Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-12-28

IMAM LlOSe IN Montana.
take up the bill, and Senator Wilson
moved to strike out the name of the
territory and insert Idaho. He insisted
that Montana was no name at all;
that 1t meant nothing. The name Mon
tana was stricken out and the name
Idaho inserted. The bill then passed
the senate as amended and was sent
back to the house.
This occurred during the last hours
of the session. Mr.. Ashley was angry
and insisted that the house should
disagree to the senate amendment, but
the bill passed as amended When in
1864, Idaho was divided, the new ter
ritory naturally took the name which
came so near being given to Idaho
think Governor Ashley selected the
name or adopted it as his own"
Ashley Insisted on Montana"
Failing in fixing the name Mon
tana on the new territory of Idaho,
Ashley bided his time. AS Governor
Edgerton relates at the next session
of congress, he reported bill divid-
ing Idaho and creating the territory
of Montana. Again he had trouble
with the name. Senator Sumner,
fine scholar, demanded: Where did
you get that name?"
"It is Latin word meaning noun
famous" replied Ashley.
Sumner insisted that there was no
such word.
But Ashley was prepared this time.
He produced a Latin dictionary and
proved his contention. So Montana
became the name of an infant terri
tory that, in the course of a few
decades, was to become a great state
IN TETCr1d Tlof - F11
low, furnish the federal government
with nearly $4,000 fighting men and
upwards of 100000, 600 for the ma
tional war chest.
In 1862 Ashley had a fight for re-
election. He was too radical and was
ruthless with those who opposed him.
But when the campaign was at its
height, and it looked as though his
defeat was certain, President Lincoln
issued the emancipation proclamation.
The tide turned and Ashley won.
Ashley was the author of the famous
18th amendment to the constitution,
putting negroes on an equality with
whites as citizens The amendment
after a tempestuous career, passed.
Ashley first introduced it in Deem
Der, 1863, and the house voted against
it in the following June. The amend
ment became the issue of the presi-
Dental campaign Of 1864, and Lin
coins election assured its passage.
Three months after the adoption of
the 18th amendment by the house, the |
rebellion collapsed and General Lee
Andrew Johnson became |
president. 1t should be noted here
that Andrew Johnson defeated anoth- |
sr former territorial governor Of Mon
lana, Hon. Green Clay Smith, for the
rrfoo vNracfTox1ffoI xzcyr1 IN off0y4 11xy half
/ vote. johnson was a man of large
natural ability, but Of little education,
mis- wife having taught him to read
after his marriage. He was also in
temperate. He was soon embroiled In /
/ quarrel with congress.
Johnsons contention was that the
-ebel states were Immediately entitled |
20 representation in congress, while
hat body proposed to lay down terms.
Finally, when johnson attempted to
-emove Stanton as secretary of war
regardless Of the tenure Of office act,
t was decided to make an effort to
the president.
Governor Ashley was the man picked
or the job. He railroaded the reSolu
ions of impeachment through the
aouse, where he was one of the leaders,
md the fight went over to the senate
he senate by single vote, and this
'ote killed the power of the radicals,
# which Ashley was one of the fore
most men in congress. The following
Tear Ashley was defeated for congress.
During his last days in congress
Governor Ashley, still fighting, brought
orth amendments aboliShing the Of
ice of vice president, limiting the
-eto power Of the president, and for
he reorganization of the supreme
curt, all of which were defeated.
PRESIDENT Grant, Ashley, at the in
lance of his friend, Senator Sumner,
vas appointed governor Of the terri
DRY Of Montana. Ashley's nomination
YES held up for some time, but was
inally confirmed. The capital was
bout to be removed from Virginia
Sity to Helena and Governor Ashley
box up his residence in the latter
ity A large part of the population
4 the territory at that time, 1869,
vas southern in sympathy, and Gov
i'd what he could to interest the
Jorthern Pacific in the possibilities
( Montana and urged the building
the railroad across 1t.
Ashley had been governor but
hort time when President Grant
AIMED Governor Potts to succeed him.
10 reason was assigned for the presi-
ent's action. The accepted story was
hat when Senator Sumner and Presi-
ent Grant quarreled the president
ut an end to the tenure in office Of
HON Ashley was one. Ashley returned
D Ohio and devoted the remainder Of
is life TO railroad building.
,ONCRETE SAFEGUARDS HEALTH