The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-15
FUR FIGURED IN FIGHT
G. ID. GILFILLAN's "REMINISCENCES
OF EARLY MINNESOTA POLITICS

AcTTitoFIal contest between the
Friends and the Foes of the Fur
Company - Historical Society
Listens to an Interesting Address
by a Pioneer Settler.
The members of the State Historical
society celebrated ST. Valentines day
by meeting at their rooms in the CAPT
tol, electing q quintet of new members
and listening to a thoroughly interest
ing paper by Hon. Charles D. Gilfllan
of Redwood Falls, on the EARLY Politi-
cal History of Minnesota
Inc meeting proper was held in the
society rooms. The rev members elect
ed were Frank NJ. Anderson, of the
state university; Frederick M Catlin
Of Ste Paul; Fremont n. Jayne, of Min
neapOhs; DR.. Frank L. McVey, of the
state university, and William r. Stone
Of Duluth. 1t was decided to inaugu-
rate in the near future a series of five
historical lectures free to the public tC
be given at the capitol during the re-
nlainder Of the winter. These lectures
will bear on the history Of the state
university and will be given by promi-
nent citizens.
Mr.: Gilfllan's paper was read in the
senate chamber. At the conclusion OF
its reading, the subject was discussed
in an interesting fashion by Judge
Flandrau, Col. W. P. Clough, H. L.
Moss, William Pitt, Murray, Mr.. Gilfil-
Ian himself, and others. The substance
of the paper is as follows:
In his paper Mr.. Gilfllan said in part:
After the admission OF the state of Wis
consin into the Federal Union. that part
of the territory OF that name. outside of the
state lines. was left in an uncertain politi-
cal condition. The general opinion pre-
vailed that this section was still under the
laws passed by the territory of Wisconsin,
and that the governor and the secretary of
the territory were still occupying the same
positions in reference to the section sliced
off 1t was. however, thought best that
agent be sent to Washington to urge the
creation of a new territory. Prominent citi-
zens from different sections of the outside
territory met at Saltwater and selected for
this purpose Mr.. Sibley, who was then at
the head Of the American Fur company.
No politics entered into this selection; it
was because Mr.. Sibley was then the most
eminent and influential person in the re-
gion. Mr.. Sibley proceeded to Washington.
After a lapse of a few months, an act
creating the new territory passed and
MT. SlDiey admitted as its delegate, under
what might be called 'squatter" cleo
ton. President Taylor appointed Alexander
ramsey governor OF the new territory OF
Minnesota. He arrived in ST. Paul in the
latter part of May. 1849, and shortly there
after issued his official proclamation, de-
claring the territory organized and provid-
ed for the election and the meeting Of a
legislature.
In a convention held Oct. 20. 1s49
platform was adopted, according to
It's own language embracing the principles
OF Jefferson. Madison. Monroe, Jackson and
Polk. The latter had already almost sunk
into forgetfulness. but the memories of fat
gifts OF patronage still fingered in the
minds of few members of the convention
Rice does not appear to have been pres
ent upon the occasion Of this convention
nor Mr.. Sibley. either. The latter, how
ever, wrote letter, affirming his faith in
the political principles Of Jefferson. But
he continued to cooperate with those citl-
zens who thought 1t their paramount duty
TO work together to advance the interests OF
the territory. In August, 1850 a coalition
OF anti-Sfbley Democrats and Wings brought
out Col. Mitchell as candidate against Sib-
ley for delegate to congress. This election
resulted strongly in favor of Sibley
A very bitter feud arose between the mem
bers of the American Fur company and Mr.
Rice. who had formerly been a member of
the company. The Fur company claimed
that Mr.. Rice had acquired title to that
part of st. Paul then known as the upper
town, and held it in like manner as the
title to kittson's addition and other prop
erty in lower town held-simply for
the benefit of the Fur company Mr. Rice
had given away many lots in upper town
and had sold many, and the man above
all others instrumental in building up that
section. Outside of the members of the Fur
company, he was admired for his generosity
and public spirit.
To recover this property. a suit in chan
Gerry was brought by the fur company
against Mr.. Rice. charging him with all
sorts OF fraud. The feeling Of bitterness
spread from the principals to their ad-
herents throughout the territory. extending
to judges. jurors and officers of the court
well as to the legislature, and justice
was but little regarded. AS an instance Of
the extravaganza OF official conduct there
can be found, in the first or second Mime
sofa supreme court reports, a footnote. by
the official reporter, to the effect that. TT
is bat justice to Mr.. Rice to say, that he
denies each and every one of the charges
in the bill" This. l think is the only
instance in any law report published
in the English language where a
reporter stepped out Of his official
line to defend parties to law suit. The
majority of the legislature was "fur," and
they created new judicial districts, to which
they banished inimical judges. and where
they would have no judicial functions to
perform.
l. Naught came of this suit and with it's
disappearance. and with the Withdrawal of
the American Fur company from the Indian
trade. the political influence of Mr. Rice
assembled rapidly, while that OF Mr.. Sibley
declined. At the next delegate election, Mr.
Rice became the candidate Of the Democratic
party, and was elected by a large majority
over Alexander Wilkn. who in
dependent Wing. Some Wings and nearly
all of the Democrats supported Mr. Rice
By this time it became apparent that the
political elements of Minnesota were Demo-
power, he became and continued the IN
doubted leader Of his party for eight years.
During the days OF the territory there
was never any general organization of the
Wings as q party. Some of them voted
with the Rice Democrats, but the greater
number with the sibley side: However, at
saltwater. there was a small and very Sc
lect body of Wings. who met in conven-
ton, and nominated a straight VIII e ticket.
They polled fftytwo votes and elected a
member of the house of representatives.
The latter kept the house nearly three
weeks from organizing, in the attempt to
force his own election as speaker. This e.
fort cost nearly ten thousand dollars But.
as Uncle Sam paid the bills, it did not
excite much indignation On the score of
economy. This representative then COM
promised upon the proposition TO elect his
Thus ended the first and only attempt 10
act as a separate party.
During the next four years the Demo-
Gratis had everything their own way. but
they were divided into factions. A prom
nent man among them was David ON listed.
who led during a part of this PERIOD the
anti-Rice forces. After the appointment of
he also joined the anti-Rice forces. and
endeavored to build up a Democratic party
In opposition to Mr.. Rice but the latter
possessed too many friends. particularly
among the old settlers. to be supplanted
by a new conner. In 1854 the passage of the
ocratc administration in Kansas shocked
the anti-s,avery sentiment OF the North
and made a deep impression In Minnesota.
Many of the Democrats threw off allegian
to their party. while others resolved to
fight the slavery propaganda inside of
strongly antl-slavery, most of them former