Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-09-24

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produced what is generally conceded to
be an admirable constitution. Upon a
few OF its minor features there will be
differences of opinion, but as whole it
will be accepted, by all who favor the
statehood plan, as document which we
can safely make the basis of future laws
and regulations. The element which,
following the lead of the Ordway
obstrnctionists, opposes statehood will
seek to criticise the work OF the conven.
ton, but that body has left them little
upon which to base an objection.
The convention has disappointed its
enemies aud has made friends OF many
who were disposed to look coldly upon
the movement. 1t has excluded from it's
code all questionable subjects and has
manifested its ability to legislate for the
people by carefully avoiding the rocks
upon which it might easily have wrecked
the new ship of state. The
tinal product OF its wisdom and skill
goes before the public as combination
OF the best elements to be extracted
from the constitutions of thirty seven
states with enough in the way of new
points to indicate that our people are
abreast with the spirit Of plogressiveness
within the nation which teaches think.
ing men to improve for the future
through the experiences OF the past. In
the crude conception OF the movement
| which has crpstalized at Sioux Fall.
we've few individual vagaries which
found expression in public speech and
public prints. hut these the convention
has thrown out, leaving itself as the ex-
ponent only OF those ideas which must
accord with safe aud conservative public
sentiment.
In its bill OF rights the constitution
covers the usual ground, with the innova.
| ton that in certain cases parties to civil
and criminal actions may waive the jury
privilege in trials, if they SO desire.
This may be looked upon as a
step in the direction Of the
abolishment OF time worn custom sub
jected to SO many abuses that it has be-
come obnoxious in public estimation.
Liberal provisions upon the subject of
suffrage are granted in the instrument,
extending even TO women at elections
held exclusively for school purposes.
The legislative department makes pro-
vision for maximum representation of
thirty-three III the senate and one hun
dred in the house OF representatives. To
those who have so long witnessed the
evil effects of small legislative bodies
this liberal allowance will be gratefully
accepted. Another prominent feature of
coordinate provisions therein is the de-
partment providing punishment for bri-
berry, even in its most simple form. The
executive and the legislative are both
subjected TO rigorous restrictions and
penalties in connection with this abuse
of privilege. This portion of the consti-
tuition is also the outgrowth of an expe.
| rience which has taught us that the pub
lie can only be protected by the most
stringent requirements.
Our northern neighbors must be satisfied
with the provision relative to the settle
ment of the Indebtedness of what is now
| Dakota, as the constitution leaves it en-
tirely to congress and agrees that the
state shall assume whatever portion is
| assessed by that body.
In the numerous provisions which the
| constitution contains. covering the en-
tire scope of fundamental law, there will
be found little or nothing to condemn
| and everything to commend. The
various departments are given ample
attention without an intrusion upon the
domain of legislation and the constitu.
tion now goes to the people for ratifica.
tion shorn of all its predicted objection
able features. When it shall have been
ratified we shall take it to congress with
a clear conscience and reasonable hope
that the prayer of the petitioners Will be
granted and the state of Dakota admit.
ted to the membership of the union.
There is nothing within the
document to which congress
can reasonably object, and in the
face of such strong evidence Of oul
ability to govern ourselves it cannot
afford to be unreasonable. The conven
ton which assembled, under condition.
not the most encouraging, to engage il
an experiment populafly looked upon a.
hazardous and with no small degree O
suspicion, has closed its session amid tn,
plaudits of those who in the beginning
were disposed to give gratuitous sneeri
to Its preteptions, to question the hon
esty of its motives and in every way tt
belittle its proposed work. Its enemies
are disarmed and won over to the plal
by the able, straightforward and consci
entious manner in which the duties o
the body have been performed. As th,
perfected constitution goes out among
the people it will attract the favorabl,
attention OF the impartial public and vii
gain for the. state of Dakota and it
hopes so many new friends and allie
that congress will hardly be able to re
Ast the claims Of the three hnndre,
Thousand disfranohised residents of tn
republic.
The Press and Dakotsiau extends it
congratulations TO the Sienx Falls Pres
lover its success in giving to the public