The Dickinson press., 1884-08-02
DAKoTA,s NEW ExEouT1yr.


Gov. Pierce Takes the Oath Of once at
Yanl<ton, and VIII Take Up Ris Abode at
BismarcE-He Expresses Himself Freely
ON the Capital wrangle.
YANKToN, Oak, Special Telegram, July 25.
Gov Pierce took the oath of Office to-day
before ex-Gov. Faulk, now justice of the
peace. He will leave for Chicago tomorrow
morning, and after spending week and
closing his affairs he will go to Bismarck
and will take formal possession of the office
OF governor He will dwell permanently at
Bismarck unles the authorities at Washing
ton take some steps to settle the capitol
question. James H. Teller, secretary of the
treasury, has appealed to Controller Law
renee as to where the public moneys shall be
expended. Mr.. Lawrence has promised to
decide this question Immediately. Should
the decision be favorable to Yankton before
the completion Of the capitol building, Gov
Pierce would probably come here, but he
will locate at Bismarck unless otherwise
directed from Washington.
AN INITIATOAY SPEECH
Wnen Gov. Pierce, accompanied by his
daughter, arrived here last night, the Yank-
ton band serenaded the new executive and
seward Smith, the new Judge of the
Fifth district, ut the Merchants hotel
When called upon for speech, Gov
Pierce thanked two or three hundred citi-
zens for this unexpected reception@he
was not an entire stranger in Dakota as he
had heretofore visited central and northern
portions, but had never before been in Yank-
ton, with which place he was greatly pleased
ioucnlng upon the subject of the capitol
location contest Gov. Pierce said:
The duty of the executive is not to make the
law laws but to execute them: The only means he
has OF knowing the will of the people is by look
th,t ing at inc m measures which they have enacted
sentatiyes have been false to their consIitu-
ents. the remedy lies in Changing them
sbee sh men faithful to their oaths
&C. act reg regarding the seat Of government. What it
intended to do. what it meant to accomplish by
thls act, Is very plain What it actually did ac-
complish must be determined by future deyelop-
ments. This act repeals the law making Yank
ton the capital. 1t appointed a commission to
nx 1Isl upon permanent seat of government and
the territorial tt archives should remain at Yank-
ton until the goverdor should designate some
tSis 4ther ,al point by written order. Whether
me to say, but it is certainly as much part Of
the law as any other. The governor. in his dis
cretion, has acted upon this law and it is very
ssea fhst ordsr ds Sss ali navHs Ss
peaied The Saese ineoming sn'ls grove Te
woke or anull the order is probably true. The
question Is, should this be done. I am told that
the capital building will be complete
ed et In few weeks, and thcreupon
sne ,.- commissioners are sequired to
issue proclamation, and the offices shall then
be removed to that place. Now then the order Of
GOV. Ordway must be observed by the incoming
governor, or 1t must be revoked. 1t would be
something even more than q
DISREGARD OF PRECEDENT
md courtesy to ignore this order formally au-
thorized as it was by the legislature Now, shall
revoke 1t? Would such an act contribute to
the dignity and tranquility of the territory?
Would not a proclamation revoking the order
within fortnight the governor may be called
upon to issue proclamation enforcing it? lam
asking the question not because I have COM
pletely settled the matter in my own mind, for
put l suggest some of the difficulties
nave encountered in considering this
question. In few months the legislature
will assemble and the people will have an op-
portun1ty TO make their wishes known in this
matter. Whatever action may be taken will be
but temporary and ephemeral at best. In view
OF this fact what Imay do seems of slight import
ance and trif1ing Of significance. have not dis
cussed the legal proceedings which are pending
because must act solely on what find before
she legislature or the courts decide it as
tormal1ty The legislature meant to transfer
the capital. OF that there is no question.
Recognizing the fact that it Is the duty Of the
executive to carry out the intent and meaning
OF the peoples representatives as thoroughly
and complete as possible. still wish it under
stood that have no plans to push or theories to
ADVANCE against any competent authority which
may direct me to modify or retract my action
am the subject Of the law. Let the law and
the people who make the law express clearly
what they require me to do, and shall cheer
FULLY obey.