Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-08-20
BOWEN s. KlNGsBURY. propts.

Publication IL made OF the official or
der calling together the militia of Da.
kota in annual encampment at Fargo
on September 22d, 23d, Oath and 25th.
This selection is matter of profound
surprise, in view Of the circumstances
connected with the case. The governor,
in the beginning, instructed General
Dennis, commander of the territorial
militia, and Adjutant General Free, of
the governors staff, to select suitable
place for the annual encampment.
Their orders were to take into consider
alton accessibility, expense and the con-
venienccs of the place for camp life and
drill. After inspecting various
proposed places Generals Dennis and
Free decided upon the banks of Lake
Kampeska. at Watertown. as the place
for the annual encampment, and re-.
ported their decision to Governor Pierce.
They selected Lake Kampeska because
1T was the most convenient and the
cheapest rallying point for the militia
and because it afforded natural facili.
ties not possessed by any other point.
That the governor intended in the be.
ginning to leave the selection entirely
to the officers named is indicated by the
following letter written by him to the
mayor of Fargo:
In reply to yours of this day have
to soy that some time ago gave in
structions to Gen. Free to select place
for the annual encampment, having re-
gard to the cost OF transportation, con.
venience of access, etc., etc., and am
disposed to leave the matter in gen
eral way to bis decision. 1 presume the
| offer OF Fargo is being con.
sldered. and will be taken
| under advisement free from any preju
dice. In letter received from Gen
Free yesterday he informs me that he il
waiting the action of Watertown, ant
will write me Immediately on hearing
from there. Personally would like tc
have Fargo selected, but We must tax.
into account the distance to be travelled
the fact that your city Is on the outel
circle OF towns having military organi
cations, and particularly the cost oi
transportation and subsistence, our fund
being 90 limited that we are compelled
to be particularly careful about the ex
pense incurred.
In spite of his orders relative to the
selection of place for the enoampmen1
and in the face Of the foregoing persona
expression to the mayor of Fargo, the
governor has quietly ignored thu
act of Generals Dennis and Free, ani
without any further consultation with
them, has peremptorily ordered th.
militia to assemble at Fargo. He evi
IDENTIFY consulted his personal preference
without regard to the other considera
tions mentioned in his letter to thu
mayor of Fargo. The militia organlzs
tion OF Dakota consists of twenty com
panies. Fifteen of these companle
are located south of tn,
forty.sixth parallel and five of then
north OF that line Under the order o.
the governor the fifteen companies mus
go to the place most convenient to th,
five. Lake Kampeska affords admirabl
camping facilities. while Fargo possesse
none of the attractions or convenience
for making desirable week of out doc
life. Governor Pierce's tendency
favor the north has led him into man,
serious blunders, of which this is no
the least.