The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-18

AS early as 1849, when there were
just enough people in the territory
comprising Minnesota, efforts were
made to secure a territorial Organiza-
ton. The requisite legislation was Sc
cured in the national congress and the
organic act was passed in that year,
Alexander Ramsey being appointed
governor. AS provided in the organic
act, a legislature was elected, and it
convened in st. Paul on the Sd day of
September, 1S49.
Now, after the lapse of half a CEN
fury and three years besides with the
thirty third legislature in session, and
with our great commonwealth stand
ing conspicuously among the others Of
the nation, it will be interesting to take
a retrospective glance and recall the
history of the first law-making bodies
that met to provide laws for the new
ly created body polite. In that early
day there was no capitol building, and
the legislators were not accommodated
with the convenienceS that are prOVid-
ed for those of today. The law makers
of the first session Of the Minnesota
territorial legislature sat on wooden
benches in the dining room of the Cen
trail house. This hosiery was used for
a double purpose. 1t was an inn, it
was also harbor for the little ship of
state, from which it was to set sail
on its eVentful and prosperous voyage.
The first legislature of this state
was formally convoked by Gov. Ram
Sey in the dining room Of the Central
house on Monday morning, Sept 8,
1S49. About the room on the pine
benches were seated the representatives
of the people, and though many were
rough handed and clad in common
working clothes, coming from field,
shop and store, not a better set of men
ever assembled in the marble halls Of
Rome's forum or Athens parthenQu.
They may not have been eloquent, but
they were stern and earnest; they may
not have been learned, but they were
wise and Strong-they were the men
the Builder of Nations had chosen to
lay the foundation for one Of the great
states of the Union.
Indians Were interested.
Upstairs, in the library the council
met, and the two bodies simultaneous
ly opened the first Of a series of SEES
sions that have continued, with the
regular intervals, to the present time.
The gathering of the first legislature
was an event of great Importance in
the villages of st. Paul and st. An
thony. The Indians also were interest
ed in the occasion, and large numbers
gathered about the building when the
members began to arrive. Business was
temporarily suspended and all classes
of people congregated to witness the
ceremonies.
Before opening the session a flag was
hoisted on the staff in front of the
house. The members then filed into
the narrow halls of state, and after
prayer and invocation of blessing
by the pioneer divine, Rev. E. D. O'Nell,
the political life of the territory of Min
nesota began. Outside, perched upon
the edge of the rocky bluff near the
house, were the Indians, looking on at
the proceedings, filled with ominous
forebodings of the time when they
would be driven away by the progress
i've intrduers.
The first session continued till Nov.
1, and many matters of interest to the
territory at that time were brought
UP. Among the most important was
the creation Of the counties of Itasca
Waubashaw, Dahkotah, Wahnaftaa,
Mahkahto, Penbina, Washington, Ram
sey and Benton. The common school
system, the territorial seal, and a res
olution to send a slab of red sandstone
to the Washington Memorial assoeia-
ton, came in for a share of attention
Most of the members were personally
acquainted before this meeting, and
the proceedings were characterized by
an absence of formality. Gov. Ramsey,
at the opening of the session, delivered
an able address advising the two bodies
of the legislature on the course of ar
ton to pursue, and pointing out the
needs of the territory. There was in
this first legislature of Minnesota a
prevalence of good feeling among the
members, and they were guided by a
spirit of wisdom that has not been
more apparent in any subsequent leg
iSlation Of this state
hidden lie Sole StIrAx;x,ar
The second session of the legislature
began Jan. 1, 1851. There is living
still with US a survivor of this session,
held fifty-twc years ago. Of the TWEEN