Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-03-21

y S>-sED1-E - EE
when properly understood. Every
care ha1 been taken % protect the
people III their rights and interests,
Is I whole, and every means provid-
Cd within the power Of man, and
that might be anticipated for tho
good ami satisfaction VI the future
great commonwealth Of Dakota.
Among all these who have so far
opposed the bill, there has been but
one Argument used against it, name
II, "fraud;" and this assertion. not
argument, has on most occasions,
been made boldly without even the
charity Of : doubt, crediting repre-
sentative mon, who have been selec-
ted on account OF their merit and
peculiar fitness for the position, with
having no object in view and inter-
ests At stake save their own personal
gain. Men who were SO fortunate
q to possess merit, must now suffer
the abuse and caiu,nny Of sore heads
and growing democrats because
they are appointed to a position COW
eted by u and because they
arc appointed BY a republican nd.
ADMINISTRATION BY the other. It is true
that. although the masses will be
satisfied BY the results Of the COM
mission, some individuals or towns
may and are evidently already high
" d~ispleased 1t the prospect Of los
ing the cnpital o. not having il loca-
ted as they wish, and being sudden
IL weaned from that public pap up
o,n which, they hasssbsen fs;ting for
twenty years.
First, let US look at the provisions
in the bill to prevent fraud. Each
commissioner shall enter into bonds
in the sum Of $4,000, with good
and sufficient s,,reties to be approx
cd by one Of the justices IF the supreme
court for the faithful performance
DC, and the treasurer Of the COM
mission shall give a good and sutfi-
| Gent bond in the sum Of 100000 10
I've approved as above provided
Il this sufficient to restrain an ordi.
narily conscious man from tan
scending the limits Of his preroga.
tive or violating the conditions laid
down by legislation, upon which he
must act in a matter where his
character and property are ut once
placed in jeopardy ly a violation o
that trust? Would parties unac
quainted with . mans ability and
his character, obligate themselves IL
such an extent for his conduct, in I
matter subject to SO much criticism
Besides this provision for the faith
full performance Of their duty to tn,
territory, there is another, deprivinl
each and every member Of the ad
yantoges Of speculation; prohibiting
them from purchasing any lane
within ten miles Of the ground
where the capital is located, for tn,
period Of one year. This leaves bu
little opportunity either for fraud o
Speculation. The compensation j
not beyond the bonis of reason; whs
would be willing 10 act in the capac
ity for less? Men who have a pay
ing business at home cannot affort
to leave il for less The time inter
vening between the time Of the or
g~anization and the time when til,
capital is to be located is rcasonabl,
hot giving time for an undue ex
pcnse and yet allowing ample tim
to look oyer the territory for a suit
able location. We can see very lit
tie opportunity for corruption.
In an article in the Redfield Sui
in opposition to the commission, h
is compelled to conclude thus:
"However if the commission ca1
come together without being ham
pered by instruction or private agree
ments their action will he satisfacte
ri, but we confess to some feeling {
suspicion from the makeup Of tn
commission"
This is the objection advanced b
all opposition except it is not,
some cases, (for instance the Press
D~akotaian) coucled in language &
refined and sensible. Had Yankto
ever done anything to merit cor
~sideration, or the Press q Dakotdia
been deprived Of any Of its priviIes
es or considerations as a capital =,
per. then their objections and obst
nscy might attract sympathy
] least. But during the twenty yea
. 81 territorial government Yankto
hoe not even 20 much ss contrib,
ted anything to the convenience {
necessity Of the legislature or pr
pared public buildings Of any d
scription whatever. Whereas u
bill provides that al least eluO,U
2 shall be contributed by the town .
= place selected by the commission +
: tho l.upef;nn ne Ah0 capita1 Tie