Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-27


!. Try, arrived Saturday night from 81. Paul
where they have been on court martial duty
and left this morning for their respective
posts in the upper country.
THE EXEMPTION LAW.
II Yankton Citlxens beside byA Vote ef 20
to 30 That Il Must'nt 10 Med
died via.
Saturday nights gathering at Valentne Z
hall ives q popular a~ssemblage Of citissns,
some IF whom went there to express their
opinions upon the subject Ut the magnitude
Of the exemption which Dakota people shall
enjoy, and others went to see what was
going to be done about It. The hall was
full of people aud constant new arrivals
and their equivalent Of departures gave the
meeting an animated freshness It might not
otherwise have enjoyed. All classes and oil
n~ationalities were there assembled and there
was q great deal Of vigorous side converse
ton carried on among those who
we're afflicted with anxiety lest
the legislature might do something to
compel them to pay their debts. The con-
~serva,ive element, though not numerically
weak, recognized the fact that it was in the
minority, but good naturally agreed that as
every dog must have its day, theirs was
bound to come sometime. even though they
we're not now possessed Of the strength to
carry out their wishes for q modification Of
the exemption Law. Some mi who has
been counting noses declares that . vote
of the people would show.
majority in favor Of abolisbing excessive
exemption of property from seizure, but
that most every one on that side Of the
question was afraid to talk out loud about it
in public places, in consequence Of the un-
popularity Of their views in certain quar-
tiers. Be this as it may, Saturday nights
gathering was loudly in favor of things Is
they are.
The meeting organized by the election Of
Gov. Edmunds as chairman and ]. Parker
Hayward as secretary.
VIM. BAtt:gained the first hearing from
the floor and introduced the following reso'
buttons:
WHEREAS, We, the citizens Of Yankton
county, deem the present exemption Law
detrimental to the common interests of the
people of the territory, and our experience
teaches us that our credit abroad, both fnan,
cially and morally, has been injured BY tn,
operations of this law ; therefore, be it
Resolped. That while we deem any radi
cal change in the law at the present time
both unwise and ~inexpedient, yet We deem
it due to the honor of the territory and cred
it of its people, that at least a step in til.
right direction be taken BY the present leg
islature, and that q law be passed reducing
the present exemption, and protecting alik,
all classes of people, to take effect at ON.
future day, and without any application t,
debts contracted prior to the taking effect o
such law.
RESOLVED, That we most respectfully re
quest our representatives in the council anG
house of representatives to use their infu.
ence in bringing about the passage of such &
law.
Resolued, That we will, to the utmost, sup.
port them in any endeavors they may make
in favor Of the passage Of . law modifying
the present exemption law, as set forth in
these resolutions.
Resolved, That copies of these resolutions
be presented to the members of the council
and house of representatives from this
county.
MI. Blatt moved the adoption Of the reso-
l%utions.
DR.. Burleigh presented the following as q
substitute and moved its adoption:
Resolved, that it is inexpedient and detri-
mental to the best Interests of our people,
for the legislature at lis present session, to
repeal or in any other manner change the
present existing homestead and exemption
laws Of this territory.
DR.. Burleigh spoke in favor of the cub
stitute and presented in his usual eloquent
manner q picture Of the narrowing distress
which was liable to afaict the people ifcred
itors were permitted to step in and take
what was due them. 1t was evident that
the doctor had the s~ympathies Of the suscep-
tible element Of his audience, and he was
shrewd enough to hold to his pathetic line
Of argument long enough to fix it where
he wanted it.
Governor Pennington and General Dewey
each addressed the audience in turn, but
neither took such q decided stand as the
first speaker.
NJ. T. Wooley and VIM. Blatt spoke
earnestly in favor Of the original resolution.
When the substitute resolu.
ton came to a vote it was impossible
for the chair t decide which was the more
numerous the ayes or the noes, and q divis-
lon was called. Noses were counted BY the
secretary, which showed the vote to be
'eventy-one for to thirty sgsinst, and DR..
Burleigh's resolution was adopted. A great
nAnv n<on1a in tha roon, did MT voto