Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1935-02-06

"Such was Vandalia when on. 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, 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 a private toll
bridge across Salt creek in SangamOn county,
was passed promptly. But when he branched
out into larger fields Of legislation he was not
SO successful.
The disposal of public lands belonging to the
United States was an important question at that
time. On January 10, 1885, Lincoln offered
resolution "that our senators be instructed and
our representatives requested to use their whole
influence in the congress Of the United States to
procure the passage of 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 the
table, without ro1l-call, where it peacefully ex-
PRED
Even more important than the public land
question was the problem of the National bank,
the main issue in the Presidential campaign of
1892 in which Andrew Jackson was reelected. A
resolution, supporting Jackson's stand on this
question, was introduced In the Illinois leglsla
ture in January, 1885, and precipitated a wig
orous dispute Says Beveridge: g. e. For nearly
three weeks Lincoln heard what was said on all
phases of the National bank and the currency;
but 1t does not appear that he took part in the
But if Lincoln played an insignificant role
during his first legislative experience, he was to
play an active and conspicuous part in the spe-
cial session Of the legislature which Gov. Joseph
Duncan called the following December. (This
was the same Joseph Duncan who, as one of
Maj George Crogans 'boy 1ieutenants," had
won vote Of thanks from congress for their |
heroism at the defense of Fort Stephenson dur |
Ing the War OF 1S42) During this session the |
state was reappoHio ioned, the necessary legisla-
lion for starting WSrk on the Illinois and Mich |
gan canal was passed, as were the first Of the |
food bills providing for other internal improve
nents which rose to such high tide in the next |
legislature and played no small part in the panic
If 1887. 49,. s.&.:5>
But more important, as regards Aincoln's
:areer, was the fact that during this time he /
vas helping pave the way for removing the
,apital to Springfield, an incident which brought
him his first real prominence Reelected to the
legislature in 1885. at its opening session in
December he became the Whig floor leader and
vas recognized on all hands as a clever par
iamentary tactician and likely to become the
manager In the house. 4. His supreme purpose
low was to achieve the removal of the capital
o Springfield and upon the achievement of that
esign he concentrated every faculty during the
ext three months. $s%&s
In 1888 the legislature had authorized d ref
rendum vote by the people on the question of
electing permanent site for the capital but
10 majority was given for any one location. The
eaders in the voting were Alton, Vandalia,