Daily globe., 1883-06-04
THE DAKOTA COMMISSION

Tor the capital for that territory, having
completed their business on Saturday
scattered IN various directions, some of
them golng'to Bismarck to participate in
the lolllhcatlon of the people in that thriv-
Ing town over the result of the lahors of
the commission. They have been lono
| engaged and good deal of territory has
been travelled over by the members and
all sorts of opinions from all sorts of neo-
pie have been listened to. From what
the members of the commission saw if
would seem as though they travelled over
something besides bed of roses. The
arguments in favor of different points were
strong, and the Inducements to locate the
capital at one point instead of another
we're very tempting ana it
was not easy to decide
readily between the places named. The
effort to be just, and deal fairly with re-
gard to all applicants required good de-
gree of carefulness and discrimination.
The members of the commission think
that under all the circumstances they have
succeeded IN acting in a judicious manner
and that all things considered, a more sat
lstactory location than Bismarck could
not be made.
On separating on Saturday, latter the con-
clusion of the work devolved upon the
members of the commission, only two of
them came through to ST. Paul-Mr.
Mathews and Mr.. Thompson. They ar
rived yesterday morning and went to the
Merchants, where they remained till 4:I5
yesterday afternoon, when they left on the
Sioux City train for their respective
homes. After breakfast, like good Chris
tian citizens, the only kind they have in
Dakota, they went out to the First Baptist
church, and in the afternoon quietly
walked about town. 1t was not till Just be-
fore the time for the train to start that
the representative of the GLOBE caught
them and had a brief conversation with
them. They really had nothing to say
more than what has already been said, in
regard TO this great matter of locating
the capital of that territory, except that
the indications are that the people of the
whole territory will like the decision and
be perfectly satisfied with it. This is new,
for there were some reasons to think that
the selection of Bismarck would not be
satisfactory to all. Mr.. Mathews and Mr..
Thompson were interviewed together and
both agreed, so that the sayings of
one are of the sayings of the other, and
the same are summed up in the following
statements of what they said yesterday
afternoon:
The proposition of Bismarck all things
considered, was altogether the best. The
large amount of land offered, the thriving,
growing city, its central location, the com
parative ease with which it can be reached,
It's present and prospective railroad facili-
ties, and other similar considerations, left
no doubt in the minds of the members of
the commission. Everything was har-
monious throughout with the members, not
withstanding the difference of opinion and
interests as to the location. The different
members, of course, had their individual
preferences for the location and each one
was an advocate for some special place,
but each respected the rights of all to have
their preferences. All the members of
southern Dakota were perfectly willing
that 1t should go to Bismarck providing
1t could not go to some place in the south
ern part of the territory. In other words
each member of the commission from
southern Dakota was in favor of Bismarck
If he could not have it at his chosen spot
This made Bismarck the second choice
with all except those that were for that
city all the time. After the matter was
settled everybody, even those from north
ern Dakota, were satisfied and SO expressed
| themselves. A good many business men
from various parts of the northern part of
the territory, who had been present
attending the meetings of the COM
mission, came in and congratulated
the members on the result, and
distinctly stated that inasmuch as they
couldn't have the capital at their own par
ticuiar place they were glad it had been
located at Bismarck. Gov. Ordway ex-
pressed great satisfaction at the result.
The people of the southern part of the
territory do not know and have not known
mu3h about the people of
no :thern Dakota, snd have
been disposed to look upon that part of
the territory as uninviting, and as not
amounting to much. They have had an
opportunity to change their opinions in
that respect. Mitchell and other
towns mentioned were not centrally Iocat-
ed, had no water privileges, while Bis
marck is located on one of the largest
rivers in the world and on the line of one
of the best and most thoroughly equipped
railroads in the world. Neither of these
gentlemen have any idea that Yankton or
any of her people, or the authorities of ths
territory will make any trouble in the
courts, or any efforts to disturb the action
of the members of the commission. Had
the capitol been located in southern
Dakota and not at Ysnkton that would
have injured Yankton by building up a
rival to that city. Commit
tees were appointed to plat
the ground for the capitol, and the work
of erecting the building will be commenced
as soon as the plans and specifications
can be prepared. They will have, with
what Bismarck gives in money and the
proceeds of the sale of land given by her
about $4,000 The idea is to commence
the construction of capitol that will cost
when finished $1,5OO,OOO. Only wing
will be commenced now and additions will
be made gradually till the whole is COM
pleted. This, however, will be
in the future. The intention is
to have enough of the building
up in two years from now, that is, in
year from next winteA so that the next
legislature can meet there at that time.
As soon as the building is ready for occu-
pancy the records will be removed from
Yankton. When asked if they thought
there would be any trouble about moving
the records both Mr.. Mathews and Mr