The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-12-19
DAKoraSkf& t4NATE
esnator Harrison Make 3 a Strong Speech
in Support OF the Admission Bill.

in Support Of the Admission Bill.
Washington Special 9th.-Dakota is once
more a theme of debate. The senate, on John
sherman's motion, took up the bill for the di-
vision of Dakota on the forty sixth parallel,
and admission of the southern half, q measure
prepared by Senator Harrison, chairman of
the committee. Senator Shcrman's motion was
Senator Harrison, as the father of the bill,
opened the debate, The bill appears to havo
even chances of passing the senate, but cold
death awaits it in the house.
Mr.. Harrison said the movement for the
admission of n new state had originated
where Il movements ought to originate
with the people of the territory. A discus
sion of its admission to the Union could. of
course, assume the shape of party discussion,
but that was a shape unworthy of SO impor-
tant aquestion. To consider the application
of people for admission to the Union from
the point of view of its relation to the for
tunes of a political party was to consider it
from a level far below thatof craftsmanship.
He believed the feeling in the territory was
almost unanimously in favor of the division
and equally unanimous that the admission
OF the whole territory as n single
state would not be acceptable. Judged by
population and producing capacity, Dakota
was entitled to admission. In 1870 the i'm
proved lands and farms in the territory com
prised 42,645 acres; in 1850, 1,15O,4l3
acres. The number of farms in the territory
In 1870 was 1,270: in 1850, l7.I39. The
value of those of 1880 was 500, 400, 900,
and the total value of the agricultural pro-
ducts of that year $15, 524. 900. This was
q greater valuation than could be stated OF
several states. Az to capacity to bear the
expenses OF state government, the territory
was already defraying nearly all those ex-
penses in the territorial form of government
With regard to the question
HOW MUCH POPULATION
should entitle n territory to admission as a
state, there had been no rule established by
congress 1t had been suggested that popu-
1ation should be required at least equal to
the unit of representation the lower house
of congress, which ut this time would be a
little over 100000 persons. Few of the
states, however, had had population enough
at the time of their admission to bring them
within that rule. No state, since the admis-
sion Of Missouri in 1921, had population
sufficient to entitle it to one representative
in congress 1t was therefore a matter for
the discretion of congress, but even on the
basis requiring such population, he believed
that with the naturally rapid increase OF
population of the territory, the portion pro-
posed to be admitted would, in a census
taken at this time, show enough population
TO entlJle 1t to two representatives. Taking
up the question of ratio of voters to Dopula-
ton aud the bearing of that question upon
the admission of Dakota, Harrison stated the
vote of Dakota in 1880 Of 2S,42G, while in
1884 it was $1,000; increase, 81, 574 voters
in four years. OF the SO, ZOO votes nearly
two-thirds had been cast in Southern Da-
kota, the portion seeking admission to the
Union. Estimating only four inhabitants to
q voter, Southern Dakota would now have a
population of 100000. In 1850 it had a
population of 1875, III, or a proportion of
4S2 inhabitants to a voter. If it were OBJ
jected that the proportion allowed was toe
large, he would look at
soME OTHER STATES.
The proportion of voters to inhabitants in
Florida in 1880 was one voter for every 5.2c
inhabitants, Georgia one in 1927, Niississippi
one in nearly 10, Louisiana one in 9.67, Ala,
bama one in SAG, Missouri one in 5.45, The
average of those six states gave one in Il little
more than eight inhabitants to each voter
Mr.. Harrison criticised the report of the mi
nority of the committee on territories repre-
sentcd by Vest, which strongly opposes thu
admission of the territory, and which de
clares, if the statements of the advocates O
admission are true, the proposed state il
already an Elysiuln, and its people enjoying
every blessing OF religion, education ant
prosperity. Harrison thought thisn no answer
to the demand Of the large, active and pro
gressiye population when they claimed thu
right to elect their own governor, and tax,
part in making laws by which congress pro
vides for their government