The Dickinson press., 1885-01-24

Of any enactments at war with republican
government or Offensive to an enlightened
from such blemishes, and exists and Is In
force by the approval Of congress. It does
not come from lack of educational privileges;
for ehe territory stands in advance of TWEEN
ty-ive of the states in the amount it has
contributed in the last year for public schools.
What, then, is our disqualification? 1t can
not be that suffrage Is to be considered q
privilege of longitude, and yet wherein do
we show n lack except a geographical
shortcoming?
tories should be admitted as states when
the population reached sixty thousand, and
might be admitted with less; and although
Dakota is not q part of the Northwest Terri
tory therein described, the congress has ap-
piled its wise and patriotic provisions to the
region afterward acquired. and has recog-
niZed the vast region which is now the West
as coming under that salutary and ene6cent
enactment We ave six times the popula-
ton therein named as o maximum number
sand schools, and a half dozen higher insti-
buttons of learning. We have permanent
and costly structures erected for benevolent
and penal purposes. and all built by the
territory without the aid of the gen.
eIal government It is the policy OF
NV J." OAS0uAaSO NAc
settlement and development of the national
domain. Generous laws have been enacted
and many inducements given to open this
wide region to civilization. l submit that
this liberality of the general government in
granting free homes ought not to be defeated
by an illiberal exclusion Of those privileges
OF self-government. which, like many others.
grow dearer when they are denied. 1t Is not
wise to look upon admission as the ultima
thule-the open gateway to everything desir-
ah1n Wo aro Ii lln RI ~ mi thn o3Hrorfo~ao
of admission as we'll as the disadvantages of
exclusion. The machinery OF q state govern
ment is expensive, and for this reason the
sentiment that a territory should be fully
prepared for statehood before admission, is
one to be commended. The territorial tax OF
Dakota is light. and its general expenses do
not approach those of neighboring states Of
about the same or smaller population. For
the two years ending Nov. 80, 1884, the ex-
penditures of the territory We're but $685.
went toward the erection of public buildings.
For the same period Colorado expended
81, 15S, $40. ID. Nevada expended during
1883, $571 ,931.S3, withno outlay for build
ings, and with a population of but g.: 900,
While New Hampshire spent $1.o16,-
lie improvements. The states Of
Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas far exceed
these amounts. showing that the inevitable
result of statehood is largely increased taxa
| G1O!l. 1ucIc dIc UcuellUS u DE uCElSGu from
admission. however, which should be also
considered. More speedy justice would be
secured in our courts, the present number Of
our judges being insufficient for the bust
ness before them. With votes in congress-,
some attention would be paid to improving
our water ways, SO necessary to the devel-
opment of the country. Ii precedent is fol-
lowed. Dakota would be entitled, on admis-
sion. to a percentage on the sale of public
lands within her borders which would largely
| in ONsC 20 q - Ayynvt,n n~, 49,, al ~
that the credit of the territory suffers be-
cause OF her exclusion from the Union.
Those who have negotiated our bonds an
nounce that such as have sold at par would
have readily commanded a premium had
Dakota been a state. But aside from the
financial advantages to accrue, there are the
accompanying rights of self-government,
dear to every community of American citi-
zens. Among these, the power to choose
their own rulers and to determine who shall
sentiment does not grow out Of any narrow
minded exclusiveness. 1t does not mean
that all are not welcome to Dakota, where
all are SO new and the field is so large,
but it is a part of that natural and
independent spirit which the fathers have
transmitted to us, and which can be easily
understood and appreciated by the country.
There are plenty Of people all over the land
who have witnessed the marvellous de-
velopment of this territory with pride and
uuIlIIdulOu,d anu WHOSE hearts DeaC quicker
at this grand illustration of the possibilities
OF a new state growing up nde he foster
ing care of the great republic. They are not
residents, but neither are they strangers to
you. They have appreciated your trials
and r~ejoiced in your successes. came to
you myself from another state, yet did l not
feelalien to this people,; and where disap-
pointment might have been natural, they
accepted cheerfully the action of the con-
stituted authorities and exhibited a laudable
desire to cooperate in whatever seemed
necessary to the furtherance of the public
interests. But the day of t~utelage is past.
l realize fully that the time has come when
the people of Dakota should speak, and act,
and decide for themselves; and l cannot
but believe that when the congress of the
United States fairly understand. as one who
resides here must understand, the justice of
needing the appeals OF this great territory,
a prompt, cordial and general recognition
will be extended to her. Till then it is our
part as good citizens to abide in peace and
patiently await the action of the govern
ment. | am sure. however, that the con-
gress wi. listen with that respectful con-
sideration which each member Of the
national body expects to receive for his
own people, to the candid representations OF
this legislative assembly, speaking by the
authority of the people of the territory and
asking justice at the hands of the Union they
honor and obey.
NECESSITY FOR ECONOMY.
Communities, like individuals, should re-
trench theil~ expenditure when their income
decreases. The times are hard, and it is
feared that the revenue for the present year
will be seriously reduced. Our public insti-
buttons must be fairly supported, of course,
and IT additions are found necessary provis.
ion must be made for them; but a considera-
ton Of the universal financial distress and
the Improbable returns which nave greeted
the toll of all classes for the past twelve
months viii show the necessity of cutting
down expenses to the owest practicable
point, and should make us hesitate about
undertaking expensive measures which it
will be difficult to meet.
CONCLUSION.
1need scarcely remind the legislature that
we are at a critical period when harmonious
dignitied and we'll considered legislation will
do much to advance the interests of the ter
ritory. You are, IN the main, of one politt-
cal faith. 1t is meet that you should be one
i'll the important work before you, also. The
unfortunate dlsagreements Of the past nave
injured the territory seriously. No member
of the Legislature can fail to realize this.
Our quarrels, whether of the town, the
county or the territory, seem TO be taken up
and magnitied a hundred fold all over the
land. l ask the members to use all possible
forbearance i'll the proceedings of the session
now begun to the end that the whole people
may be benefited and the whole territory
exalted. You compose. probably, the last
territorial legislature which will assemble in
believe you will adjourn, conscious of work
well done, and with the thanks and plaudits
OF your constituents. GILBERT A. PIERCE.
Wood Instead of Water.
Clev Gland Herald.
Various attempts have been made
from time to time to obtain supplies of