The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-02-08

"Such was vandalia when on a winter day
late in November, 1884 the regular stage coach
was driven into the capital of Illinois. Among
the passengers was Abraham Lincoln, one of
the newly elected representatives from Sanga-
mon county.
He wore a new suit which, made by tailor
in Springfield, had cost him sixty dollars. Lin
coin had borrowed from Coleman Smoot two
hundred dollars in order properly to equip him.
self and pay his expenses while away from New
Salem on his first legislative adventure. The loan
was, whimsically declared Lincoln when asking
Smoot for the money a kind Of penalty upon
Smoot for having voted for him. He was better
attired and had more clothes than ever before in
his life"
During this session Lincoln played very small
part and such measures as he voted upon had
comparatively little historical significance. He
was appointed to one minor standing committee
and later to two special committees The first
bill he introduced, providing for private toll
bridge across Salt creek in Sangamon county,
was passed promptly. But when he branched
out into larger fields of legislation he not
so successful
The disposal of public lands belonging to the
United States important question at that
time On January 10, 1885, Lincoln offered a
resolution that senator's be instructed and
our representatives requested to use their whole
influence in the congress of the United States to
procure the passage of a law relative to the
public lands, by the operation of which the
state of Illinois would be entitled to receive
annually a sum of money not less In amount
than 20 per cent upon the amount annually paid
into the treasury of the United States, for pub
lie lands lying within the limits of the said
state of Illinois," This resolution was laid on the
table, without roll-call, where it peacefully ex-
pired.
Even more important than the public land
question was the problem of the National bank,
the main issue in the Presidential campaign of
1882 in which Andrew Jackson was reelected
resolution, supporting Jacksons stand on this
question, was introduced in the Illinois legisla-
ture in January, 1885, and precipitated a Wig
orous dispute. Says Beverage: s.. For nearly
three weeks Lincoln heard what was said on all
phases of the National bank and the currency;
but it does not appear that he took part in the
controversy"
But if Lincoln played Insignificant role
during his first legislative experience he was to
play an active and conspicuous part in the spe-
ciaI session of the legislature which Gov. Joseph
Duncan called the following December (This
the same Joseph Duncan who one Of
Maj. George Crogan's hoy lieutenants" had
won vote of thanks from congress for their
heroism at the defense of Fort Stephenson dur
ing the War of 1922 During this session the
state reapportioned, the necessary legisla-
igan canal was passed, as the first of the
flood bills providing for other internal improve
ments which rose to such high tide in the next
legislature and played no small part in the panic
of 1887.
But more important, as regards Lincoln's
career, was the fact that during this time he
helping pave the way for removing the
capital to Springfield. an incident which brought
him his first real prominence. Reelected to the
legislature in 1886, at its opening session in
December he became the Wing floor leader and
recognized on all hands clever par
namentary tactician and likely to become the
manager in the house. His supreme purpose
now was to achieve the removal of the capital
to Springfield and upon the achievement of that
design he concentrated every faculty during the
next three months" -
In 1888 the legislature had authorized a ref
erendum vote by the people the question Of
selecting permanent site for the capital but
majority was given for any one location The
leaders in the voting Alton, Vandalia,
Springfield, Jacksonville and Peoria, in the order
named. The citizens of Vandalia didn't want TO
lose the capital they raised $4,000 and hope
fully began to build a new state house to re-
place the one in which Lincoln had first served
as a legislator and which was now becoming
sadly dilapidated. They little realized how the
manipulations of some very clever politicians,
including lanky Abe Lincoln, were 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 {the aver
age was well over six feet) they were called the
Long Nine" The senator's were Job Fletcher