The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-07-30

VVG VI MAVl
= = y y y
| Their Troubles
The Free State Of Franklin
John Sewer was virginian who. a
= captain Of the Virginia line, fought
II Lord Dunmores war. Afterwards
he crossed the Alleghenies and estab-
lished Z colony In the Watauea coun-
try, the region stretching into what
has been called the Dark and Bloody
Land. At the time there was steady
trek Of pioneers over the Nollichocky
Trace and Sewer. who had assumed
leadership Of the colony, addressed
. memorial to the state Of North Car
DINA asking attachment to that jur-
isdiction. This was granted and the
vast western territory comprising
what now Is Tennessee and part Of
Kentucky was Joined to North Caro-
lima - county. Sewer was elected
to the North Carolina legislature.
When the negotiations for the per-
lection Of the new American Union
suggested that the several states
might b called upon to share. pro-
portionately - to size, the burden Of
the national debt, North Carolina
took alarm ut the hugeness Of her
western domain and divorced the new
county. So John Sewer organized
that fascinating political division Of
the United States 20 seldom mention
ed In the school books-the Free
State Of Franklin. He made treaties
with the Cherokees and there was
some question q to whether Franklin
would become = state Of the American
Union Or IN independent republic.
So rapid was the growth Of the new
state that North Carolina changed
its mind again and claimed the ter
ritory as one Of its own counties. John
Sewer was tired Of this sort Of bick-
|ering and held aloof 90 Governor Cas-
well Of North Carolina declared the
county In revolt and sent an army to
depose and capture John Sewer who
had been duly elected governor Of the
new state. There were battles and
Sewer was taken and thrown In pri-
son. Later be was released and moved
to Ohio, where he Was elected to con-
gress, and then to Tennessee. He
Represented Tennessee In congress
and was eight times governor Of the
state.
Mere Gubernstorial Troubles
Samuel Houston's case Is another
historic instance Of . governors trou-
bles. Virginia born, but an adopted
member Of the Cherokee Tribe, he
joined the army and attracted the no
tice Of Andrew jackson. His career
was more than remarkable, ranging
over most OF the known United States
Of the period. He was q representa-
tive In congress from Tennessee, he
was twice president Of the republic Of
Texas and twice United States SEN
ator after Texas had been annexed to
the United States. In 1859 he had
climbed to the dignity Of governor Of
Texas. But Houston. . Virginian and
q Tennessean, was strongly opposed to
secession. His opposition was 80
spirited that, In spite Of his practi-
cally unmatched career Of brilliant
public service in both civil and mill
tary life, he was deposed Is governor.
Nearer North Dakota In both time
and space was the case Of John Pc
ter Altgeld. Born In Germany In
l847, he was brought as child to
Mansfield, Ohio. As boy he was q
private In the Union Army during the
Civil War. He removed to Missouri
where he taught school and practic-
ed law: thence to Chicago where he
became Judge Of the Superior Court.
In 1892 he was elected governor Of
Illinois as q Democrat and one OF
his first official acts was to pardon
Friede, Schwab, and Neebe, three men
who had been accused Of anarchy and
convicted Of completely In the fright
full disorders incident to the Hay
market riots Of 1885. Governor Alt
geld's pardons were granted In re-
sponse to petitions from citizens all
over the country who were convinced
that the men had been convicted on
insufficient evidence. Yet there was
another party which stood aghast Ut
this apparent condonation Of anarchy.
Theodore Roosevelt bitterly condemn.
ed the pardons. For > time It looked
a though the demand for Altgelds
removal from office would result IN
violence almost equalling the Hay
market strike. He served out his
term. but his seat was uneasy. He
was In constant danger OF assassin.
alton.
william sulser was elected governor
Of New York and. In January, took
seat from which he was ousted IN
October after IN elaborate impeach-
ment trial. Tammany Hall did not
approve Of the sulzer policies N o.
flee and while that fight was purely
political its bitterness held the atten-
ton Of the whole country while It last
ed, especially Is 6ul0er had been .
distinguished member Of congress for
Is years.
The bitterness against the late Gov
ernor Rolph Of California on account
Of the Mooney case, and his approval
a the lynching Of the San jose kid
napers, placed him In . category
somewhat similar to Altgelds, AZ
though feeling did not run Is high.
ooyernor Murray Of Oklahoma has
been m almost constant target. Many
governors have been removed after
impeachmeut trials. The governors
chair q one Of the most uneasy Of
seats.
uo1sdous<na n Meet