The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-05-12
STATE BIRTH DATE
BRINGSOUTQUERS
COMPLICATED SITUATION
NOW DISCLOSED
WORD OF OLD TIMERS
Some Think It Was May II,
1857; Others Have Another
Time Set.

ST. Paul, MINI, May S.-The an
nouncement of the annual celebra-
ton Of the birthday of the state by
the Territorial Pioneers on May IL
raises the question as to just why
that date should be selected. An in
vestigation of this question made
recently by the Minnesota Histori-
cal society discloses a very compli-
Gated situation.
The transition from territorial
status to that of statehood is often
a long drawn out process. and this
was especially true In the case of
Minnesota. Consequently it is i'm
possible to put ones finger on a
specific day and say, without quail
fication, that on that day Minnesota
became a state.
First Step in Progress
The first step in this process was
the enactment by congress on Feb
ruary 26, 1857. Of what was known
as the enabling act. This authoriz-
ed the election, by the people living
within the present boundaries of
Minnesota-which differ from those
of the territory-of delegates to a
convention to frame a constitution
for the proposed state. The election
was held on the first Monday in
June and the convention assembled
on July Is, 1857 Although the heat
of partisan politics caused this
body to split in two, each claiming
to be the convention, the two
groups ultimately adopted the same
Constitution which was submitted
to the people and ratified by them
on October IS.
From one point of view, October
10 might be considered the birthday
Of the state. On that day in 1857
the people not only ratified the con
stitutior, but also, in accord with
the provisions of that instrument.
elected state officers, members OF
the legislature and congressman.
The legislature, hich assembled
on December 3, recognized the gov
ernor of the territory, Mr.. Medary,
as governor" and he, In turn re-
cognized it as a state Legislature.
This body proceeded to elect two
United States senators, who were
later seated, and enacted laws
which were signed 6y Governor ,r
MedaIy or, after his so dsparto ars, by
of the territory. Was Minnesota 4
state at that time?
What Was Originally Provided
The constitution originally pro-
vided that the terms of the newly
elected state officers should begin
"after the state shall be admitted
by congress into the union" but
congress delayed so long that on
March /, 1858, the legislature sub
mitted to the people an amendment
to the constitution which authorlz-
ed the officers to be sworn in on
or after the first day of May, 1858.
This amendment was ratified on
April Is, but Mr.. Sibley, the gov
ernor- elect and other OFFICERS de
cided to await the action OF con-
gress.
The bill for the admission Of
Minnesota to the Union had already
passed the senate on April s. 1t
pa ssed the house on May II anu
was approved by. the president the
same day. News of this action
reached Minnesota on May IS, com
ing by telegraph as far as In
Crosse, Wis, and some days late
the documentary evidence was re
ceived. On May "a. 1858. the STATE
Officers elected the previous Oeto'
Der we're sworn in and took up their
duties.
1t would appear, therefore, that
the GAlSt6lC6 OIL hlHlCSOld g. q
state might be said to date from
IS, 1857. when the consti-
tuition was adopted and the state
officers were elected; but it did not
become a state of the Union until
admitted by the act of congress OF
May II, 1858; and its organization
was not completed until May "a.
ANY of these three dates might be
the birthday of the state.
On the whole. however, it would
seem that May II marks the most
significant event in the series-the
admission of Minnesota to an equal
place in the Union of states-and.
so it is entirely appropriate that
this date should be celebrated as
Statehood day.
The New Ulm Review is giving
hearty support to the con gressional
of c. r. Davis of st.