Bismarck tribune., 1883-12-14
THE DIVISION OF DAKOTA.


the division bill introduced by Hon.
John B. Raymond, says; "There will be
little, if any, opposition to the measure,
by the citizens of the territory, and that
little will be in the vicinity of Bismarck,
for reason that can hardly be called
public spirit, but still one that probably
would be found in any locality having
real or presumptive title to the capital.
Bismarck was one of the strongest advo-
Gates of division until the capital re-
moval scheme was projected, and it is
not at all surprising thatit would rather
be the capital of $4,000 square miles OF
domain than of $4,000, and take the
chances of being the capital OF the
smaller-run the gauntlet of another
capital location"
If the editor of the Alert had read up
on the history of the attempted division
of Dakota, he would have discovered
that the measure has been before
congress at every session since 1872.
That when the republicans had absolute
power in both branches of congress the
bill was killed session after session, be-
cause the east was unwilling to lay the
foundation for another western state.
That when the democrats gained posses
sion and fought the bill because unwill-
ing to admit one republican state and lay
the foundation for another, they were
Joined by this same element, and all who
have been active in working for this
measure in congress for the past ten years
then gave up all hope of division.
The position of the tribune was taken
at that time, nearly three months before
the capital was located at Bismarck, and
without any relation whatever to the
capital question, and the TRIBUNE be-
lieves it is sustained in it's view by the
people of Bismarck.
Bismarck will not be found antagon-
izinp the division question. The citizens
of the territory have right to petition
and labor for division, and Delegate Ray
mond did right to introduce his bill for
that purpose, because division has been
demanded by a large majority of the peo-
ple of all sections of the territory, and
this course was necessary in order to sat
isfy the very considerable element that
still demands and expects it.
But it cannot be accomplished, because
it is contrary to democratic policy to
hermit it: because the eastern
states will not favor an increase
of senatorial power in the west; because
the reasons that have been urged in favor
of division are passing away, and that
country lying between the two sections,
which for time was represented and
believed to be worthless, is proving to be
the best portion of Dakota and is rapidly
being occupied, and before another year
passes the two sections of Dakota will
he united by at least three different lines
of railroad, and for the crowning reason
that there is opposition to division grow
ing up in all parts of the territory that is
daily gaining strength, and for the
further reason that the recent vote on
the constitutional question in the south
mart, of the territory will be looked upon
as proof that the people of that region do
not desire division.
The division fever must be allowed,
however. to run it's course. If the people
If Bismarck have recovered from it ear
lier than others they are to be congratu-
lated. Two of them, at least, who have
snant no small amount of money in the
nast Iaboring for division, are sufficiently
amused and do not care to waste any
more time in that direction.