Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-06-20
The Capital Location
Huron Huroni.e
- 49, n

Huron Huroni.eI
The capital is located.
The commission may now be fairly
Judged.
by their acts shall We know
them
From the most selfish point Of
view, 70 place but Huron was at all
fit for the capital.
In Il little less selfish light, Bis
marck is the best place, because it
depriycs our rivals Of the benefit Of
the prize and removes it to the great
est possible distance.
In he broad light Of equal justice
to every inhabitant OF the territory,
the location is failure.
The single and sole reason for re-
moving the seat Of government from
Yankton WAS on account Of its mac
feasibility. There may be a few
other unimportant minor points, but
this objection removed and no serious
cause for removal remained. The
language OF the bill is that 1.-THE CON-
missioners, or majority Of them,
shall select = suitable site for the
seat Of government Of the Territory
OF Dakota, due regard being had to
its accessibility from all parts OF the
territory"
| A site is chosen on the western
boundary Of civilization, in by far
the least populous division Of the
territory, and place where there is
but a single line Of railway. Twenty
six out Of the thirty six Legislators
would be obliged to go to st. Paul
to reach Bismarck by rail.
No candid person will for a mo-
ment acquiesce in the idea that the
proper site for the capital has been
chosen. Why was it then chosen?
At the time that the commission
bill passed, the popular understand.
ing was, that the capital was to be
relocated in south Dakota. That
this was still the understanding when
the commission first met to receive
bids was plain from the direction
from which the offers came. That
Fany change in the programme was
kept quiet, even in nerth Dakota, is
very evident from the fact that
jamestown, the most prominent
capital candidate in that section, fail
ed to put in bid ut the supposed
last opportunity on May 10Th.
| Why was the opinion SO unani-
mously prevalent that the capital
would be located in south Dakota!
Simply because it was unquestiona-
bly, the proper place for 1t.
4 North Dakota, with representa-
ton, supposed to be fairly based, q
ten to thirty-six, captured the dele
gate to congress. She hnFnow cap
turcd the capital; arc, Judging from
past events, if s!ts'-does not capture
the constitutional convention it will
/ probablx4M because she don't want
it. :1sere is something wrong in the
enlargement, and it is time our peo-
pie were finding out what it is.
! Is it because our leaders have less
brains or less Influence" How is
it that northern Dakota, ar unpopu-
lar location with only three commits
sioners and one OF them in opposi
ton captured the capital? 1t is easy
to understand why Mckenzie voted
for Bismarck and not strange Scott
should do the same. With Spaldinp
tied to Redficld north Dakota had
two votes and south Dakota six
Leaving Bedding to do as he chose
south Dakota still had five or a ma
jority. That Myers would stand by
/ her to the last was well understood
Matthews remained mistaken fol
Huron and Thompson faithful te
Mitchell. Who then played The
traitor and gave the victory to the
north? Alexander Hughes and Hen
Try A. DeI4ong. The procedure O
belong is not worth discussion, ds
it has never been considered that BIZ
could be depended upon. The actor
of Hughes is worthy Of discussion
more for what he has been thar
| for what he will be in the future
As a soldier in the late war, he com
manded great respect. The recipien,
Of important federal positions added
to his prestige. The apparently
gallant fight he made in last falls
canvass, won for him the admiration
Of his friends and the respect of his
enemies. Alas! We fear his mora
is not as strong as his physical cour,
age. In the light Of present events
even shis graceful 'bowing' to the
fcombination at Grand Forks last fall
is shorn Of much Of Tvs glory. Cap
tain Hughes, the hero OF many bat
ties, the man Of ability and gallantry
the chairman Of the commission, the