Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-07-08
Old Capitols and the New

Old Capitols and the New.
The writer has looked upon and sat
within every building used a. a
capitol since the days of the first
legislature at Yankton. The build
ing used by the first legislature was
on Capitol street, a small affair and
totally unfit for legislative work, but
1t was all that could be found and the
law makers were not numerous or
filled with pride. Then the senate
and house split up, part going up to a
building on Broadway afterwards
owned by Gen. Trip, and troops were
called down from Fort Randall to
keep the peace, but the warning ele-
ments got together and the boys got
their 5 500 a day from Uucle Sam and
adjourned.
The next capitol building was
Stones Hall and sessions Of the legis-
lature were held there, with one ex-
ception, until Ordway got into the
game and then began the great Capt.
tol fight until Bismark walked away
with the prize for the price. One
session ('74-5) was held in the Yank-
ton county court house before the
partitions were put in down stairs.
The house met in the court room and
the council met in the north side of
the first floor, and the unfinished
~treasurer's vault on the south side of
the hall vas a favorite spot ''between
times" because wet goods were not
to be had within a reasonable distance
on the outside. Col. Jolly of Yer
million was President Of the Council
and the writer was Secretary. Col.
Moody was Speaker of the House and
Charlie Mallahan of Elk Point was
Chief Clerk. That Was a great session.
Frank Pettigrew's seat was contested
by DIR. Roberts Of Sioux Falls, and
Bill Mckay of Charles Mix, and a
friend of P%ettigrew, was rearrested
and charged with helping to hang
two horse thieves. Bill was kept in
the jail down stairs between sessions
and during the regular sessions Bill
was In his seat as a law maker and
when the session vas over Bill was
turned over to the sheriff, and this
continued until the Pettigrew-Rob-
erts contest was settled.
When the capitol removal scheme
came up there wers powerful influen-
ces at work to effect the change. A
great many towns had the capital
fever and that helped to defeat Yank-
ton. Bismarck won and the boomers
paid the price for the privilege of
erecting a great capitol building.
with division and statehood came
the greatest capitol fight in the
history of the country. Pierre won
after spending over half a million
dollars, and about half of the mount
was put up by the Northwestern rail-
road and In the final struggle Mitchell
had Pierre whipped until the Mil
waukee funked or sold out about 10
days before the vote was taken.
The capitol location is all right and
has given hope and courage to the
west half of the state which needed
encouragement. The Pierre men
made a wonderful offensive and de-
fensive campaign under the able and
brilliant managem ,nt Of John Suth-
erland of Pierre. Many able, earnest
men were engaged on both sides, but
John Sutherland was recognized as
the master organizer and VIM. II.
Checker Of Pierre, was n of the
best division commanders on the
staff. Wherever Checker went he
won.
The writer had the pleasure of 60
Ing over the new capitol building re-
Gently with State Auditor Hirning
and Doane Robinson. The new
building is a magnificent creation of
brains and money, and the finest
building in the United States for the
money, a credit to the state and the
commissioners, a building that has
cost about 5000, 900 and said to be al
most as good as the 3 and S million
dollar buildings of other states. The
building is a monument to the
honesty and ability of the capitol
commission, which includes Governor
Wesley, Secretary of State Policy and
State Auditor Hirning. The new
capitol building is good for SO or loo
years and will meet the needs of the
state with a few minor changes In
the house chamber, already too crowd
ed by cumberson desks. State Histor-
ian Robinson explained the historical
decorations and paintings and all the
minor details connected with the
decorations, which represent the
marvellous growth and development
of the west.
In speaking Of the building Edward
H. Blash6eld, the New York mural
painter, who has done mural work fol
many of the government buildings at
the national capital, and for numer.
Gus state capitOts over the country
said. Gin fr1th I am o~a,oI ~ uh,t