Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-22
DAKOTA IN

Dakota matters are progressing favorably
in congress this session, 80 far as the brief
meas of the session has permitted anything
to progress. The bill creating the new
Grand Forks land district passed the house
on the 18th inst. also the bill abolishing
the military reservations of Forts Seward.
Abercrombie AID Ransom. There is every
prospect that these bills will pass the senate
very soon after the recess. By the former
tine northeastern portion Of Dakota is made
. land district, with the land Office at Grand
Forks, in Grand Forks county. 1t will be .
great convenience to settlers in the lower
Red river valley aud westward from that
region and the initial step 10 the develop
ment Of . vast region of natural productive.
ness. By the latter bill the lands of the
Seward Abercrsmbie and Ransom military
reservations will pe thrown upon the mar
ket for purchase and settlement. Fort Sew.
ard 10 located at jamestown and lie reserva-
ton takes in Q portion Of the town site.
Fort Ransom 10 IN Ran som county, on the
Sheyenne river and the military reservation
attached thereto contains about four town.
ships. Fort Abercromsie 10 10 Richland
county. on the headwatsrs of the Red river
ofithe north, Its reservation includes about
one township. All these military posts
wsrs long ago abandoned BY troops and the
bill simply releases the lands included with.
inItheir reservations and gives them over to
settlement. They are exceedingly valuable
lands. being located in river valleys, where
wood. water and good soil ere abundant.
The house committee on territories 10
ready to report favorably upon Delegate
Bennstt's bill making an appropriation for
. territorial pe~nitentisry, but has not yet
been reached in the regular call of con.
mittees for reports on public bills. 1t will
probably receive consideration Immediately
after the holiday recess and there il every
prospect that it will pass the house.
As soon - congress reconvenes, Delegate
Bennett will introduce . bill dividing Da-
kota territory and creating q territorial
government for the northern portion there.
Of The forty.sixth parallel will be the
dividing line and it will cut the territory
into two equal sections, each possessing all
the elements Of diversified industry. This
il the old favorite idea and has been before
congress on previous occasions in the shape
OF. bills. There is, however, at this period
Of our existence, q better prospect for sue.
csss than ever before. Dakota's progress
iveness has arrested The attention Of the
entire country and it is no longer
looked upon AZ region of
unproductivenes. New influences will
will bssrought to bear in support Of divis-
ion and Delegate Bennett will follow up
this advantage with industry and ability.
Though the scheme may again fail, the
prospects for its success are better than they
sver have been.
The bill ailotting lands to Indians as in.
dividuals, now before congress, has an i'm.
postant bearing upon the future Of Dakota.
We have infornstion from Washington
that ifit becomes . Law the Sioux reserva-
ton between the Missouri river and he
Black Hills will b opened for sale and set-
tlsasat iaside Of s-yeaf. This Il the grand