CHAPTER XXXIV.

GOVERNOR HENRY P. BALDWIN'S ADMINISTRATION-STEADY GROWTH OF THE STATE-CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT-GOVERNOR BALDWIN'S RE-ELECTION-THE STATE CAPITOL-THE GREAT AND DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN MICHIGAN - THE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT - ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BAGLEY.

HENRY P. BALDWIN, on being called to the high office of Governor of Michigan, in 1868, found the affairs of the State in a much more prosperous and satisfactory condition than they were when his predecessor took his seat. He found the nation at peace. The integrity of the Union had been secured, and freedom fully guaranteed to all in the land.. There was, indeed, cause for heartfelt gratitude for the blessings of peace, for the abundance of the harvests, for the rewards of labor, and for the moral, intellectual, and material advancement of the people.

Perhaps no period in the history of the State has been marked by a more steady and healthful growth in population, and in the wealth of the people of Michigan, than that of Mr. Baldwin's administration. It was estimated that, in 1869, the taxable valu ation of real and personal property in the State amounted to $400,000,000, while, in 1871, it exceeded $630,000,000.

There was nothing remarkable in the course of legislation dur ing the year 1869, but in the year following a question of considerable importance grew out of a Supreme Court decision, which caused the Governor, in July, to summon the Legislature, in extra session. A series of laws, enacted at five successive sessions of the Legislature, and approved by three successive Governors, had, by the decision mentioned, been pronounced uneonstitutional and void. These laws were intended to enable the people of either counties, townships, cities, or incorporated villages, in their corporate capacity, to aid in the construction of railroads. Under

the authority contained in these laws, securities or bonds for a very considerable amount had been delivered, and were then held by parties who had purchased them in good faith.

As this emergency could only be provided for by an amendment of the fundamental law of the State, the Governor earnestly recommended that an amendment to the Constitution be submit

MYRON BUTMAN was born in Milan, Erie county, Ohio, October 5, 1826. In 1855, he removed to Michigan and settled at Saginaw City, where he has been largely engaged in the lumber trade to the present time. He has through his constant exertions secured for himself quite a fortune and built up a business of considerable magnitude. Mr. Butman is one of the prominent citizens of Saginaw City, and is much respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

ted to the people at the general election to be held in November, 1870, such as would enable the several municipalities to ratify all such railroad aid bonds as had been issued and delivered to the people. This recommendation was duly carried out by the Legislature, and the necessary amendment submitted to the people, but was by them defeated.

At the expiration of Mr. Baldwin's first term, he took his seat for a second term of two years, having been reëlected in November, 1870. On the meeting of the Legislature in January, 1871, he found the affairs of the State in a condition of great prosperity in all departments. This was in no small degree due to the wise policy suggested by him, and executed by the Legislature during the previous session. The population of the State had increased from 749,113 to 1,184,059 in the decade preceding, and the assessed valuation of the real and personal property of the State had increased from $172,055,808 in 1861, to $630,000,000 in 1871.

By an act of Congress previously passed, it was made the duty of the Legislature to cause a new apportionment of the State into Congressional districts. From 1863 to 1870, Michigan had been entitled to six representatives in the lower branch of the national legislature; but, according to this last apportionment, which was based upon the ninth census, the number was increased to nine.

During the last two years of Mr. Baldwin's administration the question of building of the new State Capitol engrossed much of his attention. The Legislature received the full benefit of his wise counsel concerning this important project in his second regu lar message to it, which was convened in extra session in March, 1872. Most of his plans were acceded to by the Legislature, and all thus adopted have resulted in the better advancement of that object.

During 1870, the one-eighth mill tax for the purpose of constituting a sinking fund, was abolished, ample provision for the payment of the funded debt of the State having been made by setting apart some of the trust fund receipts, and such portion of the specific taxes as were not required for the payment of interest on the public debt. This caused a reduction in the State tax of $78,750.

The year 1871 must ever be remembered, on account of its great fires in several of the northwestern States. While the good people of Michigan were engaged in the noble work of furnishing relief to the sufferers by the great Chicago fire, the same devour

HON. THOMAS H. BOTTOMLEY. AMONG the representative men of St. Clair county, is the Hon. Thomas H. Bottomley. He was born in the town of Southouram, Yorkshire, England, on the 5th day of October, 1837, where his early life was spent.

Mr. Bottomley was educated at the Saltrauble Academy, Yorkshire, England, receiving a liberal education. He came to the United States in the year 1854, and took up his residence in the city of Buffalo, New York. Here he resided until 1856, when he emigrated to New Baltimore, Macomb county, where, by his great energy and business tact, he placed himself in comfortable circumstances, and gained the respect of his

ing element was making sad havoc in our own State. Thriving towns, farm and school-houses, churches, live stock, crops, and thousands of acres of valuable timber were consumed. Nearly three thousand families, or about eighteen thousand persons, were rendered houseless, and deprived of the necessaries of life. Relief committees were organized at Detroit and Grand Rapids, and in a short time there was subscribed by individuals and corporations within the State, and paid over to these committees, the sum of $462,106, besides two hundred and fifty thousand dollars' worth of clothing.

So prompt and bountiful were the donations, that, believing the people of Michigan would be unwilling to tax a generous public any longer than was necessary, the Governor issued a proclamation, thanking the public for their noble charity, and announcing that further contributions were unnecessary.

One of the most notable events that happened during the administration of Governor Baldwin was the dedication of the Soldiers and Sailors' Monument at Detroit, which event occurred on the ninth day of April, 1872. This monument was designed by Randolph Rogers, a native of Michigan, and one of the most eminent of American sculptors now living. The money required to erect this beautiful tribute to the heroes of the war was raised by subscription, the people from all parts of the State contribut ing most liberally to the object. The association under whose auspices the subscriptions were raised and the work done, was

fellow-citizens. From there he removed to Romeo, where an extensive business was perfected in hoop-skirts, etc., in 1865, and remained until the spring of 1872, from which place he removed to the village of Capac, St. Clair county, where his good qualities were soon ascertained by the people, and were rewarded by his nomination and election as representative of the third district of that county, in the State legislature, in November, 1872. He served in that body during its session of 1872-3. Mr. Bottomley has held several offices of trust in the different places where he has resided, which invariably were administered with credit to himself and fellow-citizens. At present he is one of the largest mer. chants in the village where he resides, and is doing a profitable business, not only in the mercantile line, but also as the contractor of the Lynn and Maple valley State ditch.