Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-18
Special Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR.
CLARK, CLARK COUNTY D. T.
August 18th. 1885,

When l wrote The STAR last great prepara-
tons were making for the assembling of the
constitutional convention Of South Dakota
This movement looking to the organization of a.
state south ofthe forty parallel, has now de
veloped into something tangible. At first there
was considerable dissatisfaction expressed by q
class of men familiar to every community that is
laboring with one interest-harmoniOu action
for Development and advancement. Those, how
ever faVOring the division of the territory and
the admission of that section into the ssterhood
Ofstates embraces handsome majority, including
the most intelligent and influential men, not only
in South Dakota, but in all parts ofthe Territory
THE OUTCOME OF THE CONVENTION HELD AT
HURON,
one of the leading towns Of South Dakota, was
satisfactory beyond expectations. Over three
hundred delegates from the counties south of
parallel fortysx assembled and resolved. The
question of statehood was discussed in all its
details, and the eloquence displayed on the occa-
sioR-excelled much of that reading matter found
in the alleged Congressional Record Since that
time every small town capable Of supporting
land office and gr0ggery has been agtating
the question. Now all eyes are turned towards
Sioux Falls. where, pursuant to an order of the
valiant 800" delegates will assemble on Sep
TENDER 4th and frame constitution and trans
act such business as is appropriate for the
formation of state.
Now, in the east, the question naturally arises
upon what grounds do the people of South Dakota
demand admission into the Union. In the first
place, after careful canvass of the section south
shows that in so far as population is concerned
South Dakota possesses the requisite numbers
to entitle her to admission. A survey Of the
country and an inquiry among the settlers
reveals two important facts The soils adapta-
tiOn for wheat and barley culture has drawn
thousands hither who have located upon nearly
section q 0pIri
river; the class Of men who have thus settled in
Dakota are men Of pluck and energy and have
manifested their intention Of citizenship by
erecting good, substantial farm houses.
Now, in view Of these facts, the people of this
section have organized themselves and propose
making demand to Congress for the admission
of the south half into the Union. 1t will be
remembered that delegated persons made an
appeal before the last Congress for admission,
which was refused. This winter
DELEGATION WILL WAIT UPON CONGRESS.
backed by state constitution and all the ma
chinery necessary to the running Of state,
and demand admission. In the face of the law
and the constitution it will not be policy for
any political party to antagonize the movement
on solely political grounds. A democratic Con-
gress admitted Colorado, which gave it's cleo
toral vote soon afterwards for the republican
candidate. Regarding this matter. learn from
conversation with Delegate Maginnis of Mon
tana that the creation of new states has become
solely political question. His remarks were
prompted by an allusiOn to MOntana's POSSIBLE
tiles of securing statehood during this Congress.
Montana it must be borne in mind, is largely
democratic, while Dakota, on the other hand,
is proportionally republican. Last winter the
Yankton county bonds were used as q barrier
to DakOta's admission, and the presence of Gov.
Ordway in Washington, with skillful manipula-
tors appended, practically defeated every effort
to bring about any compromise. l may say in
this connection that Gov. Ordway is not partic-
ularly popular in Dakota just now. He knows
very well that just so soon as Dakota or the
south hap becomes state he would immedi-
ately find the climate uncongenial. Why, he
could not poll enough votes to get the position
OF county commissioner.
LOOKING TOWARDS DAKOTA.
Nearly every day am In receipt Of letters
from eastern people inquiring about Dakota, and
Clark In particular. Now, II there is anything
Dakotaian does delight in it is to be asked about
his particular town or section of the country
And it is poor settler that has not the finest
goyernnI Mt claim in the country or own town
lots where the court house or university Ia
most likely to be erected
To those who are suffering with broken down
constitutions no better place can be selected to
recuperate than out in this country. For my
SELF can speak from experience. The climate
Is more even here than you will find in the east
winters are not severe, though the winds are
cold aud penetrating at times. Those who have
travelled over this country speak of it only in
glowing terms; but 1t is only that class of dis
contents, like you have at Washington contin-
ually bowling for suffrage, that speak disparag-
ingly OF the country.
Now and then read In the Dakota papers
of the arrival of Washington people, but BY far
the larger part of the Immigration comes from
the western states I saw q man the other day
making strides towards the depot with q cot
and several blankets on his shoulders. asked
him where he was bound. Hewas cross man
q man that would not sprout In any community
where there was ghost OF show for enter
prise and thrift. He eaid he was "going back
to Gods country; he had enough Of this
blarsted place." It Is such men as this that
need practising pedestrianism, and It ID highly
fiattering to any Dakota settlement when they
perambulate with their heel tracks towards the
town.
Before close this epfstle to the Washingto-
mans, wish to say that the wheat crop for Da-
kOta this year win be very large, and by the
immense amount Of breaking ground that has
been done this spring and summer, It Is certain
that next years crop OF cereals VIII be increased
by thousands Of bushels The yield viii be
simply enormous, providing, Of course. there
are NO hindnnces In the way Of unlooked-for
disasters. 8. B. MILTON.
A good man in New York, deeply impressed
by the figure Of 'sthe cold grave, /" has erected
stove - monument to his wife.