The Saint Paul globe., 1898-07-27
CAPITAL CORNER STONE
Continued from First p.r.

The committee sent It's report 70 the
house on Jan. Is. 1849, when a majority
of the committee reported In favor Of
taking in the new territory. The re-
port was adopted.
MINNESOTA WAS AMBITIOUS.
Gen. Sibley's first work was to se-
cure the organization of the Minnie
sofa territory, says J.I Fletcher Will
liams' History of.St. Paul" IIpon
consultation it was deemd best that
bill should be introduced from the
committee on territories in the senate.
It was prepared by Hon. Stephen A.
Douglass, who sent a draft of the bill
to Mr.. Sibley. Gen. lSibley noticed that
Mendoza had been designated as the
capitol, when 1t had been the wish of
a majority to have ST, Paul selected
as the seat Of government. Gen. Sih-
ley urged that change was desired
as people generally favored st. Paul
Mr.. Douglass, who had some time be-
fore visited Mendoza, was greatly
pleased with the geographical sur
roundings of Mendoza, and opposed
moving the capitol to st. Paul. He ar
gued that, being at the confluence of
two Important rivers, it was a most
desirable place for the capitol. He
thought that pilot knob, Mendoza.
would be beautiful spot for the edi.
flee, and expressed himself In NO un-
certain way.
After the destiny of the two places
had hung wavering in the balance for
several days. Mr.. Douglass conceded
to the desires Of Mr.. Sibley and the
ST. Paul people.
A bill providing for the organization
Of the territory and making st. Paul
the capitol was introduced. and met
with great deal Of opposition in the
house, and particularly in the senate.
Hon. H. M. Rice arrived in Washing
ton a few days after the Introduction
of the bill, and abetted the efforts Of
Mr.. Sibley. 1t was only after a hard
fought contest that we'll earned VIC
tory crowned the efforts of the North
western pioneers who prayed for the
life of the Northwestern country. The
bill was approved by Zachary Taylor.
president of the United States, on
March 3, 1S49.
In those days news did not travel
very rapidly, and at that season of the
year, when winter was breaking up. it
required just five weeks for news to
reach st. Paul from Prairie du Chen.
which was the nearest railroad point.
There was great joy in st. Paul when
the news was first Received in April.
and the few traders and merchants
then in st. Paul took new lease on
life, and felt that it, was, indeed a. red
letter day for the territory of Mime
sofa when recognized by. the national
government and authorized to perfect
civil government for the. people with
in it's limits. H.
Minnesota was then nothing more
than a Wilderness. with it's vast ex-
panse Of forest and plains, millions Of
acres of which had; never been explor-
ed by white man.: and the territory
west of the Mississippi river was still
unceded to the United States by the
Indian tribes living in this section.
At that time Minnesota contained
about 4,50O people. including a large
number of immigranst who had but
recently come into the territory.
On July Z, 1S49, Gov. Alexander Ram
sey, Who had been appointed COVER
nor Of the territory a short time be-
fore, by proclamation fixed the bounda-
ries of the several legislative districts.
The legislature convened Sept. 8, 1849,
and consisted of a council of nine
members and a house of eighteen mem
bars. aas
David OImsted was elected president
Of the council and J. w. Furber as
speaker of the house. ~
MOVE FOR A CAPITOL.
At that session of the Legislature an
appropriation of s20,003 was made to
construct capitol building. 'erhe
Central House." log cabin, weather.
boarded, situated at. Minnesota and
Beach streets, on the present site of
the old Mannnheiner block on East
Third street, was utilized during the
term of Gov. Ramsey as 1.-THE Capitol
A local newspaper commented at the
ON 40 Jc1 iofo
surroundings as follows:
Both houses met in the dining hall. where
Rev. e. u. Neill prays for us all. and Gov.
Ramsey delivers a message full of hope and
far,sighted prophecy to comfort us withal;
and then leaves the poor devils Stirring On
rough board benches to work out as they
may the old problem OF self government
through the appalling labyrinth Of parlia-
mentary rules and tactics that perplex t-eir
souls.
While the first capitol was not honor
ed with corner stone, such as will be
laid To-Day, yet those hardy frontiers
men who laid the corner stone of pco-
gresSive civilization maIie possible the
beautiful white marble structure of to-
day.
On the lower floor of the Central
house was situated the secretary Of
states Office and the house OF repre-
sentatives, and the upper floor contain
ed the council chamber and the other
state offices. The question of a per-
nlanent location of the capitol of Min
nesota came UP and many favored re-
moving it to st. Anthony. The fight
Of 1S49 en- this subject, was the first of
a series of endeavors to wrest from St.
Paul the capitol, in 1851, 1857, 1869 and
1872.
The location was OF settled upon at
this session Of theS Legislature, but at
the close Of the session it was drawn
battle, and st. Paul still remained the
seat of government. Gov. Ramsey was
authorized to go ahead and rent build
ings, in which to carry on the state
government. Gov. Ramsey always kept
his office at his residence, on what is
now known as Walnut street, and the
supreme court was Guartered at differ
erS times In various locations before the
first capitol was completed.
When the legislature of 1851 convened
the fight was again resumed. Congress
had appropriated $4,000 the previous
year for a prison and also authorized
the governor and legislature to eXpend
the appropriation of $4,000, provided
for in the organic act for capitol build
ings. The session was a stormy one.
1t was at this session of the Iegisla-
ture that it was decided to leave the
capitol at st. Paul, and the university
at ST. Anthony and the prison at Still
water. The legislature this year met in
4. brick building, which occupied the
present site Of the Metropolitan hotel.
building commission. similar to the
present board of capitol commissioners
was elected, consisting of D. F. Braw-
ley, J. McKusick, L. Robert and E. A.
G. Hatch, The architect was N. G.
Prentiss, who secured the contract for
the erection of the hIIil1inp for S33 900
although the ultimate cost Of the origi-
nal building exceeded $4,000 The
building was commenced at once, but
not cnmnIeted until 1899 The IeoisIat t1lra