Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-18
DAKOTA AS A STATE.

DAKOTA AS A STATE.
The Chicago Times is opposed to Dakota
as a state, probably for the reason that 1t
opposes every wise and benedcient PROPOSE
ton. But it is comforting to know that
everything the Times opposes eventually
succeeds and its hostile attitude in this case
is a strong point in favor Of the righteous
ness of QUIZ cause. The Times says:
Judge Kidder, the delegate to congress
from Dakota, Gays he is going to devote
''the closing months of his term" to an
effort to procure the admission" Of Dakota
as a %"state." He says the population Of
that territory is now $4,000, which is more
than ten thousand less than the number re.
quisitc for a single representative constitu-
ency. And as the 125,00O would. under
a "state' organization, be represented in the
congress not only by one member OF the
house but also by two members Of the SEN
ate, Judge Kidder has no reason to doubt
that the arrangement would give to the pro-
f%essional party ringsters in Dakota quite as
great q proportion Of political potency as
any party ringsters on the continent could
claim.
In favor of this programme Of the Office
hunters in Dakota, Judge Kidder saws
dakota has progressed as far as it can as a
Territory, and can consistently claim a place
fin tbs l nion."
Is not Dakota in ''the union now? Is it
not now a part, a political division, of the
American republic, as much as Illinois, or
Minnesota, or Wisconsin? If it is not, pray
when did it cease to be? When did the in
habi,ants of Dakota get out of "the %union,"
and carry that part Of the national territory
along with them?
II the inhabitants Of Dakota have not
taken themselves and that portion of the
country out of ''the u%nion," they must be in
it, must occupy a place in it, and it follows
that Judge Kidder's statement that they can
claim a place in it is sheer nonsense.
But it ia not any more nonsensical than
his statement that dakota has progressed
as far as it can as a territory" Wtat is
there in the so.called Territorial form of
political organization that is inimical to
''progress?" What is there in the so. called
State" form of organization that renders it
more favorable to all social, moral, material,
economic, and political advancement than
the form now existing in Dakota?
All! there is this: Under the State
form there would be more offices for greedy
Office seekers to get; more revenue for MIN
ble-fngered of6ceholders to handle, and
more taxes for the hard-workipg producers
to pay. Here is Judge Kidder's point. The
ofhce-seekers in Dakota have progressed
as far as they can as holders of Office under
that form of organization. They have null
tiplied until there are not Offices enough to
go round. They want to progress further
In holding offices, in devouring public
money, in levying and collecting taxes.
This is the true meaning of Judge Kidder's
statement. This is why the ofice-seeking
tribe of Dakota propose to change the Or
ganlzation Of that portion ofthe nation from
the economical and excellent territorial
system to the costly and bad Estate" system.
1t is no. singular that the Times in the
vastness Of its iniquitv should view this
project as the programme of the Office
holders" but out this way we are con-
WINGED that it is very largely the programme
of the people who have already builded the
superstructure Of the coming state. The
Times asks if Dakota is not in "the union"
now. Practically it is not. 1t receives
none of the benefits of a state. Its educa
tional advancement is curtailed. Its navi.
gable streams remain unimproved. 1t con-
structs no public buildings. Its legislature
is restricted and its legislative representa-
ton limited by an arbitrary general law. 1t
has no voice in the management of its own
affairs at the national capital. 1t is a mem
Der of the union in the same sense that the
pauper inmates of an eastern poor house are
members Of the community which doles out
the pittance they receive. Our experience
to US that there is very much in
the 'so.called" territorial form of govern
nent which is inlmical to progress. The
condition is so evident that argument upon
his point is not necessary among our own
people, and we care little what the Chicago
Time. thinks about it. Under a state organ
cation there would be Offices for ofice.hold.
ers to fill, as there are now. But the addi-
dition to the list would be slight and the
general governm.n, would be relieved of
he expense Of supporting them. They
would undoubtedly be republicans, and that,
possibly, is the serious part of the PROPOSE
ion to the Times. But Dakota will become
state in spite Of political opposition. And
t will become a prosperous and wealthy
We are patiently awaiting our time.
4 NnalPna,4nsa ~,>..>-.-