The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1909-02-04

has MADE way IOT tHe SuLoHiAc VI 'H0
future. and those who had the fortune
of being at Pierre Wednesday Will
=. look back to it as one of the most
glorious events even politically wit
messed by them. Pierre was all DaKO-
IA Wednesday the eyes OF the whole
state were turned towards it. 1t was
the one great city to which boss or
freeman. friend or foe turned not only
in the state but far beyond its limits.
A mighty question was being solved
in its old familiar capitol, a question
of far reaching effects, not only TO
Dakota, but to many other states be-
sides who are rising in their might to
rectify the wrongs of years and give
back TO the people what in all justice
and right belongs to them m only
10 them. The laws of nature which
are fixed and certain, will rectify
self has come into use in Dakota amid
scenes OF splendor and rejoicing
which has stamped the day a red let
ter one in not only our city, but i'll
the whole state.
Pierre was at its best, the people
were in holiday attire, but how did
the city accommodate the crowds?
Where did they all come from? What
smiles of delight on every counte-
nance. The only event worth talk
inc about was the coming one in the
state house. The only questions
asked. when will the Joint session take
place? How can | get a good
seat? Towards o the crowds were
vending their way in groups to the
capitol. A short recess was anounc-
ed in both houses. but few of the
members left the building. Dinner
for all Pierre was out of the question.
That could be attended 10 later on.
but now a good seat was only thought
OF.
AT noon precisely one stroke Of the
gavel welded by Mr.. CLANCY. he pre-
siding officer. brought the crowd to
order. And such a crowd. Outside
the bar of the hall OF representatives
not only was every chair taken but
standing room was at n premium. IN
graced the memorable occasion. All
at once the scrgeant-atlrms an
nounced the entrace Of the senators
to the house. Three strokes of the
gaVel caused the representatives to
stand while the grave senators
marched up the central passage two
by two in order. 1t took some few
minutes TO eat them so great was
the crowd within the bar Of the
with Lieutenant Governor Shober pre-
siding, the necessary routine business
was brought to Il close. two represent
~tatives and Il senator were nominated
by the chair to cscort Mr.. Crawford
TO the roStrum. And here began a
scene hat battles descriDtiCn' After
a short delay sounds Os if of distant
Cheering began to fill the air; II in
creased in volume as it approached
nearer AMI nearer until t;:cao in the
Railways and upper Hobbies took up
the refrain as Mr.. Crawford entered
the house, when. as if by magic. it
burst into the tumultuous and long
sustained chorus of a hero's triumphal
march. Ladies stood up and waved
handkerchiefs. even sage senators
forgetting for the once. the rigid
decorum of the house leaped to their
feet, cheering and cheering until the
senator ascended the rostrum.
Such a scene was never Witnessed
in the house. Such an occasion never
before presented itself to the great
assembly of Dakota's law makers.
Shaking hands with Mr.. Shober and
Mr.. CLANCY and being made aware of
the confirmation of his election. Mr.
Crawford delivered his speech.
His Ole for a m seemed TO
fail him. and no wonder. His was a
difficult position. The whole audi
ence were his friends now. Democrat
and republican alike hung on his
words. so slowly and distinctly deliv.
cred amidst a silence that seemed
painful. Not a word. not a syllable
was lost to the whole assembly. Cheer
after cheer punctuated the sentences
until at the close of what is consid.
cred h best speech ever delivered i'm
the walls of the capitol the immense
audience repeated the scenes OF the
reception. He was the hero of the
hour, and yet the humility of the
man was what appeared uppermost.
How the tears of devotion ran down
the cheeks of many old hero of poll
tical warfare. His illusions to the
charity of silence on his part, to his
devotion to democrats as we'll as IN