Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-17

The Rights and Wrongs Of the Qucs.
ton.

The Rights and Wrongs Of the Ques.
ton.
WHAT THE pAkoTAIANs wAST-wRr THEY SHOULD
HAVE 1.-THE COUNTY STAT DISTURBANCES YER
sUs ADNIssIoN-PARrrsAN coNsIpgRA rroNs-ls n
PoLrTIc FOR THE DEMOCRATS 10 orposE ApxIs-
SION?
Reports of county seat disturbances in Dakota,
and discussion OF tire bill before Congress to admit
the south half OF the territory as state have for
time, kept Dakota affairs prominently before the
public. In the course OF conversation with a
south Dakotaian, lawyer from the promising little
city OF Sioux Falls, STAR representative asked !:
scan you expect admission as a state until you
stop wrangiing and lighting In Dakota ~
81 suppose" was the reply, "that you refer 10 the
county seat disturbances You accept a few angry
men as representing half a million Dakotsians But
even these angry and excited men have done no
nghting have shed no blood As law-abiding citi-
zens they have restrained themselves and await a
settlement or Their disputes oy the courts Now,
states, NOTABLY in Missouri, lives have been lost.
Within a few days West Virginia has had contest
over local office, but he disputants, less self
controlled Il an the Dakotaians, resOred 20 blows
instead or TO the courts Up TO this time the Da-
kota disturbances have borne positive affirmative
testimony TO the law-abiding disposition OF the
people Of the territory by showing that even its
mobs are iorbear1ng and capable or self-control.
But suppose there had been fighting. II threats OF
OF DN traction or Clti
zens. promptly suppressed. can prove state in
capable OF seif-euyernment. what is to become OF
Missouri and West Virginia? What state in the
Union can escape the reproach?n
u see that a correspondent OF the New York
World argues that you are UNIT for self-govern-
ment."
"Yes, chat paper had recently column article,
UNJUST IN some or Its personalities, which urged
against admission tie fact that frequently inefri-
cleAL ana sometimes corrupt men have been sent
10y the general government 10 administer the af-
fairs OF The territories, as If that fact had ten
dency 10 show an incapacity for sen-government
on the part OF the afflicted territories Is t logical
TO parade as proof or incapacity for sef-govern-
ment the evils OF system under which self-gov-
ernment Is denied? III South Dakota has been made
political hospital the remedy Is to Close the hos
pltal, not 10 change the inmates
Nv mar viii the territory do II snubbed by the
House this wInter?"
do: What is there of consequence that the ter
rltoIy can do: set up state government and have
as proof OF uniltness for sef-government and an
argument against admission? IL IS likely however
That the territorial legislature, which is In
sion, VIII send memorial to Congress- which will.
at least, silence the suggestion that there is any
diversity or opinion between the sections in respect
10 division and admission. A census may also be
authorized 10 show the absurdity OF the insnuaton
InaL the population Is insufficient TO Justify adms-
son. The people may also amuSe themselves by
houluS constitutional conventions In the two sec
tons, and framing state constitutions for future
use But nothing that they do Will amount to
much II the democrats harden themselves by
party considerations TO resist Dakotas binding
Claims"
.low are Dakota's claims bindinge Isn't the
Whole matter in the discretion OF Congress-"
Ihe government is pledged TO Incorporate the
Inhabitants OF Dakota into the Union and to admit
lueln 10 ali the right OF citizens
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
under the Constitution This pledge is found In the
treaty with France by which the soil Of Dakota was
coded to the United States 1t was viewed by John
Adams as binding and imperative and compelled
hlS assent TO the admission of Arkansas as a new
slave state In full reliance upon this pledge the
inhabitants Of South Dakota have aided wealth
ana strength 10 the Union by establishing under
national jurisdiction hourlShing and powerful
community, and they now ask that this pledge be
1ulnlled.
''Look at the matter from another point OF view.
1t has been held by the supreme Court that the
United States cdnGOs under The Constitution hold
colonies or any territory outside the states 10 be
ruled at pleasure: that, however, under q broad
construction OF the power 10 admit new states ter
fltory may be acquired, not ut for admission at
me time, Out TO be admitted as It's popula-
Uon ana situation entitle il TO admission To
loid sucn territory as colony alter its population
ana situation enttle it to admission is, therefore.
not only III violation of a national pledge but in
Violation OF the Constitution"
do you claim that Dahota'S situation and popu-
laIion entltle her 10 admission as a right?"
YES. DO In respect 10 population there is hard
~ room lOr dispute. The number OF persons repre-
Sented by each member ofthe Houseis about ISL 200
The very lowest figuring cannot br1ny South pa
kOtaS population below 100000, ana reasonable
estimate places the number at more than 800 600
The estimates are Ell on the number oil voters,
the population OF the territory shown by the Gen.
SuS OF 1880 This population is intelligent, indus
trtOuS capable OF seII-goyernment."
But may not the population, II slficient now
decrease? Hasn't the government gone too fast IN
admitting new states? Nevada, FOR instance"
'1nere IS no similarity between the Two cases
Ii Is practically impossible that South Dakola's
population sholld decrease. This is not Nevada.
series OF mining camps 10 be deserted with the
exhaustion of rs mines Though il counts the
mineral wealth OF the Black Hills among its re-
sources Dakota IS diSlncty an agricultural country.
cGmnHni lS IKE that which peoples iowa. upon
proposed state-the south half or the territory
mas as many voters as the entire population OF Ne
Vada, and the number increases between 30 and 40
per cent every year. With its wealth of resources
IN varied agriculture. stock raising and mining as
Indicated by the census statistics and by its won
derful exhibit at New Orleans south Dakota prom
Uses 10 oe one OF the most productive populous
and nourishing or the western states"
why should the territory be divided"
"Why shouldn't the territory be divided Near
~ al the western states have been from larger
territories often OF the same name, with no especial
conflict between the part taken and the part left
In this case ample area Tor state Is proposed and
nine-tenthS OF the people in both sections desire
separation. The new State would moi arouse zeal
ouseS by being either too large or too small IL is
larger tllan Iowa and not SO large as Nebraska or
Minnesota. There happen TO be- reasons which. in
lnaccessibillty OF the north and south SETTLE
mentS OF Dakota 10 each other has
caused many OF the public buildings to be con-
slructed IN duplicate In case or separation each
section Will be equipped. The dominant class in
the two sections Is different The farms OF the pro-
posed state are held by numerous small ow ners,and
only Few miles OF its railroads have land grant
North Dakota is traversed by the Northern Pacific
with its immense grant, and its lands are largely
helu by farmers or vast tracts, who employ (and
Yot21 small armies or laborerS But II these dis
functions were fanciTul IL would make no differ
ence- AS The people desire separation, and as q
suinc1ent rea,wth suf1icient population, will be
found within the boundaries OF The proposed state
the requirements OF the treaty OF cesSon and or the
decisions constituting the Constitution are met and
II remains TOR some one TO show good reason Why
the territory should not be divided"
THE SUPPOSED PARTY ADVANTAGE
"Are there any objections to admission In acdi-
ton to those already Suggested?"
"There is of course the supposed party advant-
ages. But 1t is possible that denial by the demo-
Gratis may prove as lmpoitic as II Will be unjust
Admission Will not change the political complexion
or either the Senate or the House. IL has
been suggested, however, that IL adm!s-
SION be POSTPONED, under democratic ad-
ton OF patronage, the politics OF territorial
Dakota may be reversed. Those who know now
keenly the Dakotaans, feeling themselves able and
entitled TO govern themselves, Resent the medding
OF the outsiders sent with commissions from WASH
ington 10 rule over them Will not expect great re-
suits from missionary iabors OF the kind
until after the next presidential election.
w Ill IL not DE wise TO make Writ OF necessity
ana admit the new state with good grace? The
goodwill OF the Dakotaians may not prove value
less. new democratic party is springing up in
the northwest. II is gaining strength In Wlscor-
sin, Michigan and Iowa. On the tarir issue the
national democratic party must rely largely upon
that section for its support. South Dakota like IT'S
nelghbors with freetrade leanings, will be field OF