Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1881-02-19
NEW TERRITORY ONCE MORE.

The proposition to create a new state
out of the southern half Of Dakota hav-
ing failed for the present, by reason of
the adverse report of the committee on
territories, new schemes arc beginning
to be plentiful. Now first and foremost
the CHRONICLE would prefer to see
Dakota admitted as a state, whole and
intact. But as this seems to meet with
nc strong an opposition as to render it
impracticable, at least until the next
congress assemblies, some one of the
other schemes might be probably
adopted.
So far as we are concerned we are
fearful that even the next congress will
not admit us, altough at one time the
plan looked feasible. If we are to re-
main under a territorial form Of govern
ment, in any event, we are in favor of
the plan Of dividing into three terri
tories, making southeastern Dakota one
territory the Back Hills another, and
northern Dakota the third. Ii this plan
wins 1t will at least do this much, that it
will give us of the Hills a separate terri
torial organization similar to that so
earnestly desired and worked for since
1877 up t o one year ago. The possibility
of becoming a state ut once was the
only thing which has ever diverted the
attention Of Black Killers from this ob-
jcct, and to-day this scheme, in the alb
sence of a chance to become a state, will
meet with nearly a unanimous support
here i'm the Hills. With the div sion
proposed that portion including the
Hills, would justly be entitled to have
that portion of Montana and Wyoming
strip about one hundred miles wide.
This would include the ve,y portions
which are likely to become identified
with us IN pursuits and interests, and
would probably meet with but little 0p-
position from either Montana or Wyo-
ming. The eastern line should he The
Missouri down TO The point ut which
the Milwaukee road will cross, and from
her a north and sou,h line to the
southern boundary.
In speaking of the proposed division
the New York Tribune suggested that
the eastern boundary follow the river
from the north to the south of the
Cheyenne river. This would be mani
testify unjust, as it would give TO ihe
southeastern territory the Two towns
which will grow up at The crossing OF the
Northwestern and the Milwaukee roads.
AS both of them would be built up by
their trade with the Black Hills, it
would be decidedly unfair to have chem
set off in another territory from the one
with which they will be Identified In
case such plan of division, rs has been
suggested, should be accomplished the
Hills would become a most prosperous
and wealthy territory. While We were
willing, for the sake Of becoming a state.
to sacrifice our W desires for a separ-
ate organization, yet, now that that has
become an uncertainty, if not a positive
f~,ilure, We are o forcibly reminded
than ever before Of The need Of separa-
ton s. far as we are concerned. The
acts of the present legislature show CON
clusiyely the diversity ofilterest. When
bill after bill is introduced and passed
which applies in its provisions exclusive
ly to the Black Hills counties, the proof
Of incompatiDi!ity is at once fouEd. 1t
is altogether probable that The points OF
dissimilaritv will Increase instead of
becoming less apparent, rs both sections
advance in population and wealth, so
that if il is possible for Us To secure Il
separate territory, by all means let us
have one. The only possible objection
that we can see, SO far as our own inter
esis are concerned, is tha: j: vii! pu.
off for some years the time when we
shall be clothed with the right of fran
chise in national affairs. \ ct, as hat
seems to be postponed ~indiiinetely any
how, let US play 8. lone hand while we
are about it.