The Dickinson press., 1883-06-30
SOUTHERN DAKOTA,
The Body Formally Organizes and
Adheres to the Main Purposes of
Division and Statehood.
a Constitutional Convention Called TO
Meet OH the 4th of
September.

a CONSTITUTIONAL convention Called to
Meet on the 4th of
September.
DIVISION AND STATEHOOD.
Huron, Oak, Special Telegram, Juno 10
o'clock, the large delegation quito filling the
Wlgwam, which was duly decorated for the
occasion With flags, and over the rostrum with
apicture OF George Washington and the words
State of Dakota and Fear God and Take
Your Own Part Rev. Wilmot Whitfield called
the convention to order. Two bands of music
occupied the platform. Tho call was read q,
length and tho chairman nominated for tenn.
porary chairman Hon. B. l. Caulfield of Dead
wood, who thanked tho convention for the
honor conferred, and congratulated tho people
OF Southern Dakota upon tho demonstration OF
patriotism and the expression of love of indie
pendence and self-government in this conyen-
ion.
The people OF this government, he said, had the
right OF self government and an enabling act was
an innovation which need not be regretted. The
sisterhood of States had never Jet refused to ad-
init TO their number any State or community With
the requisite number of population, characteristic
and wealth of self government. We have assem-
bled here to say to congress that we, the people of
Dakota. have the right to Statehood and to risk
OUR ADMISSION a. A STATE.
At his request Rev. DIR. Hoyt invoked the
divine blessing. Phillip II. Lawrence of
Kingsbury and w. L. McChesnoy of Brown
county were elected temporary secretaries,
Judge Moody moved tho appointment of a
committee on credentials, made up of one from
each county whore there arc no contested dele
cations. A resolution was adopted giving the
committee powor to consider tho rights of the
unorganized counties to a larger represents
ton than the one provided fer in the call. A
committee of seven on permanent orsaniza-
ton was appointed as follows: G. Ii. Winsor,
Judge Edmuads, w. L. Hamilton, E. S. John
so1, Gen. Pease. John Cain and E. S. Vorhoos.
A committee on rules and order, consisting of
M NJ. Grigsby, Judge Campbell, L. r. Rogers,
J. Q. Boyle and A B. Melville, was then ap-
pointed. Arecess was taken till 5 o'clock.
-, AFTERNOON SESSION.
When the convention was called to order
after recess the committee Oh credentials vas
not ready to report, and moro than half an
hour was filled with music by the band and
short speeches by Judge Brookings and Judge
Campbell, the lattor of whom said that
The occasion was one which REQUIRED no sneech.
es. represented. as Dakota was, by the representa-
tive men of the country south of the forty-sixth
parallel. Of men from ali walks of life. demanding
-ofthe Territory and Statehood. If the convention
means business. it should be borne in mind that
me WORK before them means work. persistence and
money, and he hoped the convention would not adj
journ until the leading men from each Of the
counties had pledged themselves to devotion to this
struggle. II congress sees fit to refuse US admission
when we properly present our claim, then con-
eress becomes revolutionary, and the party which
contributes to such a revolt may expect to be re-
legated to obscurity., Knowing, then, our rights
and daring to maintain them, let us 20 forward ro
success.
A. b. Melville of Beadle county said:
When it was borne in mind that the act passed Inv
the only body OF representatives that the Territory
mas was vetoed by a foreign power, it was time that
this unhallowed yoke should be shaken off forever
ana our independence from this bondage be de.
clared. Let our action BIO calm and Wise, SO it shall
selves.
Hon. John King agreed with tho opinion OK
pressed by the preceding speakers and said:
lie thought that the enemies of the object of the
convention were speedily becoming less, but oppo-
s!tlon woull undoubtedly be encountered and de-
without division. l1o urged that decision be- in-
sisted UPON as a cardinal principle in the fight.
A.. l. Hamilton Of Lawrence spoke in the
same strain. pointing out eloquently that
Southern Dakota had tho population, the intel
ligence and tho country 10 support such an in
dependent government Speaking for the
Black Hills, he said that he25, 900 or 80, o
people IN that country were standing shoulder
TO shoulder for division, and admission as soon
thereafter as possible. Tho speaker spoke at
some length with much warmth, and stirred
the audience to shouts of applause and much
enthusiasm.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
he was interrupted by tho return OF the com.
mlttee OH credentials, who made their report
shortly after 4 O'Clock. All tho counties were
represented except Charles Mix, Custer aud
Lake. An effort was made to amend tho re-
port 80 as to give Brown county sixteen instead
OF twelve votes, but the motion did not prevail
and the report was adopted. The
=. per1nahoEt organization reported the follow
ing, Who were constituted tho permanent Off
GERS of the convention:
President-B. L. CaulGeld of Lawrence.
Vice Iresidents-Rev. Joseph Ward, Yankton. II.
NJ ~ {, G;oodykountz. Brule; G.. D.. Pratt. Moody; II.
E 3 Thornton Ts,s r Day bon Dr. R. L; Smith. Hand; A.
IAN IA, 1--WE n n,,o Grant ii L, g; Thomas cod1ington: Viii
John Todd, Bonhomme: Col. KimbaIll, CAV D4ut 4 y
Foster. Hanson; E. W. Foster, Sphinx.
McChesney, Brown: c. F. Mallahan, Union: John
Cain, Beedle: .. Prentiss. Hughes,
Hon. John D. White, Congressman from
kentucky, was invited to q seat on the plat
form, and that gentleman being called for, said
as one he was willing to admit Dakota as u
state7and would not object to division on the
forty-sixth parallel.
TIE COMMITTEE ON RULES
made q report, recommending that only such
subjects as wore contained in tho call be con-
siIcred, and that committees be appointed on
resolutions, publication. superintendent, ad-
;.ess to the people OF Dakota and on business.
bending the appointment of these committees.
a recess was taken Of balf-an-hour. The
'&air appointed as the committces, recon-
menled by the committee on order of business,
the following:
~ -sutmsnt-A. G.. Kellum, Brule: @. w.
;,aoey, Beadte:.- j. w. Shannon, Bonhomme;
Eonert Dalton, Brookiuss; y. J. barrow, Brown:
\. Dawson, Coddington: 4. a, kingsbbry. Dawson;
II. G. Green, Day: NJ. Nj. Moultan. Douglass;
George II. Woodmau. Grant; A: Ii. Lewis. Hand:
Hughes; Thomas II Ruth, Lawrence: Porter War
nor, Lincoln; A. p. Dickson, Miner: J. P. REILLY,
Sanborn; r. +; Reed. Minuehaha: r. I. Pettirrsw,
SPHINX; I. ". Rogers. Tqrner:J P Cu!ran, Union;
,Whitcher, Sully: j: A. Malone, Faux: J. A. Pick
Ter, Potter:O: II. Mann. buffalo: +. A. Herman,
On rohibiiion-Joln Cain. Huron: William II.
.Feppart. Hand; Il. Mammalian, Union.
Business Committee-3artlct Tripp, Yankton;
WV. Brookings, Minnehaha: o. E. Dewey, Cod
diington: j. w. Taylor, Lincoln: A. Wardell, Grant:
Al. Knight, Lawrence: T.. ". Foster. Pink.
On Resolulious-Ii II. j. Campbell, Hughes: ).
9 !. Moody Y LawteIce; ". A. Wilkes, Minnehaha:
ton: A. B. Melville, Bealle; ii. L. Mayhem, San
born: O. L. Mann. Potter; G. II. Walworth, Union.
Address to the Peopic-E. w. Caldwell, Sioux
Falls; J. h. King, Brute; J: A. ,kingsbury. John
lin, CLARK: r. p. Hassrll. Sphinx; Z. S. Voorhees,.
, Hand; Ii. Z. Dewey, Hughes.
The committee on resolutions was instructed
: toreport at the evening session the number Of
delegates to the constitutional convention.
should it be deemed proper to call it, and the
convention tNpl, a .aAo,a " 49, =: ---