The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-08-10
TERRITORIAL NEWS.
IN INTERVIEW ANENT DAKOTA.

MAI. Alexander Hughes Talks About the
Quo warrantot Gaze, tile Constitutional
Convention and the Bismarck Capitol.
f ON the PinLeer Press, August 2.
Alexander Hughes, chairman OF tho building
committee of tue Dakota capital commits ion,
passed. through St Paul yesterday en- route
From Yankton to Bismarck Mr.. Hughes has
taken up his quarters in Bismarck, having re-
novel his family thi.her some time ago He
was in Yanktou as counsel for the capital re-
moyal commission, in conjunction with Col.
William F. V,lss, and WAS presontin an sd-
vlsory capacity during the argument in the
quo warrano proceedings before Chief Justice
Edgerton. In the opinion of Mr.. Hughes
Judge Edgerton can render but one decision
II Sep,ember-and that will DO in favor of the
legality Of tho action of the comm ssion. Mr..
Hughes says that al! the precedents, from the
location of the capital at Washington to the
locations by legislative commission in Iowa
and Missouri, are in favor Of the
legality Of the Dakota legislatures method. In
the event Of Judge Edgerton's decision being
adverse to the commission, an appeal would
be Immediately taken and work would go on
1t Bismarck just the same.
THE SIOUX FALLS CONVENTION
Asked I 'r an opinion as to the methods and
outcome of the Sioux Falls, Southern Dakota,
constitutional convention to be held Sep. 4,
Mr. Hughes said:
regard tho whole thing as completely without
warrant. One part Of Territory can't under
any process of Inv or precendent. set itself apart
and draft constitution: Itwould he simply se.es-
this don't believe the farmers and solid citizens
favor the move, and guess the vote day for
delegates will b. very light one, The whole
scheme has been worked up by politicians. and they
haze thpic xp1,' oh
paRns. have given great deal OF thought to the
question Of admission. have conversed with United
States senators and representatives about and 1t
is my conviction that Dakota will not be admitted
until after the next presidential election II the
Democrats are in power they will admit Dakota,
undivided. aud to Offset the Republican gain will
also admit some Observation-Disclosures or Utah
which can be cnuniei on as Democratic. don't
expect to see Dakota divided.
BISMARCK AND THE CAPITOL
Mr.. HUI :hcs says the new capitol will be q
very hand ONE building, much handsomer
than that Of Minnesota, though the ground
space aud pan arc similar lhere arr TO be
three full stories in tine Dakota building, and
in St. Paul, especially as to the tower. The
cost will be from $3.50, 600 to $500, 900, aud
it is the intention to provide for all tho rooms
needed, at once fixing them in good shape The
rest Of the structure can be completed more
leisurely. Brick will be used largely and the
1Ouuu6LOu ~ ~ Dc VI SFdulte. MT hughes
was evidently much impressed with Bismarck's
capabilities, and said that in one bank, near
the capitol site, they hal found clay which
made admiia Ule fire brick, red, white and
flesh colored brick and two or three kinds Of
terra Gotta. The fuel (gnite) to burn the brick
is found in the same bank as the caly. So far,
the plans are general and are likely to be mod.
flied or changed III one way or another, as the
question OF cost arise. The bids for con-
struction are to be opened in Bismarck on the
18th OF this month.
THE MONEY PART
Mr.. Hughes had no doubt that the land
grant would pan out as well MS any reasonable
man could EXPECT Tie 14O acres around the
c,pi:o: will probably be offered for sale in
September. The 16O acres OIL the flats will
lie fallow until the town has sufficient growth
to enhance their value for railway or manu-.
featuring purposes. Tie 500, 900 in cash,
Mr. Hughes says, is ava liable and always has
been; there never was anv reason to question
it. In his opinion the a'ling of in interest in
Bismarck realty and the decline in prices was
due solely to the fact that the thing was
oyerdone at the time the capital was
located, In St Paul there was congregatcd
about So, 900, 900 of capital waiting to invest.
the papers had been full of tho matter and the
prospective capital had secured more adver-
Using than any othor locality in the country
ever got. Values jumped too high The locs.
ton of the capital forwarded the making Of
a city, but didn't cause it at once. As to rail
Ways MIR. Hughes said:
There will be railway building this year. lam
not at liberty to say how much or by whom.