St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-19
THE FIRST GOVERNOR.
EIe ction and Administration OF
the Earliest Executive.

EIe CtlOn and Administration Oh
the Earliest Executive.
After valuable services in the terri
torial legislature upon his retirement
from congress, Mr.. Sibley was chosen
the first governor of the new state. His
biographer says:
None familiar with the history of the
territory could have doubted for mo-
ment, upon whom, first OF all, the title
"His Excellency, the Governor of the
State of Minnesota, would fall. The
election for state officers, held Oct. 13,
1857, when the constitution was ratified,
revealed the fact that Hon. Henry Hast
ings Sibley was the popular choice.
The contest between himself and Hon.
Alexander Ramsey, ex-governor OF the
territory, a gentleman of high standing
and influence. was close and sharp. but
the victory clear and conclusive. The
ballot had lifted Mr.. Sibley to the en-
inent position of the first chief executive
officer OF the newborn state OF Mime
sofa, the first Democratic governor, and
the only Democratic governor the state
has ever possessed
June 8, 1858. was a dies nOtablllS in
the history of Minnesota. the day of the
first message of the governor of the
yened Dec. 2, 1857. Informed by spe-
clal committee that both houses were
assembled in joint convention, waiting
his eXcellency's presence, or any com
munIcation from his hand, Gov. Sibley
appeared in person, and-lntroduced by
the assembly-proceeded to deliver his
inaugural. His first utterance was:
Our expression of gratitude to AL
mighty God that we have been pre-
served, in our transition state from a
territory to state government, from
the anarchy which has afflicted the peo-
pie of sister territory under like cir
cumStances." After referring to the
delay of Minnesota's admission. the wis
dom of economy In government. the Sc
verify of the financial crisis, the I'M
portance of adequate banking laws, the
condition of the railroads, the claims of
the common schools, the need of organ
izng the militia torce of the state, and
the magnificent future for Minnesota
guided by virtuous, Intelligent, edu-
Gated and religious people, he took up
the question OF state bonds. Reminding
the legislature that the public faith of
the state was possibly endangered, and
her credit loaned out to various char
tered companies, he gave no uncertain.
sound as to what was his purpose in the
case. "As guardian of the interests OF
the state" said he, Il shall, during my
official term, without being unreason-
ably strict with these railroad assocla-
tons. require TO be satisfied by unqueS-
tionable evidence that they have COM
piled as well with the spirit as with
the letter of the amendment authoriz-
ing the loan, and that they are conduct
ing their operations as parties to the
tyit nnnntn ctatn
good faith before will consent to deliv-
er over to them any portion OF her
bonds"
The relation Of Gov. Sibley to the
Minnesota state bonds during his adj
ministration was a relation in every
way most homo rable to himself, both
personally and officially. A regret was
once expressed by the governor, and
shared in by his friends, that he had
not resisted the decision of the supreme
court, and refused to obey its writ. This
was but natural under the clrcunl-
stances. He was under no compulslon
to conform his executive action to the
order of the court, which was only CO.
ordinate. not superior, branch OF the
state government, poWerleSS to enforce
its mandate ON the chief executive, who
was independent of its jurisdiction.
Nor. had he seen fit to disrespect the
writ, could the supreme court have
awaited itself of the fact that, as yet, the
independence of The executive had not
been judicially declared. The consti-
tuition is above the court, and guaran-
tees this independence. Notwith-
standing this, his character shines all
the more brightly in this, that preferring
to avoid the scandal of an open conflict
between the two coordinate branches
of government. bringing damage to the
credit Of the state in crisis so impor-
ia MT he waived legal techDicality,
anxious only that both branches of gov
eminent might stand shoulder to Shout
der, and effect the best posi-
BILE result in the matter of
loan so enormous to the in
FAINT state as that of S5,000,000. All that
remained for the governor 10 do was to
exact, vigorously. every requirement Of
the law. protect to the utmost the credit
of the state, and so afford the railroad
companies the least opportunity Of de-
fault. If blame rests anywhere it would
seem to rest upon the supreme court in
entertaining case over which it had
no jurisdiction by the constitution. Re-
slstance to the mandate would have
been lll-adyised under the circum-
stances.