; the boys died in infan
cy and the daughter is now married.
MR.. RAMSEY AS A MAN.
The bold, Scotch-German face, pleasant
smile, white hair, stalwart form and
open, frank, free manners of Gov.
Ramsey, make him a marked character
on the street, or in society. He has
great command over his feelings,
and can greet an enemy, especially if he has
any point to gain, as cordially as his best
friend; indeed, in such case, he is a good
deal more cordial He has been in Office, al
most uninterruptedly, for forty-four years,
or nearly half century and in this particu-
lar surpasses all other men in his adaptation
to political life. One of the great and strong
points in his character, is his non -committal-
ism, especially before election. When
called upon, however, to de-
clare uDOn GREAT state or ma
tional questions, he never shrank from the
ordeal and decided in bluff, of-hand man
ner, which, in early years, gave him the
name of 'Bluff Alex" He is exceedingly
cordial in his ways; makes everybody think
ha ic o al frin,,d nIroiaS I'll