History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

87

The fall of 1871 is noted for the many destructive conflagrations
in the Northwest, including the great Chicago fire. Several villages
in this State were either wholly or partially consumed, and much
property was burned up nearly all over the country. This was due
to the excessive dryness of the season. In this State alone nearly
3,000 families, or about 18,000 persons, were rendered houseless
and deprived of the necessaries of life. Relief committees were
organized at Detroit, Grand Rapids and elsewhere, and in a short
time $462,106 in money and about $250,000 worth of clothing were
forwarded to the sufferers. Indeed, so generous were the people
that they would have given more than was necessary had they not
been informed by the Governor in a proclamation that a sufficiency
had been raised.
The dedication of the soldiers' and sailors' monument at Detroit,
April 9, 1872, was a notable eventin Gov. Baldwin's time. This
grand structure was designed by RandolplhRogers,formerly of Michigan, and one of the most eminent of American sculptors now living.
The money to defray the expenses of this undertaking was raised by
subscription, and persons in all parts of the State were most liberal
in their contributions. The business was managed by an association incorporated in 1868. The monument is 46 feet high, and is
surmounted by a colossal statue of Michigan in 'bronze, 10 feet in
height. She is represented as a semi-civilized Indian queen, with
a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left. The dedicatory
lines in front are: " Erected by the people of Michigan, in honor
of the martyrs who fell and the heroes who fought in defense of
liberty and union." On the monument are many beautiful designs.
At the unveiling there was a large concourse of people fiom all
parts of the State, and the address was delivered by ex-Governor
Blair.
John J. Bagley succeeded to the governorship Jan. 1, 1873, and
served two terms. During his administration the new capitol was
principally built, which is a larger and better structure for the
money than perhaps any other public building in the United States.
Under Gov. Bagley's counsel and administration the State prospered in all its departments. The Legislature of 1873 made it the
duty of the Governor to appoint a commission to revise the State
constitution, which duty he performed to the satisfaction of all
parties, and the commission made thorough work in revising the
fundamental laws of this commonwealth.
Charles M. CrosWell was next the chief executive of this State,
exercising the functions of the office for two successive terms,
1877-'81. During his administration the public debt was greatly
reduced, a policy adopted requiring State institutions to keep
within tie limit of appropriations, laws enacted to provide more
effectually for the punishment of corruption and bribery in elections, the State House of Correction at Ionia and the Eastern
Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, and the now capitol at Lansing was completed and occupied. The first act of his