Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1880-08-10
COMFORTING CONCLUSIONS,
a Census and Voting Estimate from Isla
Hills Standpoint.

- O~<''o.s"' sOWhk AiOhh A1Adch |
Hills Standpoint.
Deadwood Press.
The almost unanimous expression of
satisfactiona and Joy from the southern
Dakota newspapers over the census re-
turns as far as they bear upon results at
the polls. and the statement that the
Hills country is but small factor in the
determination Of general elective prob
lens, will be found upon close examina-
ton to be without the foundation that is
apparent at n first glance. The tlorid
statements based upon the census returns
will be found not SO worthy of belief
after calculation is made of the relative
population of males, females and minors.
It is believed that the population of the
territory will foot up 100000. OF this
number, 97,285 live south of the 46th par
allel, and of the 97,285, there are said to
be 16, ,446 in the Hills. In consideration
of these facts, it is asserted that the Hills
country has been overrated in its voting
strength, and that it has no cause to
complain if the southeastern corner walks
away with the balance of power. There
is no doubt that within two years an
immense immigration has made the
Sioux and the Jim river valleys populous
and wealthy sections of the territory.
But let us take the census as it comes.
In the first place, at the time the emu
meration was going on here, an etfllx of
numerical strength had been completed
into the gulches surrounding the centres
of population. 1t is confidently believed
that there are two thousand men to-day
within the limits of the Hills who have
never been interviewed by the census
enumerator, but a majority of whom will
no doubt, cast their ballots at the fall
elections. This is low estimate, and
will be agreed upon by any one convers-
ant with the extent and contour of the
country, and who have carefully con-
sidered the odds in favor of this PROPOSE
ton. Of the 16,446 people returned
eight out Of ten will cast ballot. In
view of this fact there will be 3,156 COM
petent to vote. Add to these the two
Thousand unreturned, but as to the ex-
istence of whom there can be no ques-
ton, and it will be seen that these three
counties, Lawrence, Pennington and
Custer will cast over $4,000 votes in the
elections if they all avail themselves of
the franchise. Now, taking up the
southeastern counties and considering
them, this calculation can be made:
That section is largely settled by
| !oi oieiSheio. Iuc NoIWeSEanS, Tie
Danes, Germans and Russians
Mennonites predominant, and it is no ex-
aggeration to say that each family will
average five persons. This in fact, will be
considered very low estimate by those
conversant with the population of the
farming districts. This will then make a
little over 10000 as the voting strength OF
the southeastern corner of Dakota, as not
more than one in every five listed on the
census blanks can cast vote. To be sure
a country like this labors under one dis.
advantage, to which an agricultural dis.
trlct is not subjected. that being in the
fact that o certain per cent Of voting
strength will not show itself, either be.
cause of disinclination, laxity of interest
or for business reasons. Therefore the
census tells tale which much needs be
taken with grain of allowance and o.
reason.