Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-17
pIylp,Na DAKOTA.

DIVIDING DAKOTA.
Anew Facts fron an Old Resident t-One
who knows what he 10 Talk.
ing About.
Correspondence Chicago Tribune.
Yankt,n, D. T., Dec. 10.-Your cores
pondcnt Linn" writing FROM the Black
Hills, 10 mistaken In some statements made
10 letter printed In your issue Of the 9th
inst. but touches Q subject of general In
terest. Referring to the proposed erection
of new territory under the name Of Lin
coin, to include that region, he repeats
statement locally made 10 him. based upon
prejudice and ignorance, which inquiry
would have rejected. He reflects upon the
laws of Dakota as there inapplicable, says
they we're passed BY the Gov" counties,
meaning the agricultural districts of this
region, and says they had no conception of
the needs OF district like the Hills.
The state of California is undoubtedly
the most enlightened. advanced. and we'll
governed mining region In America, and
has had more experience with the needs Of
both capital and labor - employed than any
other state or territory. It has
high fame for enlighted law and it's courts
have been celebrated for learning and abili-
ty since the day the state was organized.
Certainly, too, that state is as nearly like
the Black Hills in topography and other
characteristics Of the mining intere Is as
any part Of the United States: Our laws
are copied from those Of California very
largely. Our last legislative assembly en-
scted our "Revi'ed Codes, which had been
prepared with great labor BY q commission
bnt five codes, though they may 10 seven,-
political, civil, penal, criminal procedure,
civil procedure probate. and Justices the
latter three being all civil procedure. OF
theses seven codes all but the first are the
California law, and that relates to officers,
counties, munich ipalities generally, and local
administration which are much The same
in all northwestern states. In the prepara-
ton of these codes careful regard was had
to the latest amendments by the California
legislature and the decisions of their su-
preme court. OF cou,ce these codes are
similar to those of New York, Wisconsin,
and other states based upon the same svs
tenn.
In regard to mining laws and interests
specially, the codes are the same as Cali
fornia law, except the statute governing the
location and size of lOdes and mining
claims, which was taken from the latest
statute of Colorado and amended slightly,
but only at tile request and suggestion of
representatives from the Black Hills In at.
tendance upon our legislature. The law of
corporations, including mining and manu-.
| featuring. tunnels, bitches, and fumes, ard
wagon or toll roads. and all partnership and
commercial law, is identical with California.
Our law is severe in penalties. 1t does not
permit lawlessness or the forc;ble occupa-
ton and disposseSsion Of mines, as attempt
I'd of the Keets mine aud described by
Your correspondent +! forbids gambling
and gambling houses. bawdy houses, and
similar instItutions, and does net authorize
their license for revenue. 1t insists upon
regular process of law in the enforcement
of rights or the redress of wrongs. and for
bids the torcible seizure of offices and rec
ords like that recently done there. however
clear the legal title to them or right o
succession. 1t disavowe mobs in an,
form or for any purpose. 1t seems not t.
suit the present population there, or par
of them. Their defeat at Washington will
be due to lawlessness already exhibited, All,
to their pronounced dislike Of good laws.
There are two or three points wherein OH
laws do not best suit them. These are th'
time required to begin and bring to tria
civil actions in the higher courts, thou q
this is not extraordinary in older localities
and our very large exemptions. In al
other respects their objections are not vel
taken. and spring from ignorance or preju
dice, and perhaps desire to run matter
without much legal responsibility. TIL
writer is not opposed to the new territory
but let it be created upon basis of truth
Congress must look at two or three plai
facts, however. If that territory be organ
lied, what will be done with the propose
t territory of Huron out of the northern pal
of Dakota and if both be cut of, will it nc
6 limit the size of Dakota proper for futur
state? In brief would it not be far bette
for Huron to be separated and the remain
ing or south half of Dakota, including til
Black Hills, be erected into state il
, best permanent interests af all the sec
tions. The proposed state would not b
so long east and west as Nebraska. an,
its length would be with the natural ant
artificial routes by river and rail. 1t i
this looking forward to statehood whicl
causes all the opposition there is here t.
+. Lincoln territory. The Black Hills ar
now a great expense and Inconvenience
our territorial affairs, while they pay n
territorial tax. Their criminals cost tn
territory heavily, and cause the only deb
the territory now owes, yet one of thei
arguments in favor of separation is tha
the territory owes S15,0O0,O0O. 1t doe
not owe $4,000 in all. 1t will do we
to take with great allowance all talk o
this whole question from the Hills. TIE
, Cow counties are happily prosperou
: without political connection with then
W. II. H. BEADLE.
Ladies' Gold Pens and Pencils at th
p n Ronkeforo