Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-02-15
TWO TERRITORIES.

Argunenss for and Against tho Admission
of Dakota aud M.,ntans.
Washington, Feb. l2-rhe house com.
nittee on territories to-day listened to
Arguments for and against the bill pro-
siding for constitutional convention IN
Dakota. The bill is be. ter understood
ls the Ordway bill, aud provides for
constitutional convention for the whole
erritory. and submits to the convention
he question Of whether the territory
hall come 10 as one or two states, Pat
Jouan CT Fargo. Mr.. F.aunery of Bis
narck. w A. Bnrleigh OF Miles City
Mont, AID Gov. Ord~uy spoke III favor
Il the bill, aud Judge W. W. Brooklugs,
Il Sioux Falls, aud Bartlett Trlpp, of
YaDkton, against it. The advocates OF
The bill claimed that in the event of con
Sress failing to admit Dakota this year
The holdIug ola convention would be
'ne step III the direction of statehood.
,nd that the people of Dakota ought
10 determine themselves whether tie,
,bould be admitted into the
inion as one or two states. The op.
,,onents OF the measure argued that there
was no need Of submitting the question
i division to the people. That question
.ad hardly been practically settled iu
he territory. Every legislature thai has
yer met III Dakota has declared III favor
Il dlvlsiou aud memorable d cougr So t,
he same effect. Every republican OF
iemccratic platform in the territory coD
aimed plank IN favor OF division. A
constitutional convention bad alread,
.een held. A constitution was framed
nd submitted to the people aud carried
" u large majority. This .eunstitntlol
provided tor division aud the admission
Il southern Dakota. Even those who
nave advocated adm ssiou of the Who'll.
erritnry tw" years ago favored division
All legislation OF the terrltor,
contemplated division. The peui
ieDtiurlee, two universities, tive
.usane asylums, two norma
schools, one of each for north and one
ior south Dakota. had been established
The committee have not considered The
oil. but will take it up very soon. The
opposition IL very strong, aud will prob
abty succeed iu defeating the bill. Del
gate Ray ymoud said to day that he
scarcely expected any ythlug would bs
lone on this subject this session. h.
understood that number Of democratl,
members bad said they would vote fol
nvlsiun. but nevertheless, iu his opinion
nothing would be done IN regard to it
Those favorlug division are, however
very hopeful, and declare that they Will
succeed i'll carrying it through tins ses
| slOn.
Tue political complexion of congress
is such that it is not likely that eithe
Dakota or Montana will be admitted
separately into tue union this session
The democratic house will undoubtedly
eudeavor to pass q blll to admit Mohtana
ont the republicans will oppose it for til,
same political reason that the democrat,
refuse to admit Dakota. aud the bill If i
tail in the house. will fail 10 the senate
Since the adoption of the state constitu
tlon BY Montana clamor Is being n ad
tor its ratification by congress, aud th
frle0ds Of admission are urging tn,
claims of the territory. Delegate Magin
us Of Montana has bill providing 10
the admission OF both Dakota and Mon
taua vt the same time. This would neu
tralize the political effect of the admis
sion of .lther QUE OF them, and mlgh
pass this session. The passage OF NJ,
MaRinnis' bill will, however, d-pen
upon the ressult Of the quarrel III Dak,
ta over division. This may be carrie.
30 far as to defeat the admission of IN
part of Dakota and of the bill to adm
both territories at the same time.