The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-16

ceremony befitting the establishment
A distinguished company OF world
famous statesmen and financiers came
here in September of 1883 for the ded-
icatory ceremonies. Mingling with
these and celebrates of dozen ma
tons, were milling throng OF plains
men with here and there an Indian to
lend color to the scene.
Grant Was Present
General u. S. Grant, James j. Hill,
senators and cabinet members were
here as we'll as delegations Of diplo-
mats from the principal nations Of
Europe.
History describes the laying Of the
cornerstone as gala event. outstand-
ing in the chronicles of those from
tier days.
But the people of the tiny town of
Bismarck had not secured the capital
without a tremendous sacrifice. In a
day when the dollar carried a tre-
mendous purchasing power. the citi-
zens of a small frontier town raised
100000 as contribution to the build
ing fund and purchased 320-acre
tract for the capitol grounds. There
were no rich men living in Bismarck
In those days and the sum was raised
at tremendous personal sacrifice to
each and every citizen.
Othe.s had bid for the seat Of gov
eminent. The territorial commission,
set up to select the logical site, be-
came the target for savage attacks
when their decision was made known.
However. when the smoke OF battle
had cleared away. the feeling pre-
vailed that justice had been done and
the best interests Of the people
served.
Says State Unified
An eminent historian. commenting
OH the situation in later years said:
THE act of the legislature in locating
the state capital at Bismarck unified
the people of North Dakota
Alexander Mckenzie of Bismarck,
Judge A. NJ Spaulding of Fargo.
Alexander Hughes and score OF
others, instrumental In locating and
keeping the capital at Bismarck, were
among those who laborec long and
earnestly in the belief that the seat
of government belonged in this city.
Later in 1889, ON the eve of state
hood. after several other towns had
sought to get the capital, the voters
of the state were given an oppOrtun-
ity to voice their sentiments at the
polls. In the judgment of the people
the institution was logically located
and the constitution establishing 1t
here was ratified by an overwhelming
majority.
One or two sporadic attempts to
move the seat of government were
made in the intervening 40 years but
never got beyond the stage of agita-
ton for removal.
Bismarck Expanded
Meanwhile Bismarck grew and cx-
banded as the state grew and ex-
banded. AS the score of govern
mental affairs increased more and
more property was acquired by the
state. A memorial building valued at
half million dollars was built and
other properties valued at about the
same figure were acquired
The growth OF the city has grown
hand in hand with the development
Of the government and state officials
and employees have built homes here
the value of which has been esti-
mated at several hundred thousands
of dollars AS a result. the develop
ment of Bismarck essentially has been
the development of a capital city.
Perhaps the most critical period in
the history of Bismarck and Bur-
leigh county started in January, 1881
and continued through the last IA
months. Hardly had the ashes of the
capitol fire grown cold, when move
ment took shape in Jamestown to
move the capital to Stutsman county.
Regarded only as threat for a
time, the movement gained such head
way in few months, that proponents
of the scheme in Stutsman county cir