Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-04-03
THE CAPITAL BILL.
Denunciations Of the Scheme Still
Coming in.
Outside Pressure of Public Opin-
ion Continues as it
Started.

Grand Forks News.
The capital removal commission has
virtually cost the territory of Dakota
half million dollars; that is to say, the
bonded Indebtedness of the territory was
increased by the late legislature to an
extent which but few have yet been able
to estimate, but it is believed S750,0OO
will cover the amount. It is safe to say
that fully two-thirds of this enormous
sum was appropriated for the creation
and maintenance of new public institu-
tions which the affairs and people of
Dakota do not need and which at once
become burden upon the general pros
perity. The majority of the tax payers
Of Dakota, especially those who have
recently settled here, are more in want
of comfortable homes than they are in
need of normal schools, universities, pen
itentiaries and agricultural colleges.
Most of them are in debt for the lumber
in their humble huts, for the machinery
to harvest their crops, and nearly all are
paying high rates of interest for money
borrowed upon their lands. Every mill
that has been added to former rates of
taxation is another pound about the poor
tax payers neck-every cent ton; and
how any man who took part in the out.
rageous scheme to put through the leg
islature the capital removal job can re.
turn to his constituents and claim that
the act was public necessity; that the
interests of the territory demanded it
that the measure was not prompted by
selfish motives, etc, is beyond the com.
| prehensiOn OF all honest and fair minded
men.
In is well-known fact that when the
capital removal matter first came to the
surface it had but few advocates. The
governor was then opposed to it. Toe
friends of removal prior to the oath o.
January could have been enumerated up
on the fingers of n one-armed man. Abou
the date mentioned, however, confer
ence was held at which Gov. Ordway
Jud LaMoure. Geo. II. Walsh, and the,
or four others, were present. The objec
of this conference was to bring Gov. Ord
way into the scheme He came in, bu
it was not generally known in Yanktor
until the last days of the legislature that
the governor was friendly to the re
movalists. The prime movers in thu
scheme having secured the acquiescenc.
of the chief executive (who signs til,
bills), cautious and strategic move wa
made upon the members of the legisla
ture. Jud LMoure resigned his position
as sergeant-at.arms of the house that b,
might have more time to devote to tn,
main chance. The time soon came TO
making the annual appropriations. l
was then that the removalists began to d,
business in earnest. They declare,
themselves opposed to this apPropria
! ton and that appropriation, until til,
members representing districts contain
ing public institutions became alarme,
: and finally pledged their votes for til
capital removal bill if tho removalist
, would agree not to oppose the appro
) priations. In the meantime it is charge
J that the governor becoming more deepl
3 interested IN the removal scheme, hel,
, back his signature from certain bills ur
j til the authors would consent to supper
l the removal measure. And SO the higt
9 handed infamy proceeded.
' As the close of the session drew nigl
). however, the removalists still lacked
|. majority. Something must be don,
e Tho grand opportunity for mammot
|, Job must not be lost. Half doze
D more votes would remove the capt.,
n and give the promoters of the scheme
d magnificent chance to make million j
i. spe onlation. It was then for the fir
y time discovered that Dakota was in in
/. minent need of numerous schools, etc
t and the members who were serving the
}. first term were shown how they coul
1 become politically famous by securing