Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-11-02

SENATOR PETTIGREw, SOUTH DAKOTA.
here in the back row for a traditional
peroid, and then some of us will work
our way down to the front row."
That prediction is verified already.
Senator Pettigrow is to-day one of the
leading members of the senate, and will
occupy a commanding position during
the Fifty-fourth congress. He is an in
dependent, forceful character, full of
energy, aggressive for his state, cour-
ageous and honorable. When very
young man he was nominated and
elected delegate in congress from the
great big territory of Dakota. That
was in 1850, and he Immediately began
working for the division of the terri
tory into two states. He never let up
nor faltered in his efforts until they
were crowned with success. After he
voluntarily retired from active politics
and engaged in business he continued
working for statehood for South Dako-
ta. He was a leading spirit in the
Sioux Falls convention which in 1885
declared the existence of the sovereign
state of South Dakota, and made un eff
fort to break into the union. From
that time on the fight waXed warmer
and warmer each year. Senator Petit
grew came to Washington and re-
manned here at his own expense during
each session of the congress, urging the
admission of South Dakota. The op-
ponents of the measure were many,
and they were strong men. 1t was an
uphill fight. saw Frank Pettigrew
day after day upon the floor of the
house working for statehood, or send
ing his cards to senators to urge the
rights of the people upon the senators
of both parties. He is tireless work
er, never becomes discouraged with
temporary defeat, but pushes along un-
til success is achieved. Thus he worked
for South Dakota, and at last, in 1888, a
bill was passed called "the omnibus
BILL" admitting North Dakota, South
Dakota, Montana and Washington.
The new states came into the union
July 4, 1889.
The legislature of South Dakota
elected Frank Pettigrew to the senate,
and when he came to Washington ]
asked him what sort of a sensation he
experienced when he realized that he
had really been elected to the senate,
and he replied: my first thought hon
estly was that should be able to walk
into the senate chamber without send
ing in my cards to the great men who
used to come out 80 reluctantly to see
me. 1t was a sensation of triumph
which was greater than personal pride
in my election"
During the last session of congress
Senator Pettigrew caused considerable
speculation and excitement because of
his Independent vote against the Ha-
waiian cable resolution. Although he
is a republican, he voted with the demo-
Gratis on that measure. He afterwards
said that no party ties could bind him
to vote for what he deemed to be wrong
for his own people, or wrong to any ma.
tion of the earth. He said that party
ties were sometimes drawn too tight
but that he would not be bound to his
own detriment or to the injury of his
own conscience.
Those who were surprised at the in
dependent vote of Senator Pettigrew or
the Hawaiian cable evidently did not
know what manner of man he is. That
was not his first independent vote in the
senate. l remember very we'll the pres
sure which was brought to bear upon
him in 1890, when he was "back row
senator and not recognized in leader
ship. He denounced certain features
of the Mckinley bill and declared thai
he would not vote for the bill. All oi
the republican senator's went after him
urging and begging him to vote for the
bill; but he said no, and he meant no
When the Mckinley bill came to tina
vote in the senate, the vote of Senator
Pettigrew was recorded in the negative
Senator Plumb, of Kansas, and Senator
Paddock, of Nebraska, voted mo" will
Senator Pettigrew on that bill.
When the senate is reorganized mex
December Senator Pettigrew will b,
made chairman of the committee OIL
Indian affairs. 1t will be an excellen
chairmanship for him, because Their
are so many Indians in South Dakotl
for whom legislation is necessary, an,
in whose behalf the executive depart
ment of the government should exer
itself. During the Harrison admins
t7ation Senator Pettigrew did not sc
cure proper consideration when h
sought executive action for the Indians
But. ns chairman of the committee O.