The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1889-01-11

Gov. Osborn is essentially western
man, and knows our people, our needs,
our capabilities, not only by theory but
in practice. He came to Kansas when
that state was struggling territory
in 1857 and grew up with that common
wealth. In 1877 he was appointed as
the envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentlary of the United States to
Chilli, succeeding DR.. Logan, a brother
in-law of the late Gen. Logan. During
his service as such he was president of
the international conference, which
met to consider plans for settling the
war between that country and Peru and
Bolivia, and which resulted so satisfac-
torilY to all concerned. He also was
engaged in the negotiations as to the
settlement of the boundary dispute in
Patagonia and Terra del Fuego be-
tween Chill and the Argentine repub:
lie, for which service he received the
public thanks of both governments.
In 1881 he was advanced to be minis
ter to Brazil, which position he held
until 1885, when he returned to Kansas,
his first love, and has remained there
since, as usual active, intelligent and
influential in politics. He led the
Kansas delegation at the convention
which nominated Gen. Harrison, and
worked earnestly for his election.
If a western man is to receive this
place. and 1t is generally believed that
adapted for the position, by location.
party and to the country, than Thomas
A. Osborn, of Kansas.
We copy the following compliment
tory expressions respecting Goyernor
Osborn with pleasure, and add little
further in the way of biographical
statements to show his early aptitude
for, and his subsequent training in the
direction of the management of public
affairs.
Immediately after completing a
course of law studies in Pennsylvania,
he went to the territory of Kansas and
spent his first winter of 1878 at Law
renee aiding in getting out The Herald
of Freedom, and where he had as an
associate at the case on that paper
p. B. Plumb, now United States Sena-
tor.
The following spring he removed to
Doniphon county where he began the
practice of his profession. keeping his
mind actively directed toward the con-
tlict then going on with the aggres-
siye pro-slavery leaders from Missouri,
and keeping at the same time, the peo-
pie of the north we'll advised upon the
same subject by series Of brightly
written letters to eastern newspapers.
Becoming of age that fall he was
elected county attorney and the follow
ing summer chosen lieutenant gov
ernor and president Of the senate of
the first free state legislature-being
the youngest member Of the entire
legislative body.
Continuing the practice of his pro-
fession till the breaking out of the war
he went into the border military SER
vice with the crowd of Kansans, and
naturally drifted to Leavenworth, then
become the military and political
center of the new state.
Here, after the close of the war, he
organized an association for the pub
lication of The Leavenworth Daily
Conservative, being the president and
controlling mind of the enterprise.
After his election as Governor as
noted, some OF the practical things &C.
complished by him, and showing his
industry, his ability to go down into
the details of public matters, and the
real bent of his mind were the secur-
ing from the general government for
the permanent school fund of the state
money in percentages on sale of public
lands, and lands in lieu of the 18th and
Both sections Withheld in reservations
or granted to railroads, colleges, etc
an increase worth now between So 900,
600 and 81, 100000 and obtaining credit
in the state military account of hun.
dreds of thousands of dollars more
thereby putting the credit of the state
upon as solid q foundation as that Of
the state of Ohio.
The plainest of plain American pub
lie men, thoroughly western in hi:
ideas and manner, he has today as firm
q grasp on all territorial und frontie
matters as Allison or Plumb; ant
would bring into the management o,
the interior department mind wei
trained in forms of territorial govern
ment, in the operation of the public
land laws, familiar with the Pacifi
railroad questions and Indian affairs
with mining and with the variou
farming and grazing interests of the
western half of the country.
In no sense coming in conflict with
the aspirations of Iowa for a differen
place for one of her eminent men, tn
president-elect might well homo
Kansas, the whole Mississippi
region. and the entire country by put
ting the name of Governor Osborn
among the list of his advisers.