The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-06-24
Reunion at Lansing of the Surviv.
ing Michigan Legislators Of
Fifty Years.
A Meeting Replete with Historic
Incident and Personal
Renaissance.
Interesting Addresses and Valuable Con
tributions to State Legislative
History.


expectations, nearly six hundred members
of the Legislature being present, besides
many otherwise distinguished men, in
GLIDING Senators Copger and Palmer.
Governors Alger, Begole, jerome, and
Felch. The last named, who is President
of the Legislative Association and was
member of the first Legislature ever held
in the State, called the meeting to order In
Representatives Hall. Governor Alger
made an address of welcome. 1t seemed
superfuous to him to extend a welcome.
They were all mt home again. If one would
ask why Michigan was great, let the ques-
toner come here and read the character of
the men who have guided the State and he
will be answered To-day everybody be-
longed to the same party-that is, the re-
union party. President Felch, in respnse
to the welcome, made deeply inter-
esting address on the legislative his
tory of Michigan, which held the closest
attention of the audience. He said:
"More than fifty years have passed since
the State was organized, and you will not
wonder that..one who participated IN Its
events and whose bosom glowed with the
ardor then kinded in every heart looks
back with proud and beating heart to this
birthday of our commonwealth. l have
watched the progress of our republic, and
/ feel in my heart that no State In the
union has made truer or greater progress or
has more reason TO be proud of its record.
The peculiarties of early legislation were
dwelt upon at length, and the gradual
change from the crude territorial laws to
broader and more popular legislation de-
tailed The early Legislators laid the foun-
dation stones with the vision of the future
bright before them. The legislation which
has resulted in the States magnificent
educational system was carefully sketched,
as well as the judicial, internal improve
ment, geological survey, and banking sys-
tens. "The first fifty years have passed.
he said in conclusion. Its history -
written in letters of gold. 1t is not for us
who have seen all from the beginning to
remain until the great future shall be dis
closed, but we can read the bright signs OF
promise that rest upon 1t, and join IN the
song of Thanksgiving"
The members of Legislatures of the sos
and prior yeal> were seated Mt the front
upon the right Of the Speaker. Their
numbers were few. Upon tie left were
seated the members of Legislatures of the
SOS. Conspicuous among them were ex-
Gov. Jerome and Senator Conger. AS the
roll-call proceeded each member present
arose and answered to his name. Clerk
Crossman read the outline of public service
of each. The record of Senator Conger
was longer than that of any other in the
list, including terms in the House and
Senate, in constitutional conventions and
the National House of Representatives and
Senate. A list almost as long was that of
x~Gov. Felch and ex- Senator Ferry.
It was seen after a while that to recapitu-
late the list of services of each member
would take an interminable time, leaving
scarcely opportunity for any other business.
The names alone were called after that.
Clerk Crossman, however, pointed out the
record of the senior member present,
Townsend f. Gidley, of Grand Haven,
aged 81. whereupon the house compli-
mented the old gentleman with a round OF
applause.
Col. Andrew T. McReynolds, of Grand
Rapids. delivered IA long address on toledo
and the Mexican War from a Michigan
Standpoint"
At the close of his address Col. Mercy
nolds spoke of the resolution in favor of
the Mexican War passed by the Legislature
of 1S47 with but three negative votes, say
ing il showed the preponderlnce of feeling
of the people on the war question.
II. b. Lathrop, of Ionia, said he was one
of the three that voted against that reso-
luton, but that his vote was not because
he opposed war measures, but because OF
Objectionable phrases in the word ng OF
the resolution itself.
II. w. Landon, of Niles, said he was
present Mt the passage of the resolution in
question, and was now glad to learn that
there really was no opposition to it.
The remark was applauded, the audience
being apparently in the mood to stir up de.
bate among the veterans of 1S47.
Hon. William T.. Wells delivered an elo.
uuent address on "1he Legislative Powe
in Free Commonwealth. The matter al
we'll as the manner of Mr.. Wells address
was such as to win the closest attention o.
the audience at the close of wearisom,
session. and rot only to win its attention
but TO evoke the most frequent and tn,
heartiest applause. TWAS signal triumph
of the power OF intellect and the graces o.
oratory
The address of Hon. Byron c. Stout of
Pontiac upon Agriculture and Stock Breed
ing. was thoughtful and scholarly. Mr.
Stout showed how the march of modern
civilization had brought our farmers face tC
face with the competition Of other lands I,
such an extent that il might not be hazard
Gus 10 predict that the time was coming
when foreign wheat might be sold in tn,
Atlant ports for less than American whea
could be delivered there. A deduction
drawn from this was the desirability of en-
couraging stock growing. and the illimita
BILE field offered for this industry in tn,
United States.
The address Of Hon. Orlando M. Barnet
upon the State Capitol was an interestin,
recital of the legislative battle which re
suited in the choice of Lansing. The de
velopment from the forest TO the presen
beautiful city and magnificent State Hous'
was eloquently sketched. The address
closed with scholarly review of the VS.
dom of thechoice and study of the in
fiuences OF modern travel upon Legislation
and the dispatch of business at the Stat
Capitol.
Probably the address most atentivel
listened 70 was that of Hon. ID. l.. Cross
man. for many years Clerk of the House o
Representatives. This address recounte'
incidents of Legislative "reminiscences. III
fold the history o. the Senatorial contest
of 1871, 1875, 1877, 1881, 1888; the culmina
ton of the defeat of Chandler in 1875 wa
told. and the fiuctuaing. closely conteste,
match i'm which the fortunes OF John j
BaQfey went down in 1870 TO 1880. Tn
lon9 struggle Of 1883 in which. after eighty
one ballots and roll calls, involving tn