The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1883-06-07

One, and the most important portion Of
the programme Of the capital commission
has been performed, that is the location.
Bismarck is the fortunate place and its
people are to be congratulated Although
a few had within the past few days proph-
cclcd and believed that she stood the
best chance to secure the coveted prize,
the many were greatly surprised upon the
receipt Of the news. As to the beauty of
location no place bidding has offered
more superior sight, the elevated position
upon the upper plateau or bench of the
Missouri atfOrding an attractive and ro
mantle view of the river and valley for
miles, also Of Fort Lincoln with its beau
tiful surroundings upon the high promj-
ncncc upon the west bank, while north
and east the undulating plateau broken
only by the windings of Apple river can
be seen as far as the eye can reach That
the town itself is one of Dakota marvels
is well known: its business men are noted
for their enterprise, thrift and public spir-
it: its streets are wide, IF an excellent
grade and so established as to afford
complete drainage; the soil is of the prop.
er kind for town, with sufficient
amount of gravel or sand to cause rapid
| disposition of water after rain and melting
snow, and it has the best of water. The
city, as a whole will not compare by any
means unfavorable with many older and
prominent eastern towns of many Years
standing.
The railroad facilities arc now limited
to one road, the Northern Pacific, but
should the capital remain there pcrma-
ncntly other roads would soon reach there
undoubtedly. Both the Milwaukee, and
Northwestern have lines or branches point
ing that way, and some company would in
time doubtless construct IL line up the
Missouri valley. The history of Dakota
railroads is that they not only keep pace
with the demands and wants of the coun-
try, but in the majority of instances have
built and EXTENDED far beyond the deyel-
opment OF settlers, and at loss, and the
incentive to occupy and compete for d.
vision of the increasing traffic that the
establishment of the capital would cause
Of itself good assurance their spirit will
not abate.
The nearest geographical center of any
town aspiring is that that of Bismarck, if
this is to be considered as an essential, but |
it is not the center by far of the populated |
portion of the territory, nor will it ever be, |
though an immense tract Of country yet |
unsettled extends to the northwest and |
east. Large portions of the northern re-
glon will probably never be peopled to any |
extent, broken, DOOR and untlllable land !
predominating, and the inclement seasons
that prevail, and the far off northern To-
cality present but feeble attractions for the
agriculturist.
w hat the majority of the people in the
populous southern part Of the territory
think of the location, it now of course is
impossible to assert Surprise seems to
be the present manifestation Some con-
demn, Others think 1T is all right, " and
some do not know what to think or say
Setting aside any feeling that may have
arisen at the manner and time in and at
which the removal has been effected the
division question necessarily has to be con-
sidered before concluding as to the appro-
prlateness Of the commissioners act and |
selection. TO the southern Dakotaian,
who as a matter of course desires the cap
ital farther south from the line of the
British possessions than Bismarck is, aris-
es the possibility of a division Of the terri
tory north and south with the Missouri
river as dividing line, also that of a pos
slblc admission OF the territory as whole.
Should either Of the above occur, it must
be admitted that Bismarck is the
most central point that is now feasible |
with the exception of the vicinity of Aber-
deem, Ordway or jamestown, the latter
possibly being more so than any other
mentioned and easier of access, but should |
the division be made on the 10th parallel !
it is immaterial to those south Of that line |
where the capital is for northern Dakota,
whether at Bismarck or elsewhere.
Should the territory never be divided the
majority of its citizens would neverbc con-
tent with the new location, and it would |
probably be changed in the future or as
soon as the fact is ascertained.
AS the matter now stands, with the
question of division and admission unset
tied, and with no assurance as to what the |
result will be, and as the change is to be
made we think that the location at Bis
marck perhapsas desirable as could be ex-
pected, and unless some legal intervention
should prohibit, our southern members
elect will have to quietly prepare for the |
winters sOjourn, where the Artic zephyrs
blow so mildly as to laugh at buffalo over
coats and seal-skin wraps. We can con-
gratulate the northerners that southern
Dakota has given to and located their
capital for them, and we must take our
turn in perambulating towards BAfins
Bay and the Artic region to frame laws
tor a rising power
sn-.-..-a-..ns
The floods at Council Bluffs, while not
SO severe as at one time reported, caused
damage estimated at from 100000 to
100000, some placing even a higher fig
ure on the losses. The city losses, seven
of the nine bridges across Indian creek,
the new opera house which was nearly
completed, and sustains heavy loss by
damage by municipal Improvements,
Many people in losing their houses and
! turnifuro b,ya Loot rbo;r III and D,uCt bo