Jamestown alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1882, 1881-12-02
The State ofDakst,..
To the Press and Dakota,an

lne STATE OfUaketAs
To the Press and Dakotalan.
The movements toward territorial divi
sion and statehood here at home have beel
suddenly surpassed and left feeble in ap
pearance by the larger movement Z
Washington. Such, at least, seems to b,
the general view Of the two. The wor(
| from Washington is political in aspect
1t is said to be partisan, and to spring
from desire for two more republican sen.
ators; such is the inspiration Of the dis
patches. Itmay bewortl while to consid-
or whether this declared motive may not
assure delay. 1t is not enough by itself to
justify statehood There should be abun-
dant and convincing reasons in the ma
ture OF things, IN our population, resour-
ces, condition and needs. 1t will doubt
less be shown that in each and all OF these
views there are sufficient reasons for the
early admission Of Dakota into the union.
We move rapidly to that result.
We write to challenge attention to the
real question presented. AS presented
from Washington the idea merely sees 4
state admitted, and makes the two sena-
tors Of this state the chief feature Of the
event. That same view is followed quite
too far in Dakota. Some have treated
that political fact as the end and aim of
statehood, and the reflex advantage is to
come from the great power and influence
these senators will have at Washington.
the voting for president, the dignity and
"a that" This is the view Of present
interest largely. We lack a just influence
while territory. Dependent largely up
on tho general government VIC get little
attention from it, and feel that if we had
two senators this would be improved.
But the moment Dakota is a state this de-
pcndcnce upon Washington ceases. The
state attains most Of the powers that now
come from the United States. The SOW
srign state assumes all the administration
of its affairs, and holds the same relation
to the United States that other states do.
The real questions of interest in statehood
are home issues, domestic matters, insti-
tutions Of every kind and the permanent
welfare Of the people.
The Washington view secs two more sen
ators; the counterpart at home is the crea-
tion OF a state, thesecurity by constitution
OF the liberties of the people against every
future shock. state must 'sconciliate
a bollndless private freedom with public
order and authority y it must guarantee
progress and prosperity by means of whole
some restrictions upon power, corporate
and political, by economic methods and
simplicity instead Of extrayagance and
grandeur; and the state must as its chief
duty secure all this and social, civil, moral
and intellectual advancement by broad,
permanent and certain provisions for edu-
cation, the education of the children of
the entire state, The organization of the
state will effect us permanently; the two
senators can be changed in a few wears
ifastate is made. AIanifestly our great
interests are in the state constitution, its
delegations and limitations Of power. To-
ward that and the many separate uues-
tions that will arise in doing it our chef
attention should be given Every one OF
these leading issues should be twice acted
upon by the people, first in selecting and
instructing their delegates to the con
vention, and second in voting upon the
acceptance OF rejection of important pro-
visions.
We have an intelligent people Let the
state be formed by them inteIheently. de-
libcrately and wisely. Toward this end
the question Of first Importance is the re-
presentation in the constitutional conyen-
ton. That body has great power and
consists Of but one house. Therefore # |
should have large membership, not less
than one hundred, and probably one hun |
dred and fifty. In no other way can all |
communities be represented. There is no I
saieFF ia the number proposed in some |
bills introduced in congress. The peonle |
should now by petition demand a change
IN this respect. Much, perhaps all, in the
character ,n OF the future state depends
TINS. The probabilities, at least, are de-
cldediy hetteF F with = large convention.
There il not space left to discuss any of |
the special questions that will come before
this convention. The chief material in
terest it will handle will be the school
university and other state lands. The
welfare OF the people, the honor of the
state and its future character are involved |
IN the handling qf the school and univer-
slty lands. Some states have written the |
darkest page in their history in the indif-
ference or corruption which wasted the
proceeds of the lands. They arc reserved |
for the permanent common welfare. |
Their full value should be secured TO this
end !A,antilfE vital issue is, shall the con
stitution prohibit both local and speci,l
legislation, From. the people we believe
there will DO but one answer; that it shall I
What limitation shall be placed upon
corporate powers' How shall the judicial |
power he located and the judges chosen?
Shall we have .enS terms and appoint
m.eIs, " short terms, with the candidates
involved i'll every political election. These
ma many other issues are before the pco- |
pie and we a,ape viii be discussed,
w. II, II. BNADIE.