The Dickinson press., 1883-06-30
How do YOU regard the movement for
n1y1s1oN AM AnM1ss1ov2-

II have been quite willing to cooperate with a
movement for }.,f division ,si 2, and the admission Of
which are likely to arise under what may be called
the plan to force the southern halt OF tho Territory
into the Union, | feel compelled to withhold my
signature to q bill which passed. the last Legislative
assembly during the closing hours of the session,
and for which failure to approve l un.
derstand I was criticised in a preamble
to some resolutions passed by the convention. As
this bill was before the legislative assembly during
aef,,s largo portion OF the session, and
when It was finally thrown upon the Executive sse eli" in
connection with moro than two hundred other bill:
during the last three days of the
session, many members advised mo that they
did not expect its approval, providing as it did TO,
taking. a large sum of money from tho Ter
ritorial treasury. WHICH had been assessed upon
all of the counties to be used for the exclusive
benefit of certain counties that desired to set UP q
government ror themselves without authority
from congress: Other provisions of the bill relaS-
ing to the calling of q constitutional convention.
its extraordinary powers, the mode of assessing
taxes In various counties without any provision of
law, rendered. it 80 unquestionably Objectionable
that an extended veto message was not required, as
expected by the members of the legislative assem-
bly,. Only two or three persons recommended its
approval, one of whom was \ member who had
session, and to him l gave assurances that. q
bill for calling a convention. embracing all of the
counties. with a provision that each portion might
frame separate constitutions, would receive the
executive sanction"
DANGER
rs not this new movement, then, devoid of soma
OF the objections of the original one in that 1t cam
not possibly make any invasion upon the Territo-
rial treasury?"
OF course, this movement in its ncipiencycan not
take money from the Territorial treasury, yet COM
plote machinery has been provided for the issuance
OF a largo amount of unlawful certificates, which,
If finally loaded upon tho Territory by some subse-
quent legislature of the Territory, or of a new State.
would seriously impair the present splendid finan-
cial condition of the Territory. For instance, the
cost of the present meeting. which will undoubtedly
the cost of holding the special election in all counties
in August will probably reach $4,000. and the
pay of $50 MEMBERS and officers of the con-
rent, printing. etc, will undoubtedly, aggregate
100000, to which must be added the cost of
blanks. extra ballot boxes and incidental expenses
attending the election for the ratification
of tho proposed constitution aud the election
of the almost innumerable State and county officers.
for which the convention will doubtless provide,
debteducss to nearly $4,000. 10 this sum must
also be added the expenses of the numerous com
mi1 !t which are TO set up and manage this extra
sneii1 w duties Will at desire once. 10 i IN o usH1
to, as expressed by the moro ardent members. give
aggregated Volume OF outstanding certincates
officers can be lawfully installed with
could be enforced, of from $l50,O0o to $500, 600
What value these may have in tho market remains
20 be seeu."
What is the estimated cost to the people pei
annum OF the present covernment?'
Probably about $4,000, as tho general gov,
eminent pays tho members of the legislature ant
nearly all of the legislative expenses and the sala-
ries of all the principal Territorial and judicial Off
GERS"
rs net the action, pending the admission of thu
new State, even if that be within a reasonable time
likely to lead to the utmost confusion?"
The7 plan adopted by the conventions, If carried
out in accordance with tho tone of the speeche
made by those who brought the work to the con
vcntien for an Endorsement must lead to great con
fusion II not to a collision between the territorial
and quasi State officers. Tho territorial
officers are sworn to sec that all the laws arc faith
fully executed and cannot be expected to abdicat
without authority Of law. The Michigan an
other cases cited occurred during the tim
that the South was quite willing t
allow communities to swing in an
out Of the Union at will. The rebellion was tn
outgrowth of this extreme State rights doctrine
Its overthrow was the Inauguration, of an entirel
different policy. The government became a. ma
tion, and its power supreme Throughout
.ne length aud breadth Of the lane
The Territories all were subdivision
made by the general government for tn
convenience OF the people inhabiting them, and un
til congress, with the sanction of the president
creates them into States, all self-asserted rights t
government or impose taxes must fail"