The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-06-14

A1dQlSOu, w u.s., SpocldA-fn lily years
ago Tuesday the Territory of Wiscon-
sin ceased to exist, and the first gov
ernor of Wisconsin, Nelson Dewey,
was sworn in. That this event might
be appropriately celebrated, an act of
the legislature and a proclamation OF
the governor has made the day a legal
holiday in the Badger State. The
states most distinguished sons and
daughters are at the capital to cele-
brate fittingly fifty years of statehood.
This cannot be done in one day, how
ever, and so Madison has arranged to
extend it's hospitality to three days,
and each day is to be full of events of
interest to the scholar, the patriot, the
politician. the student and the obesery-
Ell of pageants.
Fifty wears ago when the thirt.eth
star was firmly fixed in the field or
blue, people journeyed from MllWau-
kee to Madison by stage coach. The
journey took almost as many Gays
then as it does hours now by the two
bands of steel which unite the Badger
metropolis and the capital city. Hall
IL century ago the Democrats took pos
session of the state government; to-
day the Republicans direct tle govern
ment machinery. In 1913 WiscOnsin's
fighting sons were returning from war,
where they had aided in acquiring the
vast territory of California and New
Mexico. The treaty of Guadalupe nad
been signed Feb. 2, 1913. Wisconsin
was admitted to the Union May -,
1913 To-day, fifty years afterwards,
WiScOnSin'S sons are again III the neld,
and are sweltering in Georgia and
Florida, preparing to again put the
Latin race to flight and add more area
to the United States. 1t was on June
). 1913. that the first legislature of the
state convened here. To-day, and for
the next two DAYS the semi-centennial
legislature is to be on reception duty
at it's chambers. where it will receive
the survivors Of the legislature of fifty
years ago.
For months Madison has been ar
ranging for the reception of her guests
on this important birthday of the state.
Her invitation to the people Of Wis
consin to join with her in this obesfV-
ance has been very generously accept
ed and the city is full of visitors, ana
every train, carrying passengers at one
half the usual fare, is bringing many
more. The outward show OF the holl-
day consists in decorative eFects OF
red white and blue, reinforced by por-
traits of the nations and the state he
roes, past and present. lnWardly, the
good people of Madison, through thelr
various organizations and the genera
committee, have done their best to
make their visitors feel at home.
The celebration is, and will continue
for the next two days to be success.
1t is to be surpassed only by the car
nival which Milwaukee will have
few weeks hence Everybody who is
anybody, as the saying goes, is here
governors. ex-gOvernorS, literary men
and historians, veterans of the war,
men who served in the Civil war, Wo-
men who are coming to the front
through their clubs, and newspaper
n1lblishers who are feaSting and eX-
changing experiences.
In papers which are being read ana
speeches which are being Delivered,
Wisconsin's manner of living up TO her
motto. Forward is being fittlngly de-
scribed. Many of these addresses Will
no contributions towards state history
of a permanent value.
A Milwaukee special train arrived at
the Northwestern depot a few MN
utes before 1 o'clock. The procession
started from the railway station and
ended in the capitol park. The Uni
versitv band and University regiment
were at the head, followed by the
Madison firemen and ClanderS Dand'
THE first carriage contained GOV.
Bushnell, Gov. Scotield, Mrs. Bushnell
and Miss Wing of Ohio. Then fol-
lowed the staffs of the two governors,
resplendent in their uniforms. Inc
carriages which followed contained
among others, Messrs. Whelan, Peck,
Flanner, Fricke, Mylrea, Casson, Mac
Kenzie, Boyd, Kletzsch, Aeene, Gas.
McI.aren. Anderson, Stickney ana
Thwaites The Arion band OF Oshkosh
followed.
The official opening exercises of the
celebration took place at the UNIVERSE
tv armory building at O'Clock TINS
afternoon. After music and an lnvo-
cation by DR.. James ID. Butler. Gov
Scofield welcomed the visitors on be-
half Of the state, and Maj. G. p. Vine
Ian performed the same office in be
half of the city. A response was made
by Gov. Bushnell Of Ohio.
In the evening the State Press asso
ciation. the state Legislature since 1878.
tho Eastern Star and other organlza-
tons. held banquets. while the yeter-
ans held a grand campfire at Camp
Randall over 1000 veterans are al
tho hictnriC.