McLeod County, Minnesota - Chapter 17: Political History, 1917

So few being interested in the political history of a county, and those most interested being descendants of legislators whose labors were centered in McLeod county, it appears to the writer a most difficult task to entertainingly chronicle, from memory, events so long past,

McLeod county political history began March 1, 1856, in the organization of the county, declaring Glencoe the county Seat and electing Hon. Lewis Branson, judge; A. J. Snyder, clerk; R. J. Clyde, sheriff; L. G. Simons, judge of probate; N. Bell, district attorney. The first court convened Feb. 27, 1860.

The late Col. John H. Stevens, a native of Canada, had the honor of filling the first seat in the state senate from McLeod county where his efforts resulted in the location at Glencoe of the Stevens Seminary which is supported by a grant of state land.

The ablest and most gifted man in the political history of the county was Martin McLeod for whom the county was named. This remarkable man while a citizen of the county was ever conspicuously and intelligently active in the organization of the county and contributed in a great measure to the political affairs and policy of the organization.

Woman suffrage was conceived and had its birth in our county in 1856 at Hutchinson. The principle not then a Political question, now nearly world-wide, was mentioned at an assemblage of remarkable, eccentric, wise, scholarly and thoughtful men, viz; Asa, John and Judson Hutchinson, of musical fame, Lewis Harrington, W. W. Pendergast, Col. John H. Stevens and Lucius W. Parker. At that meeting one of the Hutchinsons, in characteristic, earnest and inimitable Speech advocated and proposed the bestowal of full political rights to the opposite sex, Thus the Hutchinsons, veritable Sir Galahads, conferred the distinction to the county of being first in the equal suffrage propaganda, since of world-wide political import and interest.

The Hutchinsons also at that time boldly declared for prohibition, not. then a political issue, now one of the greatest and most vital issues before the whole world, appealing to the hearts and souls of the human race as never before since the resurrection of the Saviour of Man. At this writing, Hutchinson, of all the towns of the county, is the only one from which intoxicating liquor has been banished.

Another great and noteworthy event occurred in the early sixties when the late Galusha A. Grow and Carl Schurz addressed an assemblage of men in the residence now occupied by W. E. Harrington. Grow, spying John McKenzie in the audience, humorously called attention to McKenzie's bare feet and John responded quickly and tartly in comment on Grow wearing gloves in August.

At an election held in November, 1864, all votes polled (forty-seven) were unanimously cast for Abraham Lincoln; a great and unusual example of unanimity wisely shown.

But one citizen of the county ever reached the district judgeship, the late Col. J. C. Edson, of Glencoe, who was also a county deputy of the Grange movement in 1868. This movement speedily advanced, developing into mammoth proportions resulting in much remedial and beneficial legislation so essential to the farming interests long oppressed by the transportation companies,

The county was once stirred to its heights, depths, breadth and length, as nothing else can excite a county, by a proposal to move the seat of government from Glencoe, then the infantile metropolis, to Hutehinson. During the struggle, numerous happenings transpired. One of the most amusing was the meeting of Asa B. Hutchinson and A. P. Fitch, who had just become a resident of Glencoe and was a stranger at Hutchinson, who visited that village to receive spiritual pabulum on the first Sunday of his residence in the county. Leaving the church it was the pilgrim's good fortune to meet Mr. Hutchinson who hospitably invited him to his home to dine.

Not knowing Fitch was a resident of Glencoe, the thought at that date being impossible to a loyal Hutchinsonian, Mr, Hutchinson, in his simplicity, unfolded to Mr. Fitch the detailed plans for the removal of the county seat. It is unnecessary to state that Fitch hastened homeward promptly reporting the well remembered dinner table conversation, relating to the plans of the Hutchinson removalists, to his delighted and eager listeners. It is also idle to mention the fact that relations between Hutchinson and Fitch were forever there-

The most intense political feud in the history of the county and extending over a period of more than a dozen years, was led by Liberty Hall on one side, and Capt. A. H. Reed, on the other. Tt was never excelled for bitterness and continued strife, Hall nearly always in the ascendant. Reed never knew when he was beaten, always rising for another attempt much to the interest and amusement of the opposing forces,

The populist movement, which tottered political thrones, had its period in McLeod county led by H. M. Perkins, of Collins, and M. R, Parks, of Bergen, who were burning apostles of the cause, not without an eye to the flesh pots, still honest in their zeal for the public weal. The movement assumed collossal proportions justified by the times and conditions, the result of the rapacious greed of the big millers and grain dealers who, unsatisfied with thieving dockage and short weight robbery, resorted to the infamous brass kettle which forced legislation so long deferred, in a great measure remedying an oppression and robbery never exceeded in American history, partially breaking the jaws of the insatiable oppressors.

The free silver propaganda had numerous followers of sincere, earnest, intense men full of righteous, emotional enthusiasm who, like the French Revolutionists, marched, believed and sang believing that their cause was just and that the "sound money" advocates desired to reap where they had not sown. The gold disciples considered the silver men as in a lunatic's dream, of callow minds, anxious for a fifty cent dollar and that the "gold bugs" were the true and only patriots, they whose tearful interest was centered in the welfare of the widows, orphans and pensioners. Active in the silver movement were H. H, Bonniwell, now senator from McLeod, the late James Olson, of Lynn, and Sam G. Anderson, Jr,

Prohibition, like the poor, is now and ever will be with us as an issue and, like Banquo's ghost, ever appear to frighten politicians of a negative temperament. Its citadel, in McLeod always has been and is at Hutchinson, The old time war horses in the movement were Mac Record, R, Townsend and other Hutchinsonians who battled patiently and hopefully against overwhelming odds, Fortunately for the cause, it is at present led by that unswerving, never Weary, undying, courageous, honest, able and consistent prophet, P. P. Pendergast, ably assisted by his zealous lieutenants, N. S. Nelson and Mads Madsen.

The first musical politics appeared in the late fifties, as explained by the following Jetter written by Asa B. Hutchinson, addressed to a senator of that period:

"Dear friend and brother: Knowing your love for music and your willingness to aid every good word (song) and work in behalf of the musical fraternity, I have the first and only favor to ask, through you, of the legislature of our adopted state, viz: That before the close of the present session, you will form and pass a bill in the interest of free singing as well as free speaking, granting to any person or persons the right to hold public concerts of music anywhere in the state without license or penalty. The present infamous license is frequently perpetrated in our own adopted state upon those messengers of peace and good will, the musicians, thus hindering their usefulness in disseminating a higher civilization through the divine medium of song. Sincerely yours, Asa B. Hutchinson."

McLeod county was fundamentally democratic in politics in the beginning, having been settled by Germans, Irish and Southerners during a period of national democratic administrations. The defection of the German vote during the campaign of 1896 from the ranks of democracy has left the county ever since debatable ground but with a slight leaning to the party of Jefferson and Jackson.

The ablest representatives sent to the legislature by Me- Leod in times past, were undoubtedly Col. J. H. Stevens, Lewis Harrington, Liberty Hall, H. A. Childs and Henry Hill. The longest in service were W. T. Bonniwell and BE. A. Child. Bonniwell's great strength was in his unbreakable hold on the German vote; E. A. Child's in possessing the confidence of the Bohemians.

The late W. J. Ives made such a record as a legislator and upon the committee impeaching Judge E. St, Julian Cox, that he received the appointment as Dairy and Food Commissioner under Governors McGill and Merriam. W. W. Sivright's service in the house and senate was so eminently satisfactory that he received favorable mention for Lieut. Governor and Governor and was finally elected to the board of managers of the Minnesota State Fair, serving several terms with conspicuons efficiency.

political life of contemporaneous national history. She has seen within her boundaries the rise and fall of movements of great promise, the ebb and flow of parties, the glowing then flickering fires of enthusiasm for new issues. She has seen her sons struggle toward the pinnacle of fame, striving but never reaching the final goal of their ambitions; some browsing around the outer boundaries; some dying in sight of the promised land; some vainly listening for the Macedonian call. Disappointments, shattered ambitions there have been a plenty, The old warriors have passed from the scenes of battle. Their swords and shields are in the hands of younger gladiators. The same ambitions, the same hopes and the same aspirations still live and surge and struggle. The good book must have intended political reference in the passage that "many are called but few are chosen." Earnest, well meaning men there are in abundance, likewise demagogues and sordid place hunters and so will it likely ever be.