Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-05-14

-Four men are to be chosen next month
by the people to represent Yankton
county in the constitutional convention
at Sioux Falls next September. This is
the number apportioned by the legiela-
ture IS our share in that important
gathering. These four representatives
are to be selected, We presume. without
regard to party, IS the movement is and
should be entirely non.partisan. The
convention, therefore, which places the
candidates in nomination must be open
to the representatives of both parties
and this will necessitate the substitution
Of mass convention for the usual dele.
gate convention. as it will hardly be
practicable to go through with the move.
ments of caucus preliminaries in the va
rious voting precincts, under the politi-
caltcombination rendered imperative in
this case. Our county. one of the oldest
in the territory and long the recognized:
center of the statehood movement,
should be represented at Sioux Falls by
men of ability, probity and strict Impair
tiality. Men renowned chiefly for their
skill in political trickery are
not needed, because this is
to be gathering devoid of all political
features. Neither do We want men
whose chief aim will be the construc-
tion of superstructure upon which to
build for the accomplishment of their
own personal and selfish ambitions
Men who will 60 to Sioux Falls with the
good of the future state and of the peo.
pie who are to inhabit it uppermost in
their minds. and who will faithfully and
eonscientiously pursue the course mark.
ed out bv their convictions, are the kind
the situation calls for. It is charged
against this statehood movement that II
was designed purely for the advance
ment of the politician, and it is further
charged that Yankton is in the fore
front of an alleged scheme to give its
aspiring geniuses lift. This is there.
fore the proper place to demonstrate the
tallscy of an allegation based more upon
fancy than fact by selecting statesmen
instead of political sharps, as our repre-.
sentatives in the convention.
There will be no occasion for an ex.
tended session at Sioux Falls. The con.
vention of two years ago produced 9
constitution which can be made the basis
OF the labors of the coming gathering
1t contains some features Objectionable
to the masses, but these can be elimln.
ated by the honest work of honest men
and corrections substituted which will
render Dakota's constitution perfect III
all its features. The old constitution
was printed and widely circulated, and
was read in every community. Ob]ec.
tions which stand against 1t are known
to those who will represent the people
in the new convention, and they can be
intelligently discussed and acted upon
in brief period Of time.
The last legislature of Dakota declared
unanimously for division, and the admls
sion of the southern half. Other legisla
lures have emphasized the common sen.
timent through like action. Almos
every convention held during the past
five years has voiced the same de
mand. Out of this there is but one con
clusion-that Dakota is desirous of di
viding itself and entering the union q
two states. The Sioux Falls convention
will be a practical move toward the &C
complishment of popular desire. IT
importance should not be overlooked.