The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-05-12
munlcations from MIN, verDai OF written, express.
ING any wish Of his In the matter.
Nsnn

munIcations from MIN, verDa OF written, express.
ing any wish Of his In the matter.
NOT AN AUCTION
We dc not understand that there Is to be an auc-
ton. and the capital sito Is to be knocked down 10
the highest bidder In selecting the Sites various
questions will be takca into consideration, such
eligibility, centray, accessibility to railroad lines
etc. Of course the amount named In proposal
will have its influence, but neither tho amount Of
money, OF land offered will aoLe decide
the question: have perfect integrity in the abili-
any OF them will allow themselves to be influenced
There is no doubt that there was prejudice Great
ed against the commission at first; but see people
ritory. and had had large opportunities for
that public sentiment is nov, very
strongly in favor OF tho commission and Of the
removal Of the capital to SONS more central point.
In fact believe that nine -tenhs Of the people OF
the Territory want the capital removed. As to just
how the thing ought to bo done, there may be
some difference Of opinion. AS to the relations
Of the members with the governor,
can assure as,, You tnas they s,a,suoI.I a.!
recently made by Mr. Pettigrew TO reporter OF the
PIONEER PRESS 10 the contrary are without found
alton. There is no such feeling in the Territory
against Goy. Ordway as Mr. Pettigrcw Is trying TO
make ont.
THE YANKToN GRAND JURY.
what have You to say concerning the proceed
ings before the grand jury at Yanktonf
II believe the grand jury was packed III the inter-
csts OF tho Yaukton ring. This grand jury Is part
of the scheme Of Pettigrew and that ring to get
Gov Ordway removed from Office. They would
like to get him indicted, and they would also De
very glad to secure the indictment Of some OF the
commissioners aud members Of the legislature. The
jury has now been IN session two weeks
and so far as know, they haven't found any testi-
mony against any one except one OK inc persons
who is fighting the governor aud commission who
has admitted that he attempted to bribe the leRis-
lature to vote against the removal scheme. As faI
as the commissioners are concerned, they are VIII
ing that their acts should DO investigated by any
one The reason I believe tho grand jury was
packed, IL because 1t Is filed with some of the most
bitter enemies of the commission aud the executive
men who have publicly expressed the most Dit
ter sentiments against them, aud have been very
prominent in their opposition. The question OF
indictment Is simply tho question whether Inc
that Jury. / think. however, that somo OF the
members are gentlemen, and will try ut least, to
act conscientousy In the matter.
Capt Hughes stated, IN conclusion, that Inc
spirit that had boon manifested against the
comm ssion and the executive AZ Yankton since
tho passage of the bill had boen contemplate
in the extreme. They have attempted to ostra-
cse the governor and others friendly to the
movement and altogether had shown spirit
that it seems t. me sin full keeping with LOUIS
lana bnlldozng
81 care nothing for their views, but intend to
perform my duty without regard to what they say
or think"
MR. M'KENzIE's UTTERANCEs
chairman OF the executive committee OF the
commission. was next interviewed He said:
We are making headway as fast as We can. SO
far the articles that have been published IN the
papers, in regard 10 cruokedness In the action OF
the commission, are concerned, can say 10 you
that they lies made ont OF whole cloth. aud are
gotten up by the old YanktUn ring, which has been
rotbing the Territory for years, anu a more
corrupt gang never cursed auy Territory or State.
We do not anticipate any delay on account Of the
proceedings in court We shall 20 forward ana
IL, ~ In and hon nFn
ceed to he erection Of the buildings, etc. IN accord
ance with the terms Of tho act, and report our
donPs 10 tho next legislature. an Northern Da-
kota and ai least three TO onn in southern Dakota,
favor the capitol scheme. Yankton has had the
capital for the past ten year, aud has not had en-
terprs" enough to even furnish seats Tor the ac-
commodation Of tho Legislature The sentiment
is that il IL high time to make Il change, and the
change will be made-a statement upon which you
can rely, notwithstanding the howlings OF the
Yank ton ring.
THE TREASURER SPEAKS
Hon Miles w. Scott, treasurer Of the commits
sion, remarked TO the reporter: Al present you
know as much about i as do or either member ,
OF The commission. We have had no formal dis
cussion the matter and will not have until
after the 10Th instant. 80
Mr. Scott, like the other gentlemen. declared that
the commission intended TO do its duties fairly and
squarely lIe said tho relations between the mem
bers was Of Tho pleasantest character
MR. CREssY s OBSERVATIONS.
Mr.. Cressy was interviewed because he was
not u nember Of the commission:
Wa. one Of the clerks Of the house during the
Iasi --'on be said. and have been with the COM
mission most OF the time sluce Its appoint
men', and ] have not yet seen one
single thing that looked like or squinted
at or had one shade OF q shadow OF crooked
ness. Huron, my town, IL an asprsnt for the cap
ital site, but II other place gets II. shall be
satisfied that the commission did what II codsidered
right IN the matter Tho commissioners are per-
fectly straightforward men and will not bc bribed.
The hue and cry against them were all started
hg tha DlkOtlaU
.~"' 30. 10. ess". has .evar been able 70 prove
hand DR.. Burdick. Of Yankton, WIS called before
the grand jury and il was brought out In his owl
denco that Yankton lawyer, John T. Campbell.
offered him $4,000 10 vote against the
commission bill In the legislature. get
this from Dr. Burdck himself Those
who know Gov. Ordway best in the Territory are
satisfied that he Is doing his best for the interest of
the Territory aud IL Pettigrew says the people de-
sire his removal he states an untrutb. The grand
jury has been unable 10 find ANYTHING against him,
or against his appointees on the commission.
Several members of the commission were inter-
viewed, as we'll as others in the party accompany
Ing them, aud IL noticed that there was great
unanimiiy in their expressions with regard to the
good intentions OF the commission.