Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-01-24
HISTORY OF A CONSPIRACY.

but the outlines of the
scheme will make interesting read
ing at this particular time. As
a prelude to the subject Of which We
shall aim to treat, it will be we'll to say
that N. G. Ordway became the governor
Of Dakota in April, $780,. the capital
commission act was conceived in Jam
uary, 1888. Prior to the former date
Mr.. Ordway was a resident of Washing
ton city. There he divided his time
between the duties of sergeant-at-arms
of the house Of representatives and such
work as he could find to do as a lobby
list. In both capacities he is said to
have acquired some wealth offunds and
a deal of information concerning the
doings Of men in both houses of con-
gress, thus securing claims upon their
consideration which resulted in his be.
ing sent to Dakota sworn to administer
upon the affuirs of the Territory as its
governor.
With the g~ubernatorial oath upon his
lips, and with avarice in his heart, MI.
Ordway proceeded to Yankton and
took his seat as governor of Dakota.
The chief business of a governor in
those days was to organize new coun-
ties, and Ordway soon became a prof.
cient organizer. The legislature Of 1881
created a large number of new counties
and thus enlarged the field of useful
ness which the governor had shown
himself so admirably adapted to fill.
The legislature and the governor did
not always agree, but the governor was
liberal with his signature, or imperious
with his veto, according to the exegen-
cies of the case, and the first two years
of his reign passed without any very
serious ruptures between the executive
and the little body'of law makers that
gathered at Yankton.
But the scope Of craftsmanship was
broadening. Men who had hitherto
been driven or led by Ordway begun to
learn that "the old man." like Paddy's
mule (which was broken to single har.
ness by holding a bundle of oats in front
Of the animal) only needed to be shown
a "bundle" in the distance to bring him
within the compass of legislative con-
troll. The fourteenth session of the
Territorial legislature closed with Ord.
way occupying a dictatorial attitude
and the leading members of the legisla'
ture fortified in the determination that
they would open the fifteenth session
of the legislature on the principle oil
equal dividends or have a row with the
governor. In other words, they were
resolved TO have some of the honors
"and SIGH" pertaining to the thrifty
business of organizing new counties, and
and if they couldn't get them they
would make the occupation of the ex.
ecutive a very hazardous one. The
period between the adjournment of the
fourteenth session and the converting
of the fifteenth should hereafter be
known in Dakota history as the incuba'
ton period; for it was during this time
that the capital conspiracy was Matched
The conspirators had no thought of the
ultimate success of the scheme; they
simply desired to bring Ordway to time
compel him to permit them to super.
intend county organization in their re
spective sections and otherwise share
the governors political labors. Sc
when Alex Mckenzie, George H. Walsh
Jud La Moure, Col. 0. NJ Towner, j. O
B. Scoby and a few lesser lights from
South Dakota took their seats in the
three legislative branches at Yanktor
the council, the house and the lobby
in January, 1883, a combination hac
been effected to make the governor dis
tribute his favors among certain legisla
tors and their friends. In fact thu
nucleus Of what is now known as thu
Bismarck ring had been formed, anc
his excellency soon reached the conclu
sion that he must either "ish or Gu
bait" The first assault made by the rim,
upon the gubernatoriul citadel was il
the case of the appointment of commits
sioners for Foster county, then jus
organized, and Mr.. Ordway was forced
to repeal the commissions of three o
his friends and forego the pleasure o
seeing the county seat located accord
ing to his wishes. The next attack wa,
made when Nelson county was about t.
be organized. Col. Towner, who hae
placed himself at the head of a legisla
tive organization known az the EARN
ers' Alliance" demanded that he b.
permitted to name two. of the tire,
Nelson county commissioners. Ordway
arose in the mightiness of his guberna
torial dignity and declared he would
not be coerced; that is to say, he re
fused to concede the power of appoint
ing county commissioners to the legis
lature or any individual holding a sea
in that body. Col. Towner immedi
ately introduced a bill in the house tax
ing the county organization business en-
tirely out of the governors hands. 4
count of noses convinced the governo
that the bill would pass, and he at ono,