Wright County, Minnesota - Chapter 7: County Representation, 1915

Chapter 7: County Representation

Minnesota Becomes a Territory - Territorial Legislature - Seventh Council District - Fifth Council District - Constitutional Convention - State Representation - Various Districts that Have Included Wright County - Men Who Have Represented this County at St. Paul - Reapportionments - Congressional Representation.

After Wisconsin had been admitted as a state of the LTnion, May 29, 1848, steps were taken to have that part of the former territory which was left outside the state boundaries organized into a new territory to be called Minnesota. This, however, was not the initial movement in that direction. The Wisconsin enabling act was passed by congress August 6, 1846. On December 23 following a bill was introduced in the lower house bj' Morgan L. ]\Iartin, the delegate from that territory, providing for the organization of the territory of Minnesota. This bill was referred to the committee on territories, of which Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, was the chairman, who, January 20, 1847, reported in favor of the passage of the bill, but with the name changed to Itasca. When the matter came up again, February 17, there was much discussion as to the name. Mr. Wiuthrop, of Massachusetts, proposed Chippewa; J. Thompson, of Mississippi, who didn't care for Indian names, wanted Jackson ; while Mr. Houston, of Delaware, spoke strongly in favor of giving recognition to the Father of his Country by calling it "Washington. The matter ended with the retention of the name originally proposed, Minnesota, this being the name of the largest tributary of the Mississippi river within the borders of the new territory. It is a composite Sioux Indian word, and while there is some difference of opinion as to the exact meaning, that most generally accepted is "sky-tinted-water," which is a very satisfying and poetical, even if not accurate, interpretation. The real meaning is cloudy water.

At the so-called "Stillwater convention," held at Stillwater August 26, 1848, at which sixty-one delegates were present, memorials were prepared addressed to the President of the United States and to congress praying for the organization of a new territory. It had been assumed that the territorial government of Wisconsin still existed over that part of the original territory excluded from the state boundaries, and for this view there was the authority of a letter from James Buchanan, then secretary of state of the United States. John Catlin, tlie territorial secretary of Wisconsin, who had removed to Stillwater, issued a proclamation in his official capacity as acting governor of Wisconsin (Governor Henry Dodge having been elected United States Senator) calling an election to be held October 30, to select a delegate to congress. John H. Tweedy, the territorial delegate from Wisconsin, who was in sympathy with the movement, resigned and Henry H. Sibley was elected his successor. Mr. Sibley proceeded to Washington and presented his credentials, but it was not until the fifteenth of the following January that he was admitted to a seat, there having been much discu-ssion as to whether excluded territory was entitled to continued political existence and representation.

Mr. Sibley devoted himself assiduously to securing the passage in the United States senate of the bill for the creation of the territory of Minnesota which had been introduced at the previous session and met with gratifying success. His efforts in the house of representatives were less satisfactory, political questions entering largely into the matter, and it was not until March 3, 1849, the very last day of the session - and then only with the aid of Senator Stephen A. Douglas, who having been in the meantime elected to the United States senate from Illinois, was chairman of the committee on territories in that body as he had previously been in the house - that he succeeded in securing the passage of the bill. This was finally done under suspension of the rales,

At the time of the orjianization of Minnesota as a territory the country was deseribed as beinj;' "littU- more than a wihleruess." That wliieh lay west of the Jlississippi i-iver, from the Iowa line to Lake Itasea, had not yet been eeded b}' the Indians and was unoeenpied by the whites save in a very few instances. On the east side, in this more immediate vicinity, were trading posts with the eabins of a few employes at Sauk Rapids and Crow Wing. Away up at Pembina was the largest town or settlement within the boundaries of the new territory, where were nearly a thousaiul people, a large ma.iority of whom wei-e "Metis" or mixed bloods, French Crees or French Cliippewas.

In '\Minnesota in Three Centuries" attention is called to th(! fact that at this time the east side of the Mississippi, as far north as Crow Wing, was fast tilling up with settlers who had come to the country when it had been announced that the territory was organized. The settlers were almost entirely from the Northern States, many being from New England. The fact that the state which would succeed the territory would be a free state, without slavery in any form, made it certain that the first .settlers would be non-slaveholders, with but few people from the Southern States interested or in sympathy with the "peculiar institution."

Alexander Ramsey, of Pennsylvania, then only thirty-four years of age, was appointed by President Taylor the first governor of the new territory of Minnesota. His previous public experience had been as a member of the Twenty-eighth and Twentyninth congresses, in which he had displayed the sterling qualities and the marked ability which characterized his long after-career. From the time of his coming to Minnesota until the close of his life he remained one of its most loyal and honored citizens, filling many important positions both in the state and the nation. He arrived in St. Paul, May 27, 1849, and the hotels being full to overflowing proceeded with his family to Mendota, a fur trading station at the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, where he became the guest of Henry II. Sibley, remaining there luitil June 26.

On the first of June he issued a proclamation, said to have been prepared in a small room in Bass's log tavern which stood on the site now occupied by the Merchant's Hotel, making official announcement of the organization of the territory, with the following officers: Governor, Alexander Ramsey, of Pennsylvania; secretary, C. K. Smith, of Ohio; chief justice, Aaron Goodrich, of Tennessee; associate justices, David Cooper, of Pennsylvania, and Bradley B. Meeker, of Kentucky; United States marshal, Joshua L. Taylor; United States attorney, H. L. Moss. Mr. Taylor, having declined to accept the office of marshal, A. M. Mitchell, of Ohio, a graduate of West Point and colonel of an Ohio regiment in the Mexican war, was appointed to the position and arrived in St. Paul in August.

A second proclamation issued by Governor Ramsey June 11 divided the territory into three judicial districts, to which the three judges who had been appointed by the president were assigned. The present Wright county was included in the Second district, which comprised the county of La Pointe (a former Wisconsin county) and the region north and west of the Mississippi and north of the Minnesota on a line running due west from the headwaters of the Minnesota to the Missouri river, and over this district Judge Meeker presided.

The census of the territory taken in 1849 by an order of Governor Ramsey issued June 11, although including the soldiers at the fort and pretty much every living soul in the territory except Indians, footed up the disappointing toal of 4,764 - of which number 3,058 were males and 1,706 were females. Additional and revised returns made the population exactly 5,000 - males, 3,253 ; females, 1,747.

Another proclamation issued July 7, 1849, divided the territory into seven council districts and ordered an election to be held August 1 to choose one delegate to the house of representatives at Washington, and nine councillors and eighteen representatives to constitute the legislative assembly of Minnesota. The election passed off very quietly, politics entering scarcely at all into the contests, which were wholly personal. In all 682 votes were cast for the delegate to congress, Henry H. Sibley, who was elected without opposition.

The council districts were described in Ramsey's proclamation as follows: "No. 1. The St. Croix preciuct of St. Croix county, and the settlements on the west bank of the Mississippi south of Crow village to the Iowa line. 2. The Stillwater precinct of the county of St. Croix. 3. The St. Paul precinct (except Little Canada settlement). 4. Marine Mills, Falls of St. Croix, Rush Lake, Rice River and Snake River precincts, of St. Croix county and La Pointe county. 5. The Falls of St. Anthony precinct and the Little Canada settlement. 6. The Sauk Rapids and Crow Wing precincts, of St. Croix county, and all settlements west of the Mississippi and north of the Osakis river, and a line thence west to the British line. 7. The country and settlements west of the Mississippi, not included in districts 1 and 6. The territory now embraced in Wright county was included in the seventh district. The district included, generally speaking, all of the territory south of the Sauk river and west of the Mississippi river, but iioue of the settlements on the west hank of the Mississippi except such as might be found uortli of the settlements near St. Anthony Falls and south of the mouth of Sauk rivei'.

184!). - The first territorial legislature - called the territorial assembly - met Jlonday, September ;!, in the Cential House, St. Paul, a larjje log buildiufj: weatherboai-ded, wliieh served both as a state house and a hotel. It stood on i)r<ietically the present site of the Mannheimer block. On the first tlocn- of tiie main building the seci'etary's office and the dining room was oci-upied as the Representatives' chambei'. As the iiour for dinner oi' supper approached the House had to adjourn to give the servants an opportunity to nuike the necessary preparations for serving the meal. In the ladies' parlor on the second Hoor the Council convened for their deliberations. The legislature halls were not to exceed eighteen feet srpiare. Governor Ramsey, during his entire term of office, had his executive office in his j)rivate residence, and the supreme court shifted from i)lace to place as rooms could be rented for its use. Although congress had appropriated $20,000 for the erection of a capitol, the mom'y could not be used as "a permanent seat of government" for the teri-itory had not yet been selected, so the machinery of goveriunent iuul to be carted around in the most undignified nmnner. The seventh district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod, of Lae qui Parle ; and in the house by Alexis Baill.v, of Mendota, and Gideon H. Pond, of Oak Grove.

1851. - The second territorial legislature met January 1 and adjourned JIarch 31. Martin McLeod again represented the seventh district in the council ; while in the house were Alexander Faribault, of Mendota, and B. H. Randall, of Fort Snelling.

The territory, having been divided into counties, it was apportioned by the second territorial legislature (1851) into seven districts. The north fork of the Crow river divided the present Wright county. The area south of that fork, as a part of Dakota county, was in the sixth district, while the area north as a part of Cass count.v was included in the fifth district which consisted of Benton and Cass counties.

1852. - The third territorial legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 6. The fifth district was represented in the council by S. B. Lowry, of Watab; in the house by James Beatty, of Itasca, and David Day, of Long Prairie. The sixth district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod, of Oak Grove ; and in the house by James McBoal, of Mendota, and B. H. Randall, of Ft. Snelling.

1853. - The fourth territorial legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned March 5. The fifth district was represented in the council as in 1852 by S. B. Lowry. David Day was in the house again. The new member from the district was J. McKee. The sixth district was again represented in tlie council by Martin McCloud. B. H. Randall was again in the house and the new member from the sixth district was A. E. Ames. This legislature changed the boundary lines of certain counties and created certain new counties. The part of what is now Wright county lying north of the north fork of the Crow river still remained in Cass county. The part lying south of it was included in Sibley county. Possibly a small portion in the southwestern part of the present county was included in Nocollet county. In spite of these changes in county lines, the boundaries of the legislative districts remained the same.

Franklin Pierce having been elected president of the United States in the previous November, promptlj' proceeded after his inauguration, in accordance with the good old Jacksonian doctrine, to remove the Whig officeholders and distribute the spoils among the victors. The new territorial appointees were : Governor, Willis A. Gorman, of Indiana ; Secretary, J. T. Rosser, of Virginia ; Chief Justice, W. H. Welch, of Minnesota ; Associates, Moses Sherburne, of Maine ; and A. G. Chatfield, of Wisconsin. Soon after entering on the duties of his office, Governor Gornmn concluded a treaty at Watab with the Winnebago Indians for an exchange of territory. At the election in October Henry M. Rice was elected delegate to Congress.

1854. - In 1854 the legislature of Minnesota for the first time assembled in a regular capitol building, its previous sessions having been held haphazard wherever accommodations could be had. This building, begun in 1851, but not completed until the summer of 1853, at a cost of something over $40,000, was totally destroyed by fire on the evening of March 1, 1881, while both branches of the legislature were in session. Some of the more vahiable papers in the various offices were saved, but the law library and many thousands of documents and reports were burned. The total loss was about .$200,000. The present "Old Capitol" was erected on the site of the first building. The fifth session assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. The fifth district was represented in the council by S. B. Olmsted, of Belle Prairie ; and in the house by R. M. Richardson and Peter Roy. The sixth district was represented in the council by Joseph R, l^rown ; and in the house by Ilesekiah Fletcher and William H. Nobles.

1855. - The sixth territorial legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned March 3. S. B. Olmsted again represented the fifth disti'iet in the council, while James Beatty and Fred Andros represente(l that district in tli(> house. Joseph R. Brown again rejiresentt'd the sixth district in the council, and Henry H. Sibley and I). M. Hanson represented the district in the house. It was this legislature that created Wright cotuity.

By the .ipportioniiu'iit of IS'io, Wrig;ht county was iiu'luilod in the tiftli district. The other eounties in the distriet were Henton, Cass, Todd and Stearns.

1856. - The seventh territorial h'j;ishiture assembled January 2 and adjourned ^lareh 1. Tlie tilth distriet was represented in the couueil by Lewis Stone, of Rojalton, Benton county. In the house from this district the representatives were : John L. Wilson, of St. Cloud, Stearns county; anil William Stui'gis, of Little Falls, Bentou county.

1857. - The eighth and last territorial legislatin-e asseiidded January 7 and adjourned ^larch 7. The extra session lasted from April 27 to JMay 20. The fifth district was represented in the council by Lewis Stone, as on the previous year. Samuel B. Abbe, W. W. Kingsbury and John L. Wilson represented the district in the house. At this session was the memorable struggle over the removal of the capitol from St. Paul to St. Peter, when "Jo" Rolette, the member who had charge of the removal bill, mysteriously disappeared with that document in his possession and remained in seclusion until the liour for adjournment arrived, to the great joy and relief of St. Paul, which thereby retained tlie eapitol.

ilarch o. 1857, congress passed an act authorizing the people of iliunesota to form a state constitution. Each council district was to be represented in this convention by two representatives for each councilman and representative to which it was entitled. The ninth district, which consisted of Winona, Olmsted, and Wabasha counties, was entitled to eight delegates, but for some reason ten members from this district were seated. The constitutional convention, consisting of 108 members, was authorized to meet at the capital on the second ]\londay in July, to fi'ame a state constitution and submit it to the people of the territory. The election was held on the first IMonday in June, 1857. July 13 the delegates met. but, a disagreement arising in the organization, the Republican members organizetl one body and the Democrats another, tifty-nine ilelegates being given seats in the former and fifty-three in the latter, making 112 in all. Eacii of these bodies, claiming to be the legally constituted convention, proceeded with the work of formulating an instrument to be submitted to the people. After some days an understanding was eti'ected between them, and by means of a committee of conference, the same constitution was frametl and adopteil by both bodies. On being submitted to tiie i)eople. October VA. 1857, it was ratified.

William Sturgis, of Little Falls; William W. Kingsbury; R. H. Barrett, J. C. Shepley and J. W. Tenvoorde. Frederick Ayer, a pioneer missionary, sat on the Republican wing as a representative from this district.

The history of this convention is so graphically given by W. H. C. Folsom, who was one of its members, in his interesting volume, "Fifty Years in the Northwest," that we quote it almost entire :

"The state was nearly equally divided between the Republicans and Democrats, still the question of politics did not enter largely into the contest except as a question of party supremacy. The people were a unit on the question of organizing a state government under the enabling act and in many cases there was but a single ticket in the field. It was a matter, therefore, of some surprise that there should be a separation among the delegates into opposing factions, resulting practically in the formation of two conventions, each claiming to represent the people and each proposing a constitution. The delegates, although but 108 were called, were numbered on the rolls of the two wings as 59 Republican and 53 Democratic, a discrepancy arising from some irregularity of enrollment, by which certain memberships were counted twice. The Republican members, claiming a bare majority, took possession of the hall at midnight, twelve hours before the legal time for opening the convention, the object being to obtain control of the offices and committees of the convention, a manifest advantage in the matter of deciding upon contested seats.

"In obedience to the call of the leaders of the party, issued the day before, the writer, with other Republicans, repaired to the house at the appointed hour, produced his credentials as a delegate, and was conducted into the illuminated hall by Hon. John W. North. The delegates were dispersed variously about the hall, some chatting together, others reading newspapers, smoking or snoring, and here and there one had fallen asleep in his seat. Occasionally a delegate nervously examined his revolver as if he anticipated some necessity for its use.

"The Democratic delegates were elsewhere, probably plotting in secret conclave to capture the hall, and perhaps it might be well enough to be prepared for the worst. Thus the remainder of the night passed and the forenoon of July 13. As soon as the clock struck twelve the Democratic delegates rushed tumultuously in, as if with the purpose of capturing the speaker's stand. That, however, was already occupied by the Republican delegates and the storming party was obliged to content itself with the lower .steps of the stand. Both parties at the moment the clock ceased striking were yelling "order" vociferously, and nominating their officers pro tem. Both parties effected a tem-

Democratic wing adjourned at once to tlie senate chamber and there effected a permanent oi'ganization. Tlie Republicans, being left in inidisturbed possession of the hall, perfected their organization, and the two factions set themselves diligently to work to frame a constitution, each claiming to be the legally constituted convention, and expecting recognition as such by the people of the state and congress. The debates in each were acrimonious. A few of the more moderate delegates in each recognized the absurdity and illegality of their position and questioned the propriety of remaining and participating in proceedings which they could not sanction.

"The conventions continued their sessions inharmoniously enough. Each frameil a constitution, at the completion of which a joint committee was appointed to revise and harmonize the two constitutions, but the members of the committees were as belligerent as the conventions they represented. Members grew angry, abusing each other with words and even blows, blood being drawn in an argument with bludgeons between two of the delegates. An agreement seemed impossible, when some one whose name has not found its way into history made the happy suggestion that alternate articles of each constitution be adopted. When this was done, and the joint production of the two conventions was in presentable shape, another and almost fatal difficulty arose, as to which wing should be accorded the honor of signing officially this remarkable document. One body or the other must acknowledge the paternity of the hybrid. Ingenuity amounting to genius (it is a pity that the possessor should be unknown) found a new expedient, namely, to write out two constitutions in full, exact duplicates except as to signatures, the one to be signed by Democratic officers and members and the other by Republicans. These two constitutions were filed in the archives of the state and one of them, which one will probably never be known, was adopted by the people October 13, 1857."

Mr. Folsom is slightly in error. The enabling act did not specify any hour for the meeting of the convention, nor did it designate any definite place in the capitol where the sessions should be held, both of which omissions contributed to the eonfusion in organization. W. W. Folwell, in his "History of Minnesota, ' ' narrates the preliminaries as follows : "To make sure of being on hand, the Republican delegates repaired to the capitol late on the Sunday night preceding the first Monday in June and remained there, as one of them phrased it, 'to watch and pray for the Democratic brethren.' These did not appear till a few moments before twelve o'clock of the appointed day. Immediately upon their entrance in a body into the representatives'

Jiall Charles R. Chase, secretary of the territory and a delegate, proceeded to the speaker's desk and called to order. A motion to adjourn was made by Colonel Gorman, and the question was taken by Chase, who declared it carried. The Democrats left the hall to the Republicans, who proceeded to organize the convention. Fifty-six delegates presented credentials in proper form and took their oaths to support the constitution of the United States. At noon of Tuesday the Democratic delegates assembled about the door of the hall, and finding it occupied by citizens who refused to give them place, met in the adjacent council chamber and proceeded to organize the convention. Heni-y H. Sibley was made chairman, on motion of Joseph R. Brown, and later became president of the body."

After the adjournment of the constitutional convention the Republicans and Democrats held their party conventions, each nominating a full state ticket and three candidates for Congress. The Republican candidate for governor was Alexander Ramsey and the Democratic candidate Henry H. Sibley. The election was held October 13, 1857, the constitiition being adopted by an overwhelming vote ; H. H. Sibley was elected governor by a majority of only 240 in a total of 35, '240 votes, and the Democrats had a small majority in the legislature.

State Representation

The first Minnesota state legislature assembled December 2, 1857. There was a serious question, however, as to whether it was really a state legislature, as Minnesota had not yet been admitted to the Union. There was a question as to the recognition of Samuel Medary, the territorial governor, as governor of the state, but by a vote of 59 to 49 he was so recognized by the legislature, and he, in turn, in his message recognized the law-making body as a state legislature. None of the state officers could take the oath of office, and the Republican members of the legislature entered a formal protest against any business whatever being done until after the admission of the state as a member of the Union. But the Democrats having a majority, decided to hold a joint convention December 19 for the election of two United States senators. Henry M. Rice was elected for the long term on the first ballot, but it was not until after several ballotings that General James Shields won the short term. He was a new comer from Illinois and his election was a bitter pill for many of the old Democratic war-horses, such as Sibley, Steele, Brown and Goinian.

As a means of relieving the state from the awkward predicament in which it was placed the legislature adopted March 1 an amendment to the constitution authorizing the newly-elected officers to qualify May 1, whether the state was admitted by that date or not, this aiueiulnu'iit to be siiljiiiittcd to the voters at an eleetion ealled for April 15. A seeoiul aiueiidiuent, submitted at tlie same time, provided for tlie famous .'i!5,000,000 railroad bond loan, whieh was the cause of jjreat loss and f^reat bitterness to the peojile. Both amendments were overwhelmingly adopted, but in Novendier, 1S60, the bond amendment was expunged from the constitution, after $2.1i7r),U()0 bonds had been issueil. The legislature, ilareh 125, took a recess initil .lune '2.

In the meantime the steps looking toward the recognition of Minnesota's statehood by Congress had lagged sadly. For some unknown reason President Buchanan had delayed until tlie nuddle of .laiuiary, 1858, transmitting to the United States Senate the constitution adopted by the people. A bill for the admission of Minnesota as a state was introducetl by Stephen A. Douglas, chairman of the committee on teiritoiies. When this bill came up February 1 there was a prolonged a number of the senators being in opposition because it would add another to the number of free states, thus disturbing the "balance of power'' between the free and slave states. Among those participating in the debate were Senators Douglas, Wilson, Gwin, Hale, Mason, Green, Brown and Ci'ittendeii. the latter being much more moderate in his expressions than most of his fellow senators from the South. The debate continued initil April 8, when the English bill, which pi'ovided for the admission of Kansas as a supposed slave state having passed, the opposition ceased, and Minnesota's bill was adopted by a vote of 49 to 3. The bill then went to the House, where it met the same kind of objections as had been raised in the Senate, the English bill standing in the way until May 4, when it was passed. One week later. May 11, the bill admitting Minnesota passed the House by a vote of 157 to 38, the following day receiving the approval of the President, and May 12, 1858, Minnesota obtained full recognition as a state in the Union. Informal news of the action of Congress reached St. Paul, by telegraphic information brought from La Crosse, Wisconsin, May 13, but the official notice was not received until some days later, and May 24 the state officers elected in October, 1857, took their oaths of office.

By the apportionment of 1857 set forth in the state constitution adopted October 13, 1857, Wright and Carver counties were constituted the nineteenth district, with one senator and three representatives.

1857-58. - The first state legislature, as already noted, assembled December 2, 1857. On March 25, 1858, it took a recess until June 2, and finally adjourned August 12. The state was admitted May 11, 1858. It will, therefore, be seen that, although this legislature is called the first state legislature, nevertheless it assembled in territorial times. The nineteenth district was rep- resented iu the senate by Samuel E. Adams. Ernst Heyd and Ebenezer Bray (of Carver county) sat in the house. The district was entitled to three representatives, but apparently only two took their seats. Mr. Bray, one of the representatives from this district, revealed himself as one of the two members who had sensitive consciences. During the adjournment from March 25 to June 2 there were sixty-eight days. The members did not dare to vote themselves pay for this period of idleness, so it was voted that each member could draw $75 from the state treasury "for stationery." Ebenezer Bray, from this district, and Robert C. Masters, from Dakota county, refused to be a party to this raid on the treasury and never drew the $75. All the rest received the money.

1858-59. - No session was held in the winter of 1858-59. mainly owing to the protracted session of 1857-58, which was believed to render unnecessary another one following so soon, the legislature of that year having so provided by enactment.

1859-60. - The second state legislature assembled December 7, 1859, and adjourned March 12, 1860. The nineteenth district was represented in the senate by Samuel E. Adams, and in the house by John S. Letford, F. A. Renz and Jackson Taylor.

By the apportionment of 1860, Wright county was placed in the sixth district, which was to have one senator and three representatives. The other counties in the district were Carver, Meeker, McCloud, Kandiyohi and Monongalia.

1861. - The third state legislature assembled January 8 and' adjourned March 8. The sixth district was represented in the senate by Samuel Bennett and in the liouse by I. P. Kennedy. T. D. Smith and William R. Baxter.

1862. - The fourth state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 4. The sixth district was represented in the senate by Charles A. Warner and in tlie liouse by W. G. Butler, C. F. Davis and B. G. Lee.

On account of the Indian outbreak in 1862, an extra session was called by the governor. It assembled September 9 and adjourned September 29.

1863. - The fifth state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned March 6. The sixth district was represented in the senate by Charles A. Warner and in the house by W. G. Butler, C. F. Davis and B. G. Lee.

1864. - The sixth state legislature assembled January 5, and adjourned March 5. The sixth district was represented in the senate by Charles A. Warner and in the house by W. G. Butler, John S. Letford and Henry Hill.

1S66. - The eighth state legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned ^lareh 2. The sixtli district was represented in the senate by G. 1). George and in the house by Dana E. King, L. Harrington and C'hauneey W. Griggs.

By the apportionnu'ut of 1886, Carver county was taken from the sixth distriet. Wright, Sleeker, MeCloud, Kandiyohi and Monongalia were left in the distriet. It was to be represented by one senator anil two representatives.

1867. - The ninth state legislature assenibleil January 8 and adjourned March 8. The sixth district was represented in the senate by H. L. Gordon and in the house by Dana E. King and P. W. Savage.

1S6S. - The tenth state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 6. The sixth district was represented in the senate by H. L. Gordon and in the house by Lewis Harrington and J. B. Salisbury.

1869. - The eleventh state legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned March 5. The sixth district was represented in the senate by Dana E. King and in the house by W. W. Patterson and D. Pile.

1870. - The twelfth state legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. The sixth ilistrict was represent(>d in the senate by Dana E. King and in the house by B. Abbott and A. H. Reed.

1871. - The thirteenth state legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 3. The sixth district was represented in the senate by W. T. Bonniwell and in the house by W. H. Greenleaf and Andrew Railson.

By the apportionment of 1871 Wright county for the first time constituted a separate district. It was designated the thirtysecond and was to have one senator and two representatives.

1872. - The fourteenth state legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The thirty-second district was represented in the senate by G. A. Ruekholdt and in the house by F. X. Lafond and C. B. Jackson.

1873. - The fifteenth state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 7. The thirty-second distriet was represented in the senate by G. A. Ruekholdt and in the house by J. E. Jenks and T. G. Mealey.

1874. - The sixteenth state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned March 6. The thirty-second district was represented in the senate by T. G. Mealey and in the house by Nathan Warner and Valentine Eppel.

1876.^ - The eighteenth state legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 3. The thirty-second district was represented in the senate by J. N. Stacy and in the house by Nathan Warner and John Oakes.

1877. - The nineteenth state legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The thirty-second district was represented in the senate by J. N. Stacy and in the house by A. Peterson and Elijah J. Cutts.

1878. - The twentieth state legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 8. The thirty-second district was represented in the senate by T. G. Mealey and in the house by Nathan Warner and L. H. Rawson.

1879. - The twenty-first state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 7. The thirty-second district was represented in the senate by T. G. Mealey and in the house by J. N. Stacy and Henry Moores.

1881. - The twenty-second state legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. The thirty-second district was represented in the senate by T. G. Mealey and in the house by E. J. Cutts and T. C. Porter.

An extra session was called for the purpose of considering the legislation at the regular session relating to the state railroad bonds, which were declared unconstitutional by the supreme court. The session commenced October 11 and closed November 13.

By the apportionment of 1881, Wright and Sherburne counties were united as the thirty-third district. The district was to have one senator and three representatives. Beginning with 1881, the sessions of the legislatiu'e have been biennial. However, annual elections continued to be held until 1886.

1883. - The twenty-third state legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The thirty-third district was represented in the senate by W. II. lioidton and in the house by J. Smith, T. C. Porter and II. Holmstrom.

1885. - The twenty-fourth state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned March 6. The thirty-third district was represented in the senate by W. H. Houlton and in the house by T. C. Porter, II. Holmstrom and J. Smith.

1887. - The twenty-fifth state legislature assembled January 4, and adjourned March 4. The thirty-third district was represented in the senate by A. Y. Eaton, and in the house by H. Kreis, F. E. Latham and E. F. Ilurd.

By the a]iportionineut of 1889, Wripht and a part of Sherburne county were eonstituted the Ihirly-eighth disti'iet with one senator and four i-ejiresentatives.

1895. - The twenty-ninth state legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned April 23. The thirty-eighth district was represented in the senate by W. E. Culkin and in the house by H. E. Craig, A. N. Dare, S. J. Swanson and C. C. Rice.

1897. - The thirtieth state legislature assembled January 5, and adjourned April 21. The thirty-eighth district was represented in the senate by Wm. E. Culkin and in the house by A. N. Dare, J. M. Belden, G. P. Boutwell and Ole Mattsou.

By the apportionment of 1897, Wright county again became a separate district. It was designated the forty-sixth, with one senator and two representatives.

1899. - The thirty-first state legislature assembled Jaiiuar.v 3, and adjourned April 18. The forty-sixth district was repi'csented in the senate by E. Y. Chilton anil in the lious(> by Frank Swanson and G. P. Boutwell.

1901. - The thirty-second state legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned April 12. The forty-sixth district was represented in the senate by E. Y. Chilton and in the house by John T. Alley and Frank Swanson.

An extra session was called for the purpose of considering the report of the tax commission created by the act of 1901. The extra session convened February 4, 1902, and adjourned March 11, 1902.

1903. - The thirty-third state legislature assembled January 6, and adjourned April 12. The forty-sixth district was represented in the senate by George C. Carpenter and in the house by E. M. Nagel and C. J. Carlson.

190,5. - The thirty-fourth state legislature assembled January 7, and adjourned April 18. The forty-sixth district was represented in the senate by J. T. Alley, and in the house by A. Hanaford and A. J. Wood.

1909. - The thirty-sixth state legislature assembled January 5, and adjourned April 22. The forty-sixth district was represented in the senate by Geo. C. Carpenter and in the house by E. M. Nagel and C. J. Carlson.

1911. - The thirty-seventh state legislature assembled January 6, and adjourned April 19. The forty-sixth district was represented in the senate by Geo. C. Carpenter and in the house by J. P. Lee and August Haiften.

1913. - The thirty-eighth state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned April 2-1. The forty-sixth district was represented in the senate by Geo. C. Carpenter and in the house by August Hafften and J. P. Lee.

At several successive sessions of the legislature prior to that of 1913 attempts had been made to secure a new apportionment. The last had been in 1897 and a great change in the population had taken place in the meantime - the northern part of the state having increased while in the southern part the gain had been slight, in some counties an actual loss having taken place. At the 1913 session, after a protracted struggle, a compromise bill was agreed upon, by which the number of senators was increased to 67 and the number of representatives to 130, although tlie legislature was already one of the largest in the United States and altogether out of proportion to the population. By this apportionment, Wright county became the twenty-seventh district with one senator and two representatives.

1915. - The thirty-ninth legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned April 22. The twenty-seventh district was represented in the senate by J. T. Alley, and in the house by August Hafften and J. E. Madigan.

Congressional Representation

Wright county has been represented in congress since Minnesota became a state as follows: W. W. Phelps, Democrat (Goodhue county), May 12, 1858 to March 4, 1859; Cyrus Aldrich, Republican (Hennepin county), March 4, 1859 to March 4, 1863; Ignatius Donnelly, Republican (Dakota county), March 4, 1863 to March 4, 1869 ; Eugene M. Wilson, Democrat (Hennepin county), March 4, 1869 to March 4, 1871; John T. Averill, Republican (Ramsey county), March 4, 1871 to March 4, 1875; William S. King, Republican (Hennepin county), March 4, 1875 to March 4, 1877; Jacob H. Stewart, Republican (Ramsey county), March 4, 1877 to March 4, 1879; William D. Washburn, Republican (Hennepin county), March 4, 1879 to March 4, 1883; William D. Washburn, Republican (Hennepin county), March 4, 1883 to March 4, 1885; J. B. Gilfillan, Republican, March 4, 1885 to March

Until Minnesota became a state it had only one representative in congress, a territorial delegate, who was not allowed to vote. The first territorial delegate from Minnesota was Henry H. Sibley, who was tirst sent ostensibly as a delegate from the territory of Wisconsin, though living on the present site of Mendota, at the nioutli of the Minnesota river. He sat as a territorial delegate from January 15, 1849, to March 4, 1853. He was succeeded by Henry M. Rice, who served from December 5, 1853, to March 4, 1857. W. W. Kingsbury was elected to succeed him and served from December 7, 1857, to March 3, 1859. As has been noted, the United States senate, February 23, 1857, passed an act authorizing the people of Minnesota to form a constitution preparatory to their admission to the Union. In accordance with the provisions of tliis enabling act, a constitutional convention was held July 13, 1857. at the territorial capital. October 13, 1857, an election was held, when the constitution was adopted and a full list of state officers elected. Three congressmen were also elected at this time, George L. Becker, W. W. Phelps and J. M. Cavanaugh. But it was afterwards fouiul that Minnesota was entitled to only two congressmen and the matter was amicably adjusted by the withdrawal of Mr. Becker. By this election the Messrs. Phelps and Cavanaugh became the first members of congress from the state of iMinnesota.

For a time the two congressmen were elected "at large," though in order to comply with constitutional requirements there was a nominal division of the state into two districts, one being said to represent the northern district and the other the southern district.

By the apportioiunent of 1872, the state was divided into three congressional districts. Wright county was included in tiie third district, with Ramsey, Hennepin and various counties to the north.

The apportionment of 1881 divided the state into five districts. Wright county was in the fourth district with Washingon, Ramsey, Hennepin, Pine Kanabec, Anoka, Chisago, Isanti and Shurburne counties.

The next apportionment, that of 1891, increased the number of congressional districts to seven. Wright county was placed in the sixth district with Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, St. Louis, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wadena counties.

In 1901 the state was divided into nine congressional districts. Wright county still remained in the sixth district. The other counties in the district were: Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, Hubbard, Meeker, Morrison, Sherburne, Todd, Wadena and Stearns.

In 1913 the state was divided into ten districts. Wright county was placed in the tenth district. The rest of the territory in the district consisted of the counties of Pine, Chisago, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Isanti and Anoka, and all of the county of Hennepin (except the town of St. Anthony), outside of the city of Minneapolis, and the third, fourth and tenth wards of the city of Minneapolis.