St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-01
DIVISION OFDAKoTA.


some interesting figures which indicate that
If a full vote had been polled the constitu-
ton would have been rejected by the voters
of South Dakota, and if the question of
division had been submitted to the people
OF the entire territory it would have been
defeated by an immense vote. Leaving out
OF view all other questions in connection
with the admission or division of the terri
tory, it is well enough understood that con-
gress will take no steps looking to division
of Dakota without first submitting the
proposition to the entire vote of the terri
tory, and even then the expression in favor
of division must be so pronounced that
there can be no mistake about the will of
the people in the matter. Our Bismarck
correspondent writes as follows:
Editors and correspondents who are COM
mitted to the INSTRUMENTATION scheme, at
the head of which is HUGH J. CAMPBELL of
Louisiana fame, claim that the scheme has
been Endorsed by majority of the people Of
not remove the objection that the people Of
Northern Dakota have not been consulted on
the question of division, in which they have
southern section. But it is not true. Before
and since their election the divisionists have
conceded that those who refrained from vot-
ing should be counted as opposed to the Sioux
Falls constitution.
The Sioux Falls Press of the 22d inst. says:
''If every vote in the state (Southern Da-
kota) had been cast, the constitution would
still have majority of about two thousand"
The Press is mistaken in its estimate of the
total number of votes in the southern
counties. 1t places the total of votes
at $4,000, whereas those counties in
November Of last year polled 52,490 votes.
The census reports show that the population
south of the forty-sixth parallel June l
last was 263,642. On the basis of the estimate
made by Gov. PIERCE in his report for 1884,
which estimate was confirmed by the vote in
November of that year, there were 81, 1928
voters in the southern counties in June last.
Land-offce figures indicate an increase of
about 5000 in population from June to Nov.
!, and proportionately greater increase in
the three months preceding June l. [ esti-
mate, therefore, that the legal voters in those
counties on the LIST Of November numbered
not less than 1000, and that at the same
time the parts of Dickey, Sargent, Mcintosh
and Emmons counties which are south of
the forty-siXth parallel contained not less
than 200 voters. Let us review these figures.
The total vote of the territory in November.
1884, was 81, S16, the vote of Northern Dakota
being so, 1925 and that of Southern Dakota be-
ing 81, 400. The Democratic vote of Southern
Dakota was II, $50, and the r epublican vote
40,S40. The total vote on the constitution,
1885, was 81, 654, viz:
Against the constitution. ..... 6,522
Not Young. ....................2U ,S5b II'5oo
For the constitution. ..... 1872
Majority against constitution. 1925
This is upon the basis of the vote of 1884
and from these figures, which are official, it
appears:
First-That only 80 per cent. of the vote of
last year was cast.
Secondhand only little over At per cent.
of the vote Of last year was in favor of the
Sioux Falls constitution.
Third-that if the whole vote of Southern
Dakota had been cast, the Sioux Falls divis-
ion-admissfon scheme would have been
defeated without the participation of North
ern Dakota, which if right should have its
proportionate voice on the initial half of the
double question.
When the present voting strength south of
the forty-sixth parallel is presented, the fail
ure of the silence scheme is more apparent.
The vote of November, 1884, was.52,4sO
Increase to November, 1885. 1910
Votes north Of seventh parallel. 200 $4,000
Vote on the constitution, 1885,. 3D. 54
Against constitution. 6,522
Not voting. .a2, $40 90, O6s
For the constitution 25132
Majority against constitution. 1886
The significance Of the light vote on the
constitution is the stronger from the fact
that great efforts were made on behalf of the
rivals for the temporary capital location. and
that the Milwaukee s. St. Paul and Chicago &
Northwestern railway representatives in the
territory, as well as the controllers Of the
great Homestake Mining company, used their
influence to bring out full vote and to pro-
mote the division scheme. But, after
all, there are enough who favor division to
entitle the question to hearing and fair set
Element. That can best be brought about by
congress giving us an enabling act which
shall provide first for vote of all the people
of the territory on the question of division,
and which shall authorize the organization of
one or two state as the people of the territory
may decide. This plan is favored by the lead
ing Democrats of the territory, is consistent
with congressionalpreceden and will avoid
the objections which render the Sioux Falls
plan unworthy the consideration Of congress.