Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1885-09-11

THE SIOUX FILLS CONTENTION.
! Details of the First Days Proceeding
Judge Edgerton's Speech.
The convention assembled in Germania
hall, at 1920 p. NJ, and was called to order
by Territorial Secretary Teller, who ad-
administered the oath. Sixty-eight dele
gates out of the Ill provided for by the 4
original bill, responded. Judge Edgerton,
of Yankton, was elected president by ac-
clamation. He delivered short speech,
thanking the convention for the honor. ex-
patiating on the Importance Of the work
before them, the population Of the terri
tory, etc. John Cain, of Huron, was then
elected secretary. II. NJ. Avery, of Sioux
Falls, assistant secretary, and NJ. B. Kent,
of Elk Point, sergeant-at-arms. At this
point, Henry Neill, of Grant county, intro
duced the following preamble and reso-
luton: @
Whereas, the Sixteenth legislative assem-
bly, of the territory of Dakota, assumed the
right to authorize the calling of a constitu-
tional convention for that portion Of the
movement which ought to have its power
from the people themselves of that power
of the territory affected thereby, and,
Whereas. it is not the desire of the people
of this territory that the same should be di-
vided and said southern portion admitted
separately into statehood, but they desire
admission as whole, therefore, be it
Resolved, That this convention do now
adjourn sine die.
The motion to adopt it was seconded and
voted down on roll call by vote of So to
IL, the twelve being Andrews, of Hamlin;
Crammer, of Edmunds; Dow, Mason, Nc
Leod and Leybourne, of Brown; Ga,lt, of
Mcpherson; Lowthner and Neill, Of Grant;
Potter, Of Walworth; Fousley, of Lincoln;
Westfall, of Coddington. These delegates
claimed that their constituents were strong
ly opposed to the division of the territory as
proposed.
The making up of the committees occu-
pies much attention of the president, and the
committee on name, boundaries and seat of
government causes much trouble, owing to
the fact that Pierre, Huron, Redfeld, Cham
berlain, Mitchell, Watertown and YanktOn
are anxious for capital honors. Eighty
two delegates put in an appearance before
the close Of the days proceedings.
JUDGE EDGERToN's SPEECH.
The following is Judge Edgerton's
speech upon being elected president of the
Sioux Falls convention:
"Gentlemen-I return to you my sincere
thanks for this expression of your conf
dence. We have met here under peculiar
circumstances. Congress has passed no
enabling act The legislature Of this terri
tory last winter authorized the election of
delegates from Southern Dakota to meet
for the purpose of forming a constitution,
republican in form, and performing all
other things essential to the preparation of
| fhA tarrjtnrv far n qlyinO 1iea tion fn 10
general government for the admission of
such part Of Dakota into the union of
Estates.
The whole territory has about 10000
square miles, and, if divided Oh the proposed
line, each portion will have 1900 square
miles or thereabouts.
Our growth has been phenominal i'll pro-
, ducts. wealth and population. The num-
Der Of inhabitants of the, territory is 49,
664, as ascertained by the recent census
South Dakota 2es,4S5. This portion of Da-
kOta has today, greater population than
any territory ever admitted into the union.
1t has greater wealth, and pays more an
! nual taxes. 1t has more organized and
equipped public institutions than any terri
government Under such circumstances it
IS not remarkable that the people
should desire admission. Our duty here,
under the circumstances. may be a del
icate one, but it is, nevertheless plain
one, but requiring knowledge, Judgment
deliberations should as do not doubt they
will, be characterized by the utmost prl-
dence and discretion. 1t is said by some
that our acts will be useless, from the fact
that our enemies will never consent to d-
vision and admission The men who thus
prophecy must cruelty judge the foremost
| statesmen of the nation. I have that con-
fidence in the patriotism, the justice, and
the sound Judgment which have generally
characterized the public acts of those lead
ers, which induce me to believe that they
; will act wisely when this question is fully
presented. that whatever may be the deter
minatiOn of the president and the congress
of the United. States, whether in accord
wishes wis soe+ Of ;a+oras9s our people lie and and
acquiesce obediently, although the decision
be against us, but relunctantly. Let us bring
to the discharge of our duties here all the
!; light which experience can furnish us, and
all the Judgment and wisdom which nature
and education have endowed us with. Pos
sibly in the future, when this common
wealth has grown to be one of the leading
states of the union, standing abreast with
her sister states in the east and south, 1t
may not be said of us, as it is frequently of
the trainers of other constitutions, that they
builded better than they knew, but it is suf-
ficient to fill the measure Of good mans
ambition to feel assured that those who
come after shall be able to say they builded
as we'll as they knew how.
YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Sioux FALLS, OAK, September 10.-The
constitutional convention met at 10 o'clock
this morning and the president announced
special committee to consider the sub
ject of prohibition. The total members of
the convention now number ninety. The
motion prevailed to have daily journal of
the proceedings published. A resolution
was also adopted that the standing COM
mittee proceed at once to the work assigned
them. The president was also instructed
to appoint a committee on impeachment
and removal of officers. At noon the con-
vention adjourned.
Catarrh cured health and sweet breath
secured, by ShilOh's catarrh remedy. Price
fifty cents. Nasal injector Free For sale
by Parker & Parks, Bismarck. @
The Sullivan-Ryan contest will certainly
take place. Sullivan has pledged himself.