The Dickinson press., 1883-05-12
rom the st. Paul Pioneer Press May S

Tho Dakota CAPITAL commission, accompanied
by its secretary, MI. II. W. Wheelock, and 10y
a number Of gentlemen having more than q
general interest in the question Of the loca-
ton Of the capital of the Territory, arrived in
st. Paul from Mitchell, Oak. last evening at z
O'Clock over the Milwaukee, Chicago and St.
Paul road. and the entire PARTY is now housed
at the Merchants. Every member Of the COM
mission camo on the trip. They started
at 1890 in the morning and Travelled
in q special car. The parties accom-
panying them, $. +. %Goodykoutz, president of
tho First National bank Of Mitchell; Messrs.
Brown ana 1. A. Gale Of Canton, bankers;
y. L. Cressey Of Huron, one OF tho clerks Of
the Dakota legislature and editor of the Dakota
Daily Leader; N. q. Nash of Canton, editor of
tho Sioux Valley News; l. G, Johnson of Ord
and j. G. P. Hildeb.ana, of tho Daily
Journal Of Sioux City, Iowa. Alexander
Hughes, tho chairman of the commission, has
with him his wife aud child. Tho newspaper
men are travelling as correspondents for tlieir
respective papers. and the members of the
commission say that the other gentlemen,
though very much Interested sn the decision of
the committee, Lave not pressed the claims of
tho towns they represent upon them. nor au-
n1oycd them by any advances that llavo
had tho appearance of lobbying. The
bCl'icLIleI themselves are, however, apliaf-
emily very intont upon finding out all they can
respecting the future plans of the commission.
The commission is on Its tour of inspection of
tho towns which have presented proposals..
They will remain here until Sunday, then pro-
coed to Aberdeen, and after looking over
the ground there, will visit Ordway, Redfield,
Huron and Pierre, in turn, returning to
Canton in time to open the proposals there on
May 10. In all ten towns have sent in pro-
posals, including besides those named, Can
ton, kiddar, Steele, on the Northern Pacific,
and one that Is unknown, tho proposals having
st. Paul is to save stage coach travelling.
CAPT. hughes INTERVIEWED
Several of the gentlemen were interviewed
last evening, including Capt. Hughes. He said:
We found. when we met at Canton, that several
towns Intending ls,i to submit proposals were not
ing was to give them an opportunity to send them
in. We thought we could occupy the inter-
W vsn''s than mm' in IN visiting tin m some r sf ths
places that have been heard from. l do not think
that there will be any further extension granted.
With regard to this hue aud cry that has been raised
against the commission by the Yankton ring and
Pettigrew aud his followers. it may be said to rise
from two causes: First, Pettisrew's hostility to
60 G0v make or1 lsI;y;;c,, and o,n;,, ste9 %dcn a p.,t desire
saw an opportunity to do, by taking advantage of
the prejudice. that was at first created against the
commission and the measure: So far as there hav-
AhA WIN IA iiaiSot III ut' III IlC ldlle vi
any Encouragement respecting the loca-
ton to be selected, l have to say that
have ne knowledge Of anything Of
the kind. The commission intends to do its work
honestly ana squareiy. and TO take sucn action us 1t
believes to be for the best interests Of the Terri
tory: don't think that any member has any place
in view, where he would like to see the capital To-
Gated, and SO far as l am concerned personally l
have no more idea where the CAPITAL will be To-
Gated than a child unborn. There has been very
little discussion upon the question as yet. Perhaps
THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION
to be considered by us is rs to whether the site
should be located with respect to the boundary
lines of the territory as it exists, or with a view Of
the future division upon the line of the forty sixth
parallel. think the views Of the commissioners
view that the site should be- selected With
reference to the question of division.
Then when the Territory is divided the southern
section will have its capital all fixed, when the new
State is created there is no question that tue senti-
ment Of the people of the Territory is in favor of
division-The places we have heard from, with the
/ am not aware that any member of the commits
sion owns or deals in property in any of the
towns from which tho bids have been received
that is, with the exception of MI. Myers, who, /
understand owns a farm in the vicinity Of one Of
the places. Gov. Ordway, l understand, owns a
small tract Of land near Pierre. He is not making
mlSS1ep, ln aH tro naY i,f nnd y If hay yr r %ii e R eap f {
ing any wish of his in the matter.
NOT AN AUCTION.
We do not understand that there is to be an auc-
ton; and the capital site is to be knocked down to
the highest bidder, In selecting the sites, various
questions will be takeu into consideration, such as
eligibility, centruli,y, accessibility to railroad lines.
etc. OF course the amount named in proposal
will have its influence, but neither tho amount Of
money, nor of land offered will alone decide
the question. l have perfect integrity in the abili-
ty and character of my associates; I do not think
any of them will allow themselves TO b. influenced.
There is no doubt that there was a prejudice Great
ed against the commission at first; but l see people
constantly from various parts of the ter
ritory. and lad had large opportunities fol
observation, and am convinced
strongly in favor Of tho commission and of the
removal of the capital to some more central point.
In fact l believe that Eine-tenths of the people OF
the Territory want the capital removed. As to Just
how the thing ought TO be done, there may be
some difference Of opinion. As TO the relations
of the meulerS with the xQYeruQr.