Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-09-19
sATURDAY-rwELy1H DAY.

vention would meet at s o'clock in the
morning.
sATURDAY--TwRLyIH DAY.
When tie convention was called to
order, it was S.20 o'clock. No minister
being present to open the conven ton,
the president, looking over to Fl. NJ.
Williamson, of Moody, said with all the
gravity the occasion could summon !:
II will call upon MIR. Williamson to of.
fer prayer
With good deal of embarrassment,
MIR. Williamson arose and replied, 81
am lawyer, Mr. President, and not a
minister"
There was an unusual buoyancy OBJ
served in the risibIes of those present
despite the subject.
Rev. Joseph Ward Of Yankton offered
prayer and the journal was read and the
convention opened.
A. P. Allen of Moody. Edward
Wheelock and r. B. Spicer Of Codington
were granted leaves of absence.
II. NJ. Williamson of Moody present
ed petition upon the regulation of
sale and manufacture of liquor, which
was referred to the legislative commit.
tee.
II. j. Campbell OF Yankton called up
for further consideration the report of
the committee on schedule, beginning
with section eight. and which went over
as special order from the previous day.
Section eight involved the question of
electjng state and other officers, over
which go much discussion was evinced
during the previous morning hour. It
resolved into the question of whether
or not congress would look with greater
favor upon the constitution if a full COM
plement of state officers were presented
with the constitution.
w. Nj. Pierce of Codingtop-H it is a
non.partlsan move we can do nothing
else than elect officers at the same time
the constitution is submitted, it is right
that We should.
B. G. Caulfeld of Lawrence-We of
the Black Hills are and have been an1-
ious for statehood, for the reason that we
believe it will advance the interests OF
| not only our community, but the whole
state. We are cut off from our brethren
IN other parts of the territory, because
we have no railroad facilities. believe
statehood will advance those interests
We have one of the finest mining and
agriculturist countries in the world and
we want it developed, and yet we are no,
selfish. am for the admission of the
territory to statehood, If democrat
never hold an Office. I.would rather ge
in now with no democrats in office thar
wait and hold all the offices. Bat an
compelled to differ with some of m,
friends here. I give you all credit fo
being honest in your zeal and patriotism
in this work, but fear you will make
mistake if you adopt this clause ane
elect officers. Members of congress ar
jealous of the manner in which they ar
elected, and they want every one to e,
there elected in the same way. l hav
seen men elected IN more regular wa,
than we could hope to elect, hanging
around congress with certificate of eIec
tion in their pockets, and they were no
admitted to seats. When We send mem
bers to congress We want them to hav
clean and clear certificates. Alaska tw
years ago elected by convention lik
this delegate to congress, and the,
laughed and scoffed at him, until b
was driven finally from the floor as nc
being entitled to it. Mr.. Pettigrew ha
to go and beg of the speake
to let him have all th
courtesies of the floor. We don
want to send member there who wi
have to sit in the gallery and pee
through the glass door at the seat hi
!. !. heart longs for. Laughterl. Let us g
! down to Washington with only one col
, stitution and say it is republican in forl
! and that We have complied with all r.
! quirements, and they are bound unde
! ! oath to admit us to statehood. Me
: have hung around congress for years an
= a. years with certificates like those a
! would issue, and they were not admitte
g nor given their salary. II l could /
: made to believe it advisable / woul
!, grab at and grasp at the proposition
elect officers, but cannot. Ibelieve Y
: have the right to do so, but don't b
9 lieve we can make others believe it, NJ
Q even the republicans. The republican
:. = of New England are not in favor of o,
admission. anyway, because they fe,
y our power. They see their power wa
= ing, financially, and they want to kee
! us down.
II H. j. Campbell of Yankton-I ha,
. been greatly edited and much instrue
e = ed by the gentleman's Mr.. Caulfield
- description of the demoralizing effect
y electing members to congress. wa
) to ask him if he has any doubt abo
!. our right to proceed by electing officer
!. Mr.. Caultield-I have no doubt Y
e have the right.
. Mr.. Campbell-Then what wlndc
will our congressional committee pc,
- through into congress?
= Mr.. Caulield-The same window o
- members of congress will peep throue
- MIR. Campbell-Then, as the Scot.
y proverb puts it, Deliver us from o
y friends" Ii we go to congress fearil
y We have no rights, and go bumbly Al
= say, please admit us, for we belle
- we have n night to admission-that
we think we have = right: We are n
sure but We think so--and We woul
,, that is we think SO, like to be admitted
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