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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 14, 2013
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<br />Whereas, declining to run for either the United States Senate of Governor of Indiana,
<br />Schuyler Colfax stated that presiding over the House as Speaker was “the more important office”
<br />than presiding over the Senate as vice-president; and
<br />Whereas, in November of 1868, Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax were elected, with
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<br />Schuyler Colfax becoming the 1 Speaker of the House to ever be elected Vice-President. Days
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<br />after the election, the 17 Vice-President elect married Ellen Wade, the niece of the Ohio
<br />Senator whom he had earlier defeated for the vice-presidential nomination. In April of 1870,
<br />Schuyler Colfax III was born who would become Mayor of the City of South Bend in 1898; and
<br />Whereas, leaving public elected office in 1872, Schuyler Colfax began a career as a
<br />public lecturer on his wartime relationship with President Lincoln. On January 13, 1885, on his
<br />way to another speaking engagement in Iowa, Schuyler Colfax was at a train station in Mankato,
<br />Minnesota where the temperature was reported to be 30 degrees below zero, was stricken by a
<br />heart attack and died.
<br />Whereas, it was written by Logan Esarey that:
<br /> “…South Bend lost its most distinguished citizen, and the country not only a
<br />leading statesman and patriot, but a good and noble man as well. He was among the most
<br />eminent men of the west, whose life record forms an integral part of the history, and not alone of
<br />South Bend but of the state and nation, and who is therefore most worthy of special mention in a
<br />work of his character….”
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<br /> Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as
<br />follows:
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<br />Section I. The South Bend Common Council believes that the countless contributions
<br />made by Schuyler Colfax, some of which include his loyalty as a leader and unsung champion of
<br />the passage of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments; as a leading orator; a
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<br />dedicated public servant as Speaker of the House of Representatives and as the 17 Vice-
<br />President of the United States should be publicly honored and celebrated.
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<br /> Section II. The Common Council notes that Schuyler Colfax name appears on schools,
<br />streets and many buildings in South Bend and that his final resting place in the City Cemetery
<br />located on North Elm Street, just west of downtown South Bend, which is the oldest formal
<br />cemetery in the city.
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<br />Section III. The Council further believes and agrees to spear-head, in collaboration with
<br />members and organizations throughout our community, an annual event dedicated to fostering
<br />greater attention and reflection upon some of the many Constitutional reforms which Schuyler
<br />Colfax dedicated his life to for so many years.
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<br />Section IV. The South Bend Common Council hereby declares Saturday, March 23,
<br />2013, as Schuyler Colfax Day in South Bend; and calls upon relatives of Schuyler Colfax, our
<br />teachers & educators, parents, residents and businesses to participate in creative programs aimed
<br />at honoring this special person who made our country a better place because of his tireless
<br />efforts.
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<br />Section V his Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by
<br />the Council and approval by the Mayor.
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<br />s/Tim Scott, First District s/Oliver J. Davis, Sixth District
<br />s/Henry Davis, Jr., Second District s/Derek D. Dieter, At-Large
<br />s/Valerie Schey, Third District s/Gavin Ferlic, At-Large
<br />s/Dr. Fred Ferlic, Fourth District s/Karen L. White, At-Large
<br />s/Dr. David Varner, Fifth District
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