The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-02-07

srrfngfeld. Jacksonville and Peoria. In the order
named The citizens OF vandalia didn't want to
lose the capital so they raised $4,000 and hope
fully began too build a new state house to re-
Mace the one In which Lincoln had first served
as legislator and which was now becoming
sadly dilapidated They little realized how the
manipulations of some very clever politicians
including lanky Abe Lincoln. we're to doom them
to disappointment.
BY the reapportionment act OF 1885 Sangamon
county had seven representatives and two sena-
tors, the largest delegation In the legislature
Because OF the height OF all these men 1.-THE aver
age was well over six feeD they were called the
aIoug Nine" The senators were Job Fletcher
and Archer Herndon and the representatives
we're Abraham Lincoln. John Dawson, Dan Stone,
Ninian W. Edwards (son OF former governor),
William f. Elkin, r. l. Wilson, and Andrew Nc
Cormick They voted solidly together on all Ques-
lions 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
field as the new capital
although Lincoln and the Springfield parti-
sans, of whom he was In command, strove to de-
lay final action on the location of the capital
until the passage OF the Internal Improvement
BILL they could not prevent frequent consldera-
tion of that irritating and dangerous subject,
says Beveridge Sometimes they were on the
very edge OF defeat, twice they were actually
beaten His colleagues were respondent, hope
less but Lincoln never despared. 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 bill with
Its clusters of improvident building, Impossible
improvements OF impractlcable streams, and APP
propratons Of cash to importunate counties
the general assembly In joint session chose
Springfield as the permanent site of the state
captal The husbandry OF the Long Nine
had Yielded Its harvest
- After wagIng their successful fight to win thu
capital for their home county. Lincoln and thu
other members Of the Long Nine went back t
Springfield In triumph. tie was resolved to make
tho new CAPITAL his home henceforth and K
hang out his single as lawyer there, for thu
very dov after his victory for Springfield he hat
obtained from the Supreme court In Nandalia
certificate of admission to the bar of Illinois an'
was formally enrolled us an attorney.
ON Aprll Is. 1887, the Sangamon Journal car
ried . new professional card In its advertising
columns-"J. It. Stuart x A. Lincoln, Attorney
and Councillors at Law. will practice, con1ontls
In tbe Courts of this Judicial Circuit Office Nc
a. Honman's Row, upstairs, Springfield lTwer
weight wears later. to day, the columns Q
this newspaper would appear with heavy oiac
borders In mourning for one OF these Attorney
md Counsellors at Law now the Martyr Pres
dent)
.Here then, was Lincoln. but twenty -eigf
years old, leader OF his party In the house 9
representatives, winner Of the fight Tor Spring
field as the state capital most talked OF and bes
lllad ~ NJ, the wings OF Sangamon county, an
now partner OF one OF the ablest lawyers In Ill
nos and the foremost Whg In the state. THU
Albert BeyerIdge-"A stounding progress b
yesterday pottering about New Salem IN conta
only with little things and crude surrounding
hoay,,y =, dabt and with dim prospects for a.
voncement. today starting on the high road !
ambition and achievement!
= BY y .st.rn Newspaper Unoa