The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1885-01-01


ment, and free advertising is given the
territory if nothing more.
The division and admission bill that
passed the senate few weeks ago is the
bill introduced at the last session. 1t is
substitute of the bill for the ratification of
the constitutional convention, and pro
vides for other conventions in place of the
Sioux Falls gathering. After passing the
senate the bill went to the house, where
the southern crowd have the drop on us
and propose to hold their game. Indeed
some are brazen enough to declare they
will listen to absolutely nothing from Da-
kota, even had the territory million in
habitants The bill, which is in the hands
of the committee on territories, will prob
ably be given but little attention. The
committee, which by the way is democrat
ic, may very easily ask to have day for
the special consideration of the Dakota
bill. and the movement for state govern
ment might be started within six hours.
Congressman Cliner, from Indiana, felt
disposed to favor Dakota, and is adverse
to party rule blindness in keeping her out.
Rankin of Wisconsin is also inclined to
favor the bill, but would submit to major
ity rule in caucus. Hancock, repre-
sentative from Texas, says he will oppose
anything and everything tending to devcl-
op Dakota, ana great many others teel
the same way There is no possibility OF
the bill being reached in regular order.
and no probability that the committee will
ask to have the same considered. When
this man Vest clustered the charges about
Dakota not wanting division, Delegate
Clifford, who was in an ante-room OF the
senate chamber, sent in word for Senator
Harrison to come to see him at once. On
behalf of Dakota Judge Clifford made the
proposition that the division of the terri
tory should be made only by the advice OF
a majority vote of her people, this vote to
be taken before the adoption of a consti-
tuition for South Dakota Mr. Harrison
answered fairly and frankly every lying
statement of Vest, disclosing absolutely
the aniI1us of his false assertions, and
presented proposition that the people of
Dakota be given an opportunity to vote Oh
the division matter As was expected
when Vest was cornered, his indubitable
gall arose, and he stated that under no
circumstances whatever would he accept
any proposition, or in anywise favor any
Dakota matter. He desired to 60 on rec
ord as opposing anything and everything
of interest to the half million people of
this territory.
In the house the reservation bill has
not been considered political question,
and with the proper efforts by Delegate
Raymond the bill may pass. There are
some minor differences between the senate
and the house on the bill, which will be
corrected by joint conference, and the
measure will then be reported favorably
by the committee.
Delegate Raymond arrived at Washing
ton on the 10th inst. after the admission
bill had passed the senate. Judge Gif-
ford, who arrived there on the 9th, talked
with great many congressman in regard
to their action on the admission bill, and
found an entirely divided condition of pub
lie sentiment in the ranks of the democra-
cy. Nearly every northern democrat
! would support the bill if not in fear Of be-
ing ignored by the administration after
the fourth of next March, but under the
circumstances the south holds the gad
| over their northere allies. Being in a con-
dition to impose upon the people and sub
vert the laws governing admission with
out fear of criminal punishment, they are
pulling that string for all there is in it.
Will the people of the east continue to
uphold and encourage an element So de-
cidedly antagonistic to the interests of the
northwest? Ifso, they are as dangerous
an enemy to Dakota as is the south, and
in business interests should be treated as
a common enemy The business men Of
Pierre have refused to trade with Mis-
souri, jobbers, and as long as the jobbinE
element continues to uphold this crowd
who are participating in this unjust i'm
position upon Dakota, they should be
treated with that contempt they are allot-
ting us.
Comparisons on population and educa-
tional matters have proven not only the
entire inconsistency of keeping Dakota
out, but disclosed the rank anarchial in
justice imposed. Now we find finan-
cial comparison that places in conspicuous
inferiority the great states of Arkansas,
Mississippi and Alabama. Arkansas,
with ten congressman, has one national
bank; Dakota has thirty-six national
banks and not one congressman. Mis-
sissippi has four national banks to our
thirty-six, while Alabama has but ten.
These three great southern states having
twenty. six representatives in the house,
six United States senators and twenty-siS
electoral votes, have smaller surplus by
$50, 900 than have the national banks o1
Dakota, while on the matter of dividends
this territory about doubles the total o.
the same trio. Here is territory thai
has been developing six years, pitted II
financial development against an elemen
SO potential in its power allotted that i
furnished one e-eight of the entire electora
, vote of the last successful candidate
And that section has had seventy-fiy'
years of time in which to surpass this on
: territory. In the face Of the indubitabl'
:, superiority in every feature of develop
ment, is there sane, fair minded man OF
earth who can oppose the admission o
Dakota.