The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-05-14
VOL. III.
Legislative Prospects.

Congress evidently intends in its sweep
ing attemps III economy TO cripple the
Territories in the shape of Lcgi ,la,ive rep.
rcscnlnti n. And has, through the House
Of Representatives in the committee of
the whole approved u bill which provides
for reducing and limiting the number Of
members Of the Council to 9, and the
Assembly to lS, thus cutting down tn"
Council four and the House eight. The
bill also reduces the per diem from $6 to
81 per day.
AZ to the hrst provisions Of the bill reduc.
ing the representations, we think it An un-
warranted infringement upon the right "t
the citizens of the territories. II can not
| be based upon reason or right aud such
an act is without precedent Ono ot the
| fundamental principles Of our American
government is the right of representation,
and tha: in proportion to population.
How long since the rebel tirecailg
slaveholdiny south WAS clam 'riny for rep.
resentatIon, and increas: up,n tne b.r.
barous nhuman basis of chattcl property
in human flesh, and to increase their pow
er and extend the field for planting this
basis in territory then free sought to carry
out their netArious scheme by protecting
it with law.
The repeal Of the Miss ,uri compromise,
the first step towards breaking the barriers
that the loves and advocates of freedom
had established. The Kansas, Nebraska
scheme that subsequently arose, bu, thanks
to al overrullng Providence proved The
settler to further extensions, rs far as the
protection of Congress was concerned
And when these outlaws failed aid were
thwhr,ed in their schemes. then s"ught ~
Oyerturn the very government that hai
enrichcd and built them up, because il
would stand 10 longer their unlawful i'm
porlunitics tor power and tne..!s to rule.
For II years this Territory has had IN
its Lcgislali ve Assembly. a Representation
lhal WAS in fac. only fair and proper one
and suita ble for the days Of its infancy.
Now with p ,pulation Of nearly 1J0,OJJ
to reduce that representation is ser
iuus wrong.
. The prctcnsc, is economy and CONES
with mighty poor grace from mel whose
nu great sin has been robbery They
stole the Nations Arnnry, ahd caused by
their own outlawry the great debt thai
now burdens the present race with its ov-
empowering weight.
Pcnny-wisc and pound foolish is hu,
mild ndagc to sound in 'hcir ears. Tia,
rebel element that now has gained ascend.
ency in Congress, would If within its pow
er, stifc everything that tends to advance
ard sustain enlightened communities at
the north
To develop these new and struggling
portions, Congress should BE- the last tn
aud in impeding proyre 50, encouragement
if not practical aid shoull be ex,enled'
tion, no small or tritliny m,tter, To- col-
tend with The Indian tribes within her
borders, and the troubles with them in
the years past, tended greatly to check her
advancement The visitation of yraSShup,
pers, and failur" Of crops, tAA Isl .'i' Il
from RI ilrowds. and the successful efforts
of powerful corporations and rival locali
ties, in divertlng migration from her.
The ny .erIly policy ri h : 'vc:A II II il
giving her no appropria ions for pu 'lic
buildings, all combined has seriously re-
tardeu her advancement And now whrn
merits are being made known, and 'hous-
ands are yearly establishing themselves
in homes within her limits. nnl hen her
great increase OF population, bv rig,t :nl
precedent entities hcr 10 admission rs IL
state. she not only Is doomed 10 remain
y submissive ward of the 'vernm:At, but
her little home Congress must 6c cut
down to the ludicrous rates Of representa-
tiOn about equal to some eastern counties
Boards of Supervisors.
AS to the reduction Of psy from six to
four doll rs, that is all ri lit, four dollars
IS enough; but the other attempt OF RI due
ing representation, is but dem.goguc'S
attempt to make capital for :he Fall cam
pnign in the States, upon the scale of
economy, 1t would be n mercy to this
Government i: some Of those XSs Repre-
sertatives in Congress should be elected
to stay at home. Judge K;dder lahnred
hard to defeat this infamous measure, but
preseut indications are that it will sue.
ceed