Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-10-12


we 70 expect as to the future government
Of thu country? l will tell you. II will
be cOtrupt from the crown Of its head to
the sole Of its foot. Your Legislators will
be selected by the Northern Pacific; your
Judges Will be selected by it; your gov
ern0;your congressman; your United
States senstors will be elected BY 1t. And
the time will come when no
Lonest and independent man can
RAISE his head throughout the
length and breadth of Dakota in
defense OF the people and against
this ollgarchy without having his head
crushed by this enormous rower.
II the Legislature that met in Ysnkton
could with one stroke Of its pen exempt
from taxation all the enormous landed
possessions of the Northern Pacific, what
may you expect of legisla.
ture meeting at Bismarck, with
Ordvay for governor. with the capital
commission syndicate standing gnard
over the treasury? Now, with this posi-
ton OF affairs. it became evident to
thoughtful men that if the people of Da.
kota slept on their rights this summer
they would only awaken this coming
winter to find themselves hopelessly
bound hand and foot and delivered into
the hands of the Philistines. They, there.
fore, concluded that the only safety for
south Dakota was to arouse its people to
take such action as would consolidate
them in self defense In the movement
for division, statehood and independence !;
therefore, it was that the call for the
Huron convention was issued. To that
call the people Of south Dakota respond.
ed by the most magnificent gathering
ever seen IN Dakota or any neighborinR
state or territory. -Four hundred of it's
best and most independent men assem-
bled and there, after short consulta.
and all sections Of southern Dakota, with
unanimity that was unparalleled, and
| without moments hesitation, and with
all the enthusiasm and fire OF people
descendent from the heroes of rs. sdopt
ed and flung out to the people of south
Dakota their declaration of indepen.
dence, the ordinance of the Huron con.
vention conyoking the constitutions al
convention at Sioux Falls. In every
county of south Dakota the people re-
-sponded to this ordinance and elected
delegates.
| The constitutional convention met,
and in sixteen day, at their own expense,
and with wisdom, conservatism and pru.
dence which has challenged the admlra-
ton OF the people of the whole United
States and extorted commendation of
the entire press from st. Paul, New York
and Washington, they framed constitu-
| tlon, which. taken as q whole. stands on
| level with the best and most improved
constitutions in the union. I undertake
to say that the constitution now present.
ed to Dakota will stand acknowledged by
all impartial men as one of the best con-
stltutions of the union, IN its safeguards
against corporations, against the power
of railroads, against excessive taxation,
against extravaganza in public expendi.
lures and public debt; against special
legislation. against iobbery and
bribery. And also in the cafe
guards it has thrown around
the school lands and school funds of the
state. undertake to say that in all
these respects the rights of the people
are as carefully guarded and protected
against the encroachments of railroads,
corporations and the schemes of lobbyists
and plunderers as they are III any state
in the union. I challenge comparison
section by section with any other consti.
tuition, and especially with the two latest
constitutions which have been devised,
the Illinois constitution of 1870 and the
Pennsylvania constitution of 1875.
am conscious have already occupied
too much time for an occasion like this
but will simply ask your attention for
a few minutes longer while reply to
two objections which understand have
been recently urged against the constitu.
tion here In Yankton. I am informed
that gentleman who has occupied a
| n, f1n CIV
and has at one time stood high in the
regard of many Of its people, has made q
charge against this constitution, that il
contains clause which favors or permits
unjust discrimination in the matter O,
taxes in favor of railroads. l will not say
that this gentleman, Ex-J ustice Shannon
willfully misrepresent the constitution
but l do say, whether willfully or care
lessly, willingly or unwittingly, he has
misrepresented it and misstated the ef
feet OF its provisions, and has done so in
SO reckless manner as te show that
either he has not examined the subjec,
at all or that he has allowed his preju
dices and his personal grievances tc
blind his Judgment to an extraordinar,
degree.
1hold in my hand constitution which
! no sane man will assert was drawn il
, favor of railroads; which every hones
, man who knows any thing about it
knows was framed for the express pur
pose Of guarding against discrimination
in favor of railroads. The clause which
read from is taken as q model constitu
J tional provision against unjust advan
tages in the matter of taxation in favo
OF railroads. will read it:
The general assembly shall provide sucl
revenue Is may be needful by levying tax b.
valuation. so that every person and corporation
shall pay tax II proportion to the value o
! his, her or its property.
Now I will read you a correspondent,
clause from the proposed constitution o
!, Dakota:
; Article 9, section l. The legislature shal
provide such revenue as may be needful b
, levying tax by valuation SO that every perso
! and corporation shall pay a ta1 in proportio
to the value of his. her or its property.
Word for word with the constitution
of Illinois runs the constitution of Dako
ia. Now where is the shame and blusl
of this man, who either ignorantly or de
slgnedly, asserted falsely that the consti
tuition Of Dakota was framed to fayo
. railroads. The Illinois constitution Roe
on further.
And direct that such value shall be ascertain
ed by some person or persons to be selected q
q appointed in such manner the general assen
bly, shall direct, and not otherwise.
Here the constitution of Dakota dill
/ fers, and I ann glad to show you the dli
J. ference. 1t provides as follows:
= Such valuation to be ascertained and fixed i
such manner - the legislature shAll direct
the CLASSES Of property or subject upon whic
: they operate.