Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1880-12-24
DIVISION OF DAKOTA.
an ENTHUSIASTIC MEETIyG
IN CHAMPION HALL.

Resolutions Adopted Favoring judge
Benefits Bill Now Before Con-
gress---Ab1e Opinion OF
Col. Thompson.
.......... THE MEETING.
4 meeting in relation to the subject of
territorial division, was held at Cham
pion Hall, Saturday evening. G. A.
Lounsberry was elected chairman of the
meeting and James A. Emmons, secretary.
Col. VIM Thompson introduced the fol-
lowing resolution which was unanimous
ly adopted:
Resolred: That we respectfully ask con-
gress at its present session to divide the
Territory of Dakota into two distinct gov
ernments by line running east and west
through it either on the 10th parallel OF
North Latitude or on the 7th Standard
parallel Just south of it, and that provis-
ions be made for the speedy admission OF
Southern Dakota into the Union as Il
state, while Northern Dakota shall be
provided with a suitable territorial gov.
ernmeAt until her population shall enti-
tic her to the privileges of admission.
Res0Lred: That we deem it advisable
and necessary to use all reasonable and
proper means of increasing the senatorial
bower in the new northwest, In order to
insure an equality Of national legislation
with the smaller and more numerous
commercial and manufacturing states OF
the eastern seaboard as we'll as for the
mutual local accomm odation of the set.
tiers in both Northern and Southern Da-
k0ta who are now and for Il long time Will
remain separated by some two hundred
miles of unsettled and roadless country,
compelling intercourse between tlem to
pass through St. Paul at a tax OF about
one hundred miles travel; and
Hesolyed: That IN the opinion OF this
meeting the division Of Dakota and the
disposition of it's parts as herein Indicated
and asked for, would do more to settle up
the entire territory, bring it into state OF
universal cultivation and render it an i'm
portant contributor to the national revc-
nue. and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, than any other
or different legislative course whatever.
WHY IT SHOULD BE DIVIDED.
In relation to the above resolution Col.
Thompson then said: I'm presenting
CucSC lCSOlullOuo NCCuA IL LILY uuaJ ~
say that in my opinion the best interest
of the people Of the whole territory as it
now exists, or as it may hereafter exist
when divided and vastly more populous
than it now is, as we'll as the true interests
of all the citizens of surrounding and
similarly situated agricultural states, de-
mand that congress shall adhere essen
TALLY to the line Of Legislation indicated
by these resolutions.
The question of division before admis-
sion i, of greater Importance to the pres
cnt inhabitants, to all incipient public
Improvements and to the perpetual wei
fare of all who may hereafter inhabit the
land, than any other that could be pre-
sented, Everybody knows how necessary
it is to get fair and advantageous COM
mencement in any kind OF business
transaction, and every observer of passing
events, must know how very difficult it is
to divide state after il has once been adj
mittcd. Whatever is necessary to be done
in this regard
SHOULD BE DONE AT ONCE
and with great unanimity. Delays are
always dangerous, and in country of
such unpreceden,edly rapid development
as this has proved itself to be, they are
peculiarly and disasterly unfortunate.
The action of congress indicated by
thse resolutions would result in the adj
mission of a state composed Of the south
ern portion OF the territory with an aver
age length of $50 miles from east to west
and breadth of about 2l0 miles from north
to south, containing over 1900 square
miles. This state would be as large rs
Ohio, Indiana, Delaware and Rhode Is.
land, all combincd-large enough for all
local advantageous purposes and much
too large for equality of senatorial power.
Ii would also result in the adoption of
territorial government for the northern
portion ol the territory. This would pre-
pare the way for speedy
ADMISSION OF NORTH DAKOTA,
state of nearly the same shape contain
ing about $4,000 square miles of the best
land the world has ever produced togetll-
er in similar quantity. This state would
be rs large as New York, Massachusetts,,
Vermont and New Hampshire, all COM
bincd, and quite too large for either local
or associated purposes.
Now, if congress should scourgc the
energetic and adventurous inhabitants of
this territory by its admission as whole,
it would contain more than one hundred
and fifty thousand square miles which
would equal the area Of New York, Penn
sylvania and all the New England states
combined.
This territory is peculiarly adapted to
agricultural production, to stock raising
and profitable mining and has the capaci-
ty for sustaining Il more dense popula-
tion than any ether portion Of its size in
the productive new northwest. Its su.
perlority OF advantages with the division
now desired would accelerate the past un
precedented growth of population and
production until in a very short time. the
population Will become as dense as that
of New England with a surplus OF pro
duction simply incalculable.
WHAT WE LACK.
Now, under the most favorable auspices
possible, we shall lack one of the chief
elements of successful prosperity. That
is quality of Legislative power. Even
with the division which will double our
senatorial power The smaller and most
monied, commercial and manufacturing
I 4: 81 ~