Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1880-12-25
TERRITORIAL DIVISION.

We notice that some of the Deadwood
papers are clamorous for territorial divi-
sion on the forty-sixth parallel, making
a new territory of the northern portion
of Dakota, and at the same time hoping
for admission as a state for the southern
portion. Now just why this division Is
wanted is not exactly apparent to the
CHRONICLE. Is it because we have too
much population for a state? Is it be-
canse we have too much area for a state?
We ant see tina. fact standing out aitfl
any great degree OF prominence. h i
because we have diversified interests ?
Again, we confess our inability to see
where or how they are diametricall.
opposed. Dakota Territory j. large, Of
that there is no doubt, but in what man
ner the interests of the whole area will
be conserved by setting OF a portion for
a new territory, while the balance j.
admitted as Il state we would like TO be
enlightened. There is to be sure "a
small area Of the entire territory inter
ested in mining. that of itself we will
admit is q separate interest from agri-
culture, bat on the o,her hand, every
inch of ground that is available for any
productive industry in the whole terri
tory is agricultural and stock raising
territory. Now does it seem reasonable
that there should be IA division simply
because the northern portion ships easl
by one line of railroad, while the central
and southern portion of the territory
are Obliged to look to another line for
their means OF transportation. There
is not another reason to he shown for
division by the combined arguments oi
every advocate Of division, within the
limits ofthe Territory OF Dakota. The
territory IL ii at present stands is we adj
NIT large, but that of itself is no reason
for segregation. We have now three
important lines of railroad projected
and soon to be constructed across our
Territory. The Northern Pacific, the
Chicago and Northwestern, and the Mil
waukee and 81. Paul line, each one re-
presents one of the largest corporation
of the west, unless it might be said that
the first and last are under one manage.
IIcrrt wnIcn OF itself ~ Il sufficient argu-
ment against division, but allowing that
each is separate in its interest and OBJ
Jects, does it no show plainly on its face
that when three great corporations cross
"a territory that there is a great future
in store for that section. There must
be something, either within its borders
to attract railroads or something beyond,
or else instead of three we would count
our great railroad corporations by the
mineral one. Now were this the case
there might be some reason for division,
as then one section might be in a man
ncr shut out from the other, but when
three great lines cross our Territory,
there is not the slightest doubt that
there will be plenty of connecting links,
north and south, to inseparably connect
every part of the territory with the
other portions by speedy communication
and unity of interests. There is no
doubt of this at all, while the additional
fact remains that the Northern Pacific
and the Milwaukee and st. Paul is YER
tualiy under control of the board o.
directors, at least the preponderance OF
stock is held in both roads by the same
parties, SO that if on account of railroad
interest we ought to be divided, the
centre ought to go with the Northwest.
ern road, and the northern and southern
portion ought To 60 with the Milwaukee
and So. Paul road. The fact is that, al.
though this territyry is large there i.
not the shadow Of suspicion for divi
sion, and if we remain as one body in.
tact we will probably be admitted as !,
state, Us we have ample. population and
wealth, While. if divided no gst.a i
gained, and We might remain as two
territories instead OF one great and soon
to be powerful state. 1t ought to be re-
membered that there is not such q sure
thing of statehood as The northern camr
papers would seem to imply. The
senate is not a very safe body to trust
our prayer to as its complexion now
seems to stand aud wesuight get left out
in the cold anyway, but with the proba-
bility of admitting only two senators
instead of soon admitting four. we think
the slight democratic tendency of the
senate might be nyercnme, Al any. ra!e
laying ASIDE all selfish reasons for desir-
boundaries, we would like very much to
see one reason for division adduced by
the new territory men. They have not
thus far set up IA single tenable position
on the proposed measure.