The Coolidge examiner., 1935-02-08

Springfield. jacksonville and Peoria in the order
named. The citizens of Yandalia didn't want 10
lose the capital they raised $1,000 and hope
fully began Co build a new state house TO re-
place the 10 which Lincoln had nrsi served
as y legislator aud which was now becoming
sadly dlRpidsted. They little realized how the
manipulAiions Of some very clever politicians.
including isnky Abe Lincoln were 10 doom them
20 disappointment.
by the reapporiionment act Of 1876 Sangamon
county had seven representatives and two sena-
tors. the largest delegation In the legislature.
Because OF the height of all these men tthe aver
age was well over six fee) they we're called the
Long Nine" The senators were job Fletcher
and Archer Herndon and the representatives
Werc Abraham Lincoln. John Dawson Dan Stone.
Nluian W. Edwards tson OF former governor).
William r. Elkln. n l. Wilson. and Andrew SIC.
Cormick. They voted solidIy together on all aues-
tions and held out the bait OF such an important
block Of votes TO hackers Of the internal Improve
ments schemes In return for support OF Spring
Geld as the new capital
Although Lincoln and the Springfield partl-
sans. of whom he was In command. strove 10 de-
lay final action on the location OF the capita!
until the passage Of the Internal Improvement
bin, they could not prevent frequent considera.
ton OF that Irritating and dangerous subject
says BeYeridge. Sometimes they were on the
very edge OF defeat twice they were actually
beaten. His colleagues were despondent. hope
less: but Lincoln never despalred. In the dark
est hours he called the Long Nine TO his room
In the tavern, heartened them and devised plans
for victory"
That victory came on February -. 1887. six
days before adjournment. after three months OF
management bargaining and intrigue. after the
passage Of the Internal Improvements bin with
its clusters OF improydent building, impossible
Improvements OF irnpractlcable streams, and ap-
propriations OF cash to importunate counties,
the general assembly in joint session chose
Springfield as the permanent site OF the state
capital . The husbandry OF the Long Nine
had yielded its harvest"
After wagng their successful fight to win the
capital for their home county. Lincoln and the
other members OF the Long Nine went back TO
Springfield In triumph. lie was resolved to make
the capital his home henceforth and to
hang out his shingle as a lawyer there for the
very day after his victory for Springfield he had
obtained from the Supreme court In VandaIia
certificate OF admission to the bar OF Illinois and
was formally enrolled as an attorney.
on April Is. 1897 the sangamon Journal car
rled a new professional card in its ADVERTISING
columns. T. Stuart & A. Lincoln, Attorneys
and Counsellors at Law, VIII practice conjolntly
in the Courts OF this judicial Circuit Office No
4. Hoffman's Row. upstairs, Springfield" Given
ty-eight years later, TO a day. the columns OF
this newspaper would appear with heavy black
borders In mourning for one of these Attorneys
and Counsellors at Law" now the Martyr Presi-
dent)
"Here, then, was Lincoln, but twentyeight
years old, leader of his party in the house of
representatives, winner Of the fight for Spring
field as the state capital most talked OF and best
liked of all the Wings OF Sangamon county, and
now partner of one of the ablest lawyers in ILL.,
uois and the foremost Whig in the state Thus.
Albert Beveridge-"Astounding progress But
yesterday pottering about New Salem in contact
only with little things and crude surroundings
heavily in debt and with dim prospects, for ad-
yancement; today starting on the high road OF
ambition and achievement
6 By Western Newspaper UEi0S-