Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-13
STATEHOOD OR NEW TERRITORY.

Under this heading the Daily Times, OF
Deadwood, criticises the action of the late
legislature in passing the memorial to con-
gress in favor of q division of the territory
into two, aud protesting against the admis-
sion Of the whole as q state. 1t declares
that there were the best prospects of the
bill being passed which looked toward state
orgaization, and that the Times is SO IL
formed by Judge Kidder. The course OF
proceedings in congress gave no Indication
whatever Of success Of the state movement.
That Was the view of every msn who
studied the subject from this distance or
had special Information, from Washington.
There was no ground for belief that we
could become a stale as a whole one day
sooner than the southern half could become
a state.
But the Times is mistaken 10 another re-
spect when it says it had been the earnest
desire offs large portion of the territory
that we BE- admitted as a slate, and that our
delegate mas been 81 instructed. Who are
the best representatives Of the people, y few
individuals here aud there, requests arising
out Of peculiar conditions IN particular 10
c~alities, MEMBER Of both branches of the
legislative assembly recently elected from
everv part OF the territory and under oath
as officers, consulting together for the con,
mon good? So far as legislative action has
gone in Dakota it has been repeatedly and
most decidedly expressed in favor of 9 di-
vision of the territory upon or near the 46tb
parallel. Session after session for many
years memorials have been passed praying
for that division. There was q slight
change in this feeling during the last two
years. but it did not last long. It was fatL-
9 choice between two evils. The scheme
to cut up Dakota iuto strips $50 miles lorg.
north and south, showed more signs of life
for a short time than the state movement
ever has in congress. That was met BY
q strong remonstrance, and then 1t was de-
clared that we had better 60 Ia as one state
than be 80 divided. In that relation only |
has there ever been any considerable move
ment for the admission of Dakota as one
state.
No sooner had the late legislature organ
lied aud got down to work than the diff
culties of the present situation were felt
in all their aggravation. The evils
of the system Of territorial govern
ment as enforced by the United States, and
the ex rene difficulties Of Dakota's situation
under this bad system were never 80 app.r.
ent. There are three great parts Of Dakota,
each no better known to the body of people
in the other than it is 10 the rest of the
United States. There is no real local self
government possible with such diverae in
terests brought under one government 80
limited in powers aud weak in resources as
\ territory. Out Of the system and the
natural obstacles grow all our difficulties
The legislature has Struggled for years with
mpossibilities to make general laws and
yet make local laws out of them ; to join
Tor the general good and vet take care Of
.ocsl necessities. 1t has failed to accom-
plish its wishes often, and complaint has
been heard.
These dificultie, are fundamental they
ire growing every year ; they met the late
legislature in full force. Time nor growth
nor development nor wealth nor popula-
lion will Lessen the evils but rather increase
hem. Knowing these facts and the senti.
ment of their people the legislature passed
nearly unanimous vote . memorial
protesting against the longer continuance Of
lbese evils and especially against their per-
petuation in state organization. We be-
the public mind lie made up and right.
on this question. The FIRST thing for us
10 accomplish is . divifion Of the territory.
and If At the same time We can give the
Black Hills . better and more convenient
and advantageous territorial relation.