The Dickinson press., 1883-08-11
TERRITORIAL NEWS.
AN INTERVIEW ANENT DAKOTA

Maj. Alexander Hughes Talks About the
Quo Warranto Case. the constitutional
Convention and the Bismarck Capitol.
From the Pioneer Press, August 2.
Alexander Hughes, chairman of tho building
committee of the Dakota capital commission,
passed through St. Paul yesterday en- route
from Yankton to Bismarck. Mr. Hughes has
taken up his quarters in Bismarck, having re-
moved his family thither some time ago. He
was in Yanktor as counsel for the capital re-
moval commission, in conjunction with Col.
William F. Villas, and was present in an ad-
visory capacity during the argument in the
quo warranto proceedings before Chief Justice
Edgerton. In the opinion OF Mr.. Hughes
Judge Edgerton can render but one decision
he will make his ruling public about the LIST
Of September-and that will be in favor of the
legality of the action of the comm ssion. Mr..
Hughes says that al! the preceden's, from the
location of the capital at Washington to the
locations by legislative commission in Iowa
and Missouri, are in favor OF the
legality of the Dakota legislatures method. In
the event Of Judge Edgerton's decision being
adverse to the commission, an appeal would
be Immediately taken and work would 20 on
1t Bismarck just the same.
H SIOUX FALLS CONVENTION.
Asked for an opinion as to the methods and
outcome Of the Sioux Falls, Southern Dakota,
constitutional convention to be held Sept. d.
Mr.. Hughes said:
regard the whole thing as completely without
warrant. One part of a Territory can't. under
any process of law or precendent, set itself apart
and draft a constitution. Itwouid he simply seces-
sion and congress wouldn' t ratify it. Farther than
favor the move. and 1 guess the vote to-day for
delegates will DO a very light one. The whole
scheme has been worked up by politicians. and they
have used the same methods which obtain in cam
DalplS, / have given a great deal of thOtlpht tn thp
question of admission. have conversed with United
States senators and representatives about it, and il
until after the next presidential election. If the
Democrats are in power they will admit Dakota,
undivided, and to offset the Republican gain will
which can be counted on as Democratic. l don't
expect to see Dakota divided.
BISMARCK AND THE CAPITOL.
Mr.. Hughes says the new capitol will be a
very handsome building, much handsomer
space and plan are similar. there are to be
three full stories in the Dakota building, and
the outward appearance will differ from tina
in St. Paul, especially as to the tower. The
cost will be from $3.50, 600 to $500, 600, and
it is the intention to provide for all the rooms
rest of the structure can be Completed more
leisurely. Brick will be used largely and the
foundation is to be of granite. Mr.. Hughes
was evidently much impressed with Bismarck's
capabilities, and said that in one bank, neal
the capitol site, they had found clay which
made admirable fire brick, red, white and
f1esh-colored brick and two or three kinds OF
terra Gotta The fuel aignits) to burn the brick
is found in the same bank as the caly. So far
the plans are general and are likely to be mod.
flied or changed in one way or another, as the
question of cost arises. The bids for con
struction are to be orened in Bismarck on the
18th of this month.
THE MONEY PART.
Mr.. Hughes had no doubt that the land
grant would pan out as we'll as any RI souable
man could expect The 14O acres around the
capitol will probably be offered for sale in
September. The 16O acres on the flats will
lie fallow until the town has sufficient growth
to enhance their value for railway or manu-
featuring purposes. The 800, 900 in cash,
Mr.. Hughes says, is available and always has
been; there never was any reason to question
It. In his opinion the failing of in interest in
Bismarck realty and the decline in prices was
due solely to the fact that the thing was
overdone at the time the capital war
located. In St Paul there was congregated
about 49, 900, 600 of capital waiting to invest,
the papers had been full Of the matter and the
prospective capital had secured more adver-
Using than any other locality in the country
ever got. Values jumped too high. The loca.
ton of the capital forwarded the making OF
q city, but didn't cause it at once. As to rail
ways MIR. Hughes said:
There will be railway building this year. am
not at liberty to say how much or by whom.