The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-12
THE ADMISSION OF DAKOTA


Mr. Harrison took the floor to reply to Mr..
Vests objections, and said he would consider it
inputing disgraeefuI thing to the Senator to
assert that he could only look at this question
from political party stand point 1t was true
that, before the war. when slavery was
making its aggressive and persistent
fight for mastery in the politics OF this
country and maintaining the doctrine that slave
States and free States should be kept on an
equality, there controlling political consid-
erations involved in a discussion of this char
acter; but since slavery had disappeared, he had
supposed that the exigclIcy no longer existed for
the admission of States by parties. He asked
Mr.. Vest what number of people q Territory
should contain, in order to be entitled. in his
(Mr. Vests opinion, to admission in the Union.
Mr. Vest replied that, while not attempting to
prescribe any rule, he would say that the spirit
of the Constitution required at least ratio of
population sufficient to entitle it to a Der of
the House of Represen atives; but, even If it had
that ratio of population, it would not follow that
it was entitled to admission. There were many
other circumstances to be taken into account
and each particular case would have TO be Judged
of by its particular circumstances.
Mr. Harrison said Senator Bogy, of Mo-. Sen
ator Cockreli, and other Democratic senator's
had formerly favored the admission of Dakota,
and he appealed to that noble band of Demo
Gratis who voted for its admission in 1876 to
stand by it now"
Mr. Cockrel replied that he had voted for a
proposition to divide the Territory, but not on its
admission. He was opposed. on principle, to
the admission of these new Territories of i'm
mense areas and small populations He had
persistently and consistently voted against all
such propositions.
Mr.. Harrison inquired if Mr.. Cockrel would
be satisfied with n population sufficient to on
title a territory to a member Of Congress
Mr.. Gockrell replied: mo, not If it had four
times as much"
Mr.. Harrison declared this frank statement.
1t would mean that GOO. 900 people might be with
out representation: that was one method of dis
franehising men. Mr., Harrison briefly summed
up the points already made, and could see no
reason why a Territory possessing so large, in
telligenJ and Christian "a population should be
permitted to remain in a condition no longer
adapted to their needs He expressed a wish
that a vote on the bill might be reached next
Monday but Mr.. Butler thought this too carly
and declined to consent TO an arrangement fixing
vote for that date.
Mr., Sherman introduced joint resolution
which was passed, appointing the 2lst of Febru-
airy for the ceremonies connected with the com
pletion of the Washington monument and au-
thorizng the Secretary of the Treasury to have
cards of invitation suitable to the occasion en-
graved in the Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing, and approprating the further sum of ST. 500
in addition to the amount already authorized to
be expended in the celebration.
Mr. Morgan inquired why the 21st Of Febru.
airy had been selected.
Mr. Sherman replied that tho 22d was SUNDAY.
Mr. Morgan saw in that no reason for the