The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1883-04-26
Yankton INDIGNATION.

| On friday nlght at anktOn at gath
ering where Iessls Pettigrew. Edmunds,
Gamble, Dewey and others spoke to an
audience of nearly a thousand people,
an opportunity was offered for any per-
son who desired, to defend the Governor
or the capital scheme and no person re-
spondcd The following resolutions were
passed.
AS citizens of Dakota whose welfare
ave would promote, and in the name Of
the people of the territory with whom our
interests are identified, we protest against
the plan devised for re- locating the capital
OF this territory -denouncing it as corrupt
in its inception, and corrupt in the means
employed to procure its enactmcnt-a re-
suit reached by trade and barter-coercion
and bribery. That it is an iniquitous per-
version of the legitimate functions of gov
ernment-that it tends to lawlessness,
rccklessness and extravagance-tha it is
contrary to and in violation of the act Or
ganizing the territory-that it directly
commends and encourages forms of spec
ulations-distracts the people from their
industrial pursuits-is destructive of good
morals--and in the name of law de6es the
law.
THAT to allow public statutes to be en-
acted and receive the executive approval,
whose sole purpose is to license private
speculation in the name of law, and to
wrest from the territory the great gain and
property that belongs to and would inure
to the people, is a species Of legislation
that should not be tolerated by any people
that have their ability for self government
and people should not submit to such an
outrage without placing the seal of con-
demnation upon the perpetrators Of the
act and the means employed to secure its
passage. That it is transforming the leg
islative council into specializing syndi-
cate each of the seven members who yo-
ted for it, being represented by retainer
on the commission.
''Reso tired, That we heartily approve
and endorse the steps which have been ta-
ken to test the legality Of the measure.
That We resent as false and slanderous any
imputations that this community has ever
encouraged os+racism or resort to vio-
lence of any kind as a means of intimid-
alton or punishment. toward any individ-
ual or body of men identified With the cap
ital removol scheme, counselling at all
times that only legal methods be taken to
defeat what threatens to be the greatest
and most permanent af1liction ever visited
upon Dakota
"Resolred, That we arraign Gov.
Ordway for his course in connection with
the legislation named: For constantly
using the veto power to coerce the support
of members of the legislature to this and
other legislation: for conniving with
members Of the legislature to further his
own pecuniary and political interest, in
creating expensive public buildings be-
yend the need of the territory at great
cost to the people; for appointing the lu-
crative position of auditor to his own son,
and coercing his confirmation by. threats
of vetoing large appropriation bills; for
delaying the organization of new counties
long after petition and the needs of the
community required it, and in each case
the rights Of the citizens have been out
ragged by an organization to his own pecu-
mary advantage, and in three instances by
the appointment of his son and two clerks
from his private Office as commission
ers.
That: his whole course as governor
has been marked by speculation, false
hood, and fomenter of discord, and
has disgraeed The position he occupies. .