The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-18
When Pioneers Became
Politicians in Minnesota

ty-seven that constituted this legisia-
ture the only known survivor is John
D. Ludden, of St. Paul, and he is still
actively engaged in business, though
over eighty. years of age. He was thir-
ty-tWO years of age in 1851 when he
was chosen to represent the Fourth
district of the territory, and he has
still recollection of the events Of that
far away time.
The capacity of the Central house
was not taxed with the second session,
for the headquarters of the territory
had by-that time been removed to a
three-story brick building on what was
then St. Anthony street, between
Washington and Franklin The loca-
ton of that building is about where
the Metropolitan hotel is now situated
Mr.. Iudden, who was present at the
deliberations of this session, retains a
recollection of the business transacted,
and the events that occurred at the
time.
The second legislature is in many
respects more interesting from a his
torical point of view than is the first,
for during the time it was in session
the first signs OF party and factional
spirit appeared. The members of the
first legislature We're chosen from per-
sonal preference, but it was not long
before cliQues and factions sprang into
existence. When the first legislature
was in session the first party organi-
cation in the state was formed On
September "a, 1849, a caucus was held
at the home of Henry NJ Rice, and
officers of a Democratic organization
were chosen. On Oct 20 there was, held
the first political convention in the
state. 1t met in the ball room of the
Central house and candidates were
named for the approaching election.
Party spirit had developed considerably
during the time between October, 1919,
and January, 1851.
Much Bitterness Engendered.
So, from the time the second legisla-
ture convened to the day it adjourned,
there was a series of contentious. It
is said by a conservative historian of
the state that this assembly was char
acterized by more bitterness of feeling
than any which has since convened.
Party feeling grew strong, and cliquas
and factions manifested themselves at
an early period of the session. The
first cause of contention was the selec-
ton OF a speaker, and the contest is
said to have been as keen as any that
has followed it. The result was the
election of D. B. Loomis as speaker of
the council, and M. E. Anes speaker Of
the house.
settled than other things of a far more
serious character developed. The al
ready historic fights of the various
towns for the three institutions of the
state, the capitol, the penitentiary and
the state university, arose in this Ses-
sion and were settled by the we'll
known compromise by which St Paul
secured the capitol, Saltwater the pen
itentiary, and st. Anthony the univer-
sity.
Printers Got Into the FIGHT.
Though comparatively insignificant
when considered in connection with
the important questions brought up ia
the fight for the location of those fu-
stitutions, the question as to the Sc
lection Of public printer occupied al
most as much attention and caused al
most as much contention, for the thrAe
weekly papers that were then published
IN the town all Strove for the lucrative
contract. Their virulent attacks upon
each other and the offensive manner
in which one paper would assail a SUP
porter of its rival did much to en-
broil the legislature, for the small
sheets that issued from hand presses
in those days had great power, and
welded an Immense influence The
successful paper was the Pioneer
which was then pledged as the organ
OF the Democratic party.
An incident which occurred at the
time this legislature was in session is
linked firmly in the minds of all The
old settlers with the memory of the
legislature itself. Though not directly
connected with the proceedings of the
legislature it is thought to have grown
out of the fight for the job of public
printer.
On Jan 16, 1851, the Pioneer came
out with leading editorial, bitterly
attacking two of the territorial judges,
Judge Mitchell and Judge Cooper. No
1nvectiVe was spared by the writer,
and the two judges were derided.
maligned and ridiculed in the grossest