The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-12-05

here in the back row for traditional
peroid, and then some of us will work
our way down to the front row."
That prediction is verified already.
Senator Pettigrew is to-day one of the
leading members of the senate, and will
occupy 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 a very
young man he was nominated and
elected delegate in congress from the
great big territory of Dakota. That
was in 1880, 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 Dallo-
| ia. 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 an 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. l saw Frank Pettigrew
| day after day upon the floor of the
house working for statehood, or send
! ing his cards to senator's to urge the
rights of the people upon the senator's
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 1883, a
| bill was passed called 1.-The omnibus
BILL" admitting North Dakota, South
Dakota, Montana and Washington.
The new states came into the union
July 4, 1899.
The Legislature of South Dakota
elected Frank Pettigrew to the senate
and when he came to Washington
! Il
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 wall
into the senate chamber without send
ing in my cards to the great men who
used to come out SO 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 o
his independent vote against the Ha
waiian cable resolution. Although h'
| is republican, he voted with the demo
. | Gratis on that measure. He afterward
) said that no party ties could bind hin
to vote for what he deemed to be wrong
, for his own people, or wrong to any ma
. ton of the earth. He said that part,
, ties were sometimes drawn too tight
, but that he would not be bound to hi
| own detriment or to the injury of hi
own conscience.
: Those who were surprised at the In
! dependent vote of Senator Pettigrew o.
the Hawaiian cable evidently did no
, know what manner of man he is. Tha
: was not his first independent vote in tn
T senate. / remember very we'll the pres
| sure which was brought to bear upo
!, him in 1890, when he was back row
r senator and not recognized in leader
4 ship. He denounced certain feature
of the Mckinley bill and declared tha
he would not vote for the bill. All c
the republican senators went after hin
urging and begging him to vote for th
, bill; but he said no, and he meant N
. When the Mckinley bill came to i'm;
:. vote in the senate, the vote of Senate
, Pettigrew was recorded in the negativ
Senator Plumb, of Kansas, and Senate