The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-07

was therefore made for the erection
and completion Of 10 penal, charitable
and educational institutions, % 10
Gated that nearly every portion Of
this vast territory, covering $4,000
square miles, would receive the ben.
efits Of these absolutely necessary In.
stitutions.
Tho rapidly Increasing population
and wealth in the central and north
ern portions Of the territory rendered
more accessible point for the seat
Ct government very desirable.
In order to relieve the people from
excessive taxation and secure commo-
dous capitol buildings without cost
To the taxpayers Of the territory, .
plan was adopted by the governor and
legislative assembly whereby the seat
of government has been changed from
Yankton to Bismarck. This plan,
which was enacted into law, provided
that nine agents named in the act
should select from accessible local.
ties, whose citizens should guarantee
building fund Of 100000 and ct
least 160 acres Of land suitable for the
erection thereon Of commodious capt.
t0l buildings, giving permanent seat
Of government.
Examined Many Sites
"Under this act the nine gentlemen
named therein, known as the capitol
commission, after examining the var
ious sites and considering the accom-
panyil1g propositions, accepted the
proposition Of the citizens Of Bis
marck, to guarantee by . good and
sufficient bond, 100000 toward the
fund for building the capitol and to
give 800 acres Of valuable land. This
land has been plated and will be
sold, except that required for capitol
purposes, and the proceeds arising
from its sale will further increase the
building fund sufficiently to enable
the commissioners to erect q capitol
building as commodious and even
more imposing than the capitol Of
Minnesota.
The promised condition having
been complied with, the capitol COM
mission, on the second day Of June,
1883, located the permanent seat Of
government Of the territory Of Dakota
upon the commanding site where We
now stand.
after due advertisement, plans
were accepted and the contract was
awarded to 9. w. Thompson for the
erection Of the main building. The
work was. commenced Aug. Is, 1883,
and has progressed without intermis-
sion until we are now prepared to
lay the cornerstone of building that
we trust will remain as q monument
OF the skill of the artisan and OF the
wisdom, fidelity and economy Of
those who projected it.
In the name, therefore, Of the cit
liens Of Bismarck, the donors. and the
people Of the territory Of Dakota who
are the recipients Of this imposing
temple devoted to legislation, I now
have the honor to invite you. Presi-
dent Willard, and you, J. Cooke, whom
we all recognize as the alpha and
omega Of the great national enter
prise, the completion Of which you
are now on your way to celebrate, to
assist in placing the cornerstone Of
the capitol OF Dakota"
Willard Makes Response
Henry Willard responded as follows:
mr.. Governor and citizens Of Da-
kota. The interests and prospects Of
the corporation over which I have the
honor to preside, are so identified
with the prosperity Of Dakota, that
we feel deeply interested in every step
she takes. It was q source OF no or
binary satisfaction to me to be per-
mitted to conduct this extraordinary
party which is accompanying me
over the rolling prairies Of your ter
ritory. My guests were informed that
they would see interesting sights In
this fertile northwest, and think
reflect the sentiment Of all when ]
say that our highest expectations have
been more than realized.
I'VE feel honored and I feel par
ticularly honored, in having been
called upon to assist In these cere-
monies. WIN you. Governor Ordway
express our gratitude and heartfelt
thanks to the public for the generous
hospitality with which We have been
received since our arrival In your ter.
ritory.
Let me say few words regarding
those OF the guests from my native
land. They are here enabled to par.
ticipate in the laying Of q corner
stone Of capitol Of q great terri
tory in young city which bears the
name Of the greatest living German
statesman. They. as I, consider It I
great honor, and wish your metropo-
lis the most abundant success"
Mr.. Willard retired amid deafenina
applause. Governor Ordway Their
asked him to lay his hand on the
corner stone, which he did. and aftel
prayer by the chaplain, the formal
ceremonies were declared completed
and the cornerstone Of the capitol o.
Dakota properly laid. Mr.. villart
then said in an impressive manner
Nov that this cornerstone is laid
may I ask you Ill to join with me II
the hope and prayer that this build.
Ing may be reared and completed a
It has been designed, that it may sooI
b. the capital Of. . great Sovereign
state, that 1t may be the source o.
wise legislation, and that It may b
the home Of Justice and liberty, TIL
birth rights Of all free people"
Testimonial to Bismarck
At the close Of these very impress
s:ye remarks, Governor Ordway pre-
sented the following testimonial Il
Baron Won Eisendecker, Imperial Ger
man Minister, to be forwarded Il
Prince Bismarck. at once.
TO His Excellency, Prince Otto Vol
| Bismarck, Chancellor Of the Ger
MIN Government.
I'VE, the citizens Of Bismarck, de-
sire to embrace the opportunity af
forded by the presence Of . distin
guished representative Of the German
government to tender your highnes
orr respectful compliments. We be
neve that this greeting viii be vel
Come, coming from q distant lam
where so many Germans have foun'
prosperity and happiness, and wher
your name Is honored by all men IN
from city which hears that nam
and which has become Z center q
commerce and civilization, and th
capital Of q great territory. Proud Q
our city's name we are confident tina