Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-01-14
pEI1lGREw INTERVIEWED.
A Brief Talk About Dakota Lexfsla.
tive Matters.

A Brief Talk About Dakota Lexisla.
tive Matters.
st. Paul Pioneer-Press.
Hon. r. r. Pettigrew, of Sioux Falls,
delegate-elect of the territorial council
which eonvenes at Bismarck on the 18th
inst. is at the Merchants. Talking with
q Pioneer Press reporter last night he
said: "In regard to the coming legisla-
tive session, no legislation Of ex.
traordinary importance is likely to come
up. The farmers will probably make An
attempt to secure the passage of bill
governing the buying of grain, the con-
duct of elevators and railroad transporta.
ton; but personally I do not believe
these matters can be satisfactorily regu-
lated by legielation. In the buying OF
grain, the railroads will say to the
farmers, "Why, certainly, establish your
own warehouses and buy the grain" but
it the farmers attempt it the elevator
monopoly will at once begiu to pay from
two to three cents more for grain than
the farmers firm can afford to pay, max.
ing up the difference easily in their
purchases at stations where they have
no opposition. Legislation cannot
correct this practice. The only
remedy is for the farmers to join at eli
stations and take the matter in their
own hands. Some in Dakota favor the
Illinois law in regard to wheat grading
and transportation; other prefer the
Iowa luw. 1t is hard to tell Just what
will be done. do not consider that the
Illinois law is entirely applicable to Da-
kota. 1t is probable that something will
be done to amend the law relating to
the taxation. of railroads go that the,
roads may be forced to pay greater
share of the tax now LEVIED. As to politi-
cal legislation, it is probable that an
effort will be made to provide for the
calling OF q constitutional convention
for south Dakota, the idea being to elect
officers and set up state government
as was done in Michigan-paying no at.
tention to the authority Of the terri
torial officers. But such movement,
do not believe, will succeed; at any rate
I shall oppose it. The people of south.
ern Dakota are pretty generally disposed
to consent to the capital remaining at
Bismarck; this, of course, with the un-
derstanding that the territory will be
divided, when the southern half will
have the power to choose its own
capital.
"The capital matter will probably be
allowed to rest, unless the people of Bis
marck and If north Dakota make an un.
due effort to oppose the division of the
territory. If they should do this, the
capital will be removed from Bismarck
at once by the legislature. would not
consent to allow it to remain at Bis
marck for one hour under such circum-
stances. TIE people of south Dakota
do not want it 20 be admitted as whole
but want q division of the territory. If
north Dakota does not oppose US We
shall make no objection to the capital
remaining at Bismarck. But am Ger.
tain there is no chance for admission al
this session OF congress. Next year
however, when Cleveland will have the
distribution of patronage, think we
will be admitted without any more
trouble. Are the people Of Da.
kota indignant at Vest because
of his opposition? Oh, no;
they rather pity him in his display oi
ignorance. I know Vest, and he is not
honest or sincere in this matter. But il
is fitting that such shiftless vagabond
as Vest-coming from such state as
Missouri, all plastered over with repudi
alton, and eager to erect a monument to
the James boys-should lead the oppo-
aition. Am a candidate for president
OF the council? am not, and would
not accept if elected. There is nothing
to be gained by being chosen to preside
over twenty. -four men,"
Mr.. Pettlgrew 10 confident that the
old Sioux and Winnebago reservation
near Pierre, will be thrown open tc
settlement before the end of President
Arthur's term. Secretary Teller favor
this course, and there is no reason t.