Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-02


completed what was regarded as good
education In those times.
The first public position that was held by
Mr.. Saunders was that OF postmaster at
Mount Pleasant and he acted In that capacity
for seven years. In 1s46 he assisted In
framing the constitution under which Iowa
was admitted to the union. About this time
he began to take an active interest in poll
tics. When Polk was elected president one
OF his hrst acts was to remove Mr.. Saunders
from his position as postmaster. Inasmuch
As he had taken the Office when no one else
would have II because II paid only $40
year, his friends insisted that he had been
shabbily treated and their representation
induced him TO become a delegate to the
constitutional convention. He was elected
and from that time until toward the end OF
his career he was a conspicuous and active
figure in western politics.
In 1854 Mr.. Saunders was elected to the
Iowa senate as an anti slavery republican
and two years after he was returned for a
second term. He was one of the most active
members Of that body during his eight years
OF service and had much to do with the cleo
tion Of United States Senators Harlan and
Grimes. He was delegate to the first re-
publican state convention In Iowa and also
to the national convention that nominated
Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. He
was q personal friend of Mr.. Lincoln and
during the campaign that followed he went
on the stump and made an energetic canvass
! In his interest.
' Appointed Governor OF Nebraska
| His services were recognized by President
Lincoln by the appointment OF territorial
governor Of Nebraska March 26. 1851 and
he assumed the duties OF the office. At
that time the oxigencies OF the civil war
and the hostility OF some OK the Indian
tribes on the borders OF the territory made
the office OF governor one OF exceptional
responsibility When most OF the able
| bodied men OF the territory were In the
union army the Indians desolated the from
tier and massacred men, women and chill
| dren. Governor Saunders promptly issued
a proclamation calling for volunteers to
protect the frontier and his energetic meas
ures were cheerfully supported. The diff
Guilty was emphasized by the fact that there
were no funds in the territorial treasury,
but all difficulties were overcome and the
savages were effectually repulsed.
Governor Saunders was one Of the earliest
and most enthusiastic advocates Of a trans
continental railway and in his first mes
sage to the territorial legislature In 1861, he
said. "a mere glance at the map OF the
country will convince every intelligent mind
that the great Platte valley, which passes
through the heart and runs nearly through
the entire length Of Nebraska, is to become
the route of the great central railway that
is to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific
states and territories
When the bill that authorized the organ
ization of company 10 build the road was
made one OF the incorporators and his proph
ecy was realized when construction was
actually begun, December 2, 1853
At the commencement OF the Legislative
session OF 1855 the governor intimated IL
his message that he would not ask to bt
reappointed for another term. AS volun
tary tribute to his integrity and ability thu
legislature, regardless OF party obligations
paseed a set OF resolutions id which his Off
cial conduct was enthusiastically endorsed
and the president was urgently requested
to reappont him. This was done and on
OF the last public acts Of President Lincoll
was to sign Governor Saunders commission
for his second term.
In 1867 the admission Of Nebraska to tn
union terminated Governor Saunders guper
} material office, but in 1868 he was elected
) delegate to the national republican con
| yention which nominated Grant and Colfa'
Then he went into business and was a fairl
successful banker until 1875, when the PAM
: swept away every dollar he owned. Wit
the same energy and perseverance that b
had displayed in his ofhciai career ne wer
? to work again, paid off every dollar that
e owed and finally accumulated competenc
that enabled him. to live at ease during u
last years of his life.
4 Elected United states senator.
o In 1870 Governor Saurders' name We
|. frequently mentioned in connection with tt
q ofice OF United States senator, and 81
t years after he was elected for full ter
|, OF six years. One Of his most importal
achievements as United States senator Wi