The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-10-26

NrB
SENATOR PETT1oREw, 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 Pettigrew is to-day one of the
leading members OF the senate, and will
occupy commanding position during
the Fifty-fourth congress. lie is an in
dependent. forceful character, full of
energy. aggressive for his state, cour-
ngeous and honorable. When q 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 FILTERED in his efforts until they
were crowned with success. After he
voluntarily retired from active politics
and engaged in business he continued
working for statchood'for South Dalxo-
IN. He was a leading spirit In the
Sioux Falls convention which in 1885
declared the existence OF the sovereign
fort 10 break into the union. From
that time on the fight waxcd warmer
and warmer each year. Senator Petit
grew came to Washington and re-
zdhincd here ut his own expense during
each session Of the congress, urging the
4, admission of South Dakota. The OPP
lponcnts of the measure were many,
and they were strong men. IL was an
uphill fight. / saw Frank Pettigrew
day after day upon the floor of the
house working for statehood, or send
ing. his cards 10 senators 10 urge the
rights OF the people upon the senator's
of both parties. lie is n tireless work
err, never becomes discouraged with
temporary defeat, but pushes along un-
ill success Is achieved. Thus he worked
for South Dakota, and at last, in 1883, a
bill was passed called "thc 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,
Und when he came 10 Washington j
asked him what sort of sensation he
experienced when he realized that he
Ind really been elected TO the senate.
and he replied: my first thought hon
estiy was that / should be able TO walk
into the senate chamber without send
Ing In my cards to the great men who
used 10 come out so reluctantly to sec
me. IL was q sensation OF triumph
which WINS greater than personal pride
in my election"
During the last session of congress
Senator Pcttigrew caused considerable
speculation and excitement because of
his independent vote against the Ha-
waiian cable resolution. Although he
Is republican, he voted with the demo-
Gratis on that measure. lie afterwards
said that no party tees could bind him
TO vote for what he deemed 20 be wrong
for his own people. or wrong to any ma
ton Of the earth. lie said that party
ties were sometimes drawn too tight,
but that he would not be bound 20 his
own dctrimcnt or 20 the injury OF his
own conscience.
Those who were surprised at the I'M
dependent vote of Senator Pcttigrcw or
the Hawaiian cable evidently did not
know what manner OF man he Is. That
was not his first independent vote In tho
rcnntc. ] remember very well the pres
sure which was brought 20 bear upon
him In 1890, when he was "bacl< row"
senator and not recognized in leader
ship. lie denounced certain features
of the Mckinley bill aud declared that
he would not vote for the bill. All Of
the republican senator's went after him,
urging and Begging him 10 vote for the
bill; but he said no. and he meant no.
When the Mckinley bill came 10 final
vote In the senate, the vote OF Senator
pcttigrcw was recorded in the negative.
Senator Plumb. OF Knnsns. and Senator
Paddock. OF Nebraska. voted mo" with
Senator pcttlgrcw on that bill.
When the senate rs rcorgunixcd next
December Senator Pcttlgrcw viii be
mndc chairman of the committee on
Indian affairs. II will lie an excellent
chnirmnnship Tor him, because there
are 70 mnny Indians In South Dakota
Tor whom legislation IS necessary. and
an whose behalf the executive depart
,ncnt OF The government should exert
itself During the Harrison ndmlnis-
TRITON Senator pctii0fcw did not We
cure proper consideration when he
sought excrufite action for the Indians.
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