davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

The council OF five proposed in lieu Of
the state !eglsst BY Sioux Falls po
litical philosopher for the new constitu-
ton OF South Dakota, considering that
the convention which is to form the con
stltution IS ltselfa monstrosity in the way
Of attaining statehood, night be a. nearly
In harmony with that innovation in our
system of government as any otter ab
surdity that could be suggested. Its alb
surdity, however, would not likely be an
o. lection with a people who have made
themselves the butt of jokes and ridiculs
throughout the United States by their
preposterous and fanatlcal disregard OF
precedent in their efforts TO force them.
selves into the union AMI extort from the
federal government the privileges and
rights OF statehood, as WAS proposed a
ouple of years ag> by Campbell and his
followers in the self co astituted convcn
ton OF constitution makers that assem-
bled at Sioux Falls aycar ago lust Sep
temJcr but there is fatal objection 10
1t on another score, and that ,s, IL does
not provide Offices enough. There are
at least $4,000 embryonic statesmen in
tho territory south Of the 4e.h paral el
who nagine they see a future member
OF the state legislature every lime they
look into the glass and they would never
onscnt to have the chances for realizs
lion of thi, ambitious dream reduced to
one chance in 5000 and then only have
power to propose legislation.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

The legislature accepting passes from
railroad 0onpanles Is perhaps the most
senseless demsgoguery that ever sgitated
the political sentiment of the people any
where, and the member Of the legislature
or officer Of any other character VIII"
would refuse such compliment would
invite the more od,ous criticism OF telng
an lrreclalmable idiot A t.w years ago
the majority of the Illinois legislature
were elected on an anti-lailroad pass
platform and it was notorious that the
granger members Of that legislature did
more ''dead bead' travelling over the
railroads Of tho slate than any other
members ever known 10 ITS history before
or siote. A member Of the legislatur,
who would barter away the interests o,
his constituents to railroad company
would exact more than q "pass'' over the
rosu, and one who would not tetray his
would not be influenced in
his action or vote by such compliments
~ favor. There is absolutely nothi ,g IN
the periodical crusade made sgainst mem.
tiers accepting railroad passes. The main
question 10 the integrity Of the man and
that settled all is settled. A man whom
the people cannot trust with a railroad
pass in hls pocket should not be sent to
represent them 10 the legislature
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

ANOTHER argument sgaiDst statehood
for Dakota has been discovered. The
discovely was made by Minneapolis pa
per. The recent hanging BY mob at
Pierre Is the argument urged. 1t may
scea little strange that Minnesota pa.
per should offer such an argum :nt, but
strange things are occurring every day.
The Pierre mob cannot of course be jus.
titled by similar tragedies that have oc.
Cured in the state of Minnesota, because
two wrongs cannot make right; but ~
= matter Of courtesy and Consistency 1t 10
IN very bad taste FIR Minnesota paper
10 urge such An argument against DaAo-
IA for the purpo'e assigned. II the Min.
neapolis paper mad urged the probability
of the increase Of euch tragedies upon tue
attainment of statehood. a. was the case
in Minnesota, there would have been
some force in the argument, but to urge
IL for past disgrace Of mob violence is
what matter. of. fact pc pie not ov. rbur.
dened with euphony would denomins'e
gall.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

The frequent loss OF life occasioned by
The falling Of buildings in the course OF
construction, which seems to increase in
frequency, will In the course Of time and
progress Of civilization stimulate legls!a.
lures to enact stringent laws regarding
the profession OF architecture. The eight
story tenement houses that fell and killed
several work. men in New York about q
month ago and the falling of two houses
in Brooklyn w days ago, to say moth.
ing Of the less appalling casualties that
are occurring here and there every day
almost. is calling down upon the quacks
In that profession the condemnation of
the people which more or less initiates
against the entire profession, as there IS
no law governing and defining their quail
i1cations. In most If not all tie states
and territories there are stringent laws
governing apothecarles and the practice
of medicine, ignorance in which would
jeopard'ze the lives OF tho people, but
pretended architect may construct death
trap In which men by the dozen are
crushed to death or manned fer life with
impunlty and comparative immunity from
the penalty. The legitimate, educated and
thoroughly qualified architects owe it to
themselves to weed ont the quacks in the
profession and common humanity de-
mands that legislatures take hold. OF the
matter in an energetic manner.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

STRIKES have become so common
throughout the country that they DOW
sc,rcely attract attention beyond the In
tcre.ts OF people directly affected by them
or unless they are attended by violence.
But strike In penitcntiary Is some
thing new and correspondingly produces
sensation among all people whether
Immediately affected by 1t o, not. AT
frs, thought the idea appears so r'd'cu'
lous that it takes a lud'crous period
which must be laughed of before the real
merit uf the question and Its sympathetic
sspect can be considered. ..-
The first strike IN penitentiary ever
known in the history Of strikes occurred
few days ago in the Kings county peni.
tentlary, New York, when and where the
female operatives quit work Cor which
they were marched OF to their cells aud
have since remained on . diet Of bread
and water. Without explanation this
conduct would be regarded as female
freak Of Insubord, nation. but however
reckless and sband Jncd these female con-
vlc,s may be supposed TO be they give
re .son for their action which shows that
they are not obdure te beyond the reach OF
sympathy for their sex. The cause as
,.igned 10 that they were required to b I'VE
mong them - employees females from
without the prism. The wages Of the
latter were rsduced % low ty their en-
ployers that they left their situations in
which they were unstle 10 make res
pectab!e living aud an attempt wss made
70 fll their places with the female con
y,css which they refused 70 comply with
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

The people Of Washington territory, or
at least those who assume to act and
speak for the people, are struck on at ate
to ID too A constitutional convention is
10 be held, after which state officers, q
legislature and mcmters of congress are
10 be elected. These officers, II is sup
posed, will not attempt to exercise their
functions until congress admits the terri.
tory into the union. II may be-, how ever,
that they, like our South Dakota brrtn
rem two years ago, upon assembling to
torn q Constitution will conclude tina,
the election OF these .fticers fore ad-
mission is little too previous As rule
IL ose only who are assured OF positions
a'e the ones who favor anti statehood
elections. Those who are to te left out
can sec no reason for premature haste in
such matters.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

In addition 10 the decrease in acrcage
Of winter wheat In consequence OF the
low price last year and the further de
creased acreage IN consequences of the SO
we're winter 1t - ascertaincd that 10 some
paris Of the spring wheat country leas
acreage 10 being seeded this year than
usual, while the acreage oats 10 CORES
pondiDgly increased. 1t Is still good sea.
son t'r seeding spring wheat in North
Dakota, and our farmers should seed
work WE'LL There will be more oats
grown this year than ever before, per.
haps, and less heat than for many years.
That the profit will be In wheat is nothing
more than simple calculation in arilh.
metlc
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

THE subject of war in Europe is one
upon which there are nearly az many
different opinions as there are different
individuals who have opinions on the
subject. 1t Is . subject UPON which no
one can reason to an intelligent and sat
isfactory conclusion because there Is no
fixed law by which such calamitles are
brought on or averted. The war of the
rebellion in our own country was an un-
certainty until Fort Sumter was fired
upon, and even then no one conceived
the magnitude OF the struggle that fol
lowed. There sre many contingencies
upon which the tide may turn one way
or the other, and until an actual declara
,ion of war is made 1t is all conjecture.
If hos;ill;ies commence the probn bilitics
are IN favor Of a prot' acted and desperate
struggle. but until such an event does
occur tLe,c are no means Of knowing
what will be the result or the prcsen,
quarrel between the British lion and the
Russian bear.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

The prOhlOltlOu.sls Will no do~bt be
shorn in the side of the constitutional
which 10 to meet at Sioux
Falls this summer to form constitution
for South Dakota. Not only the local
advocates Of the idea and organizations
OF prohibit,onists in that part of the ter.
ritory will strenuously insist upon pro-
VISION in the constitution prohibiting the
sale nd use OF intoxicating liquors - a
beverage, hut they will he supported and
aided in substantial way by the prohi-
bi,ionls,s Of the adjoining state of Iowa
and the national organization. They
have 1t in their power to command such
prov's,on or by Joining with other NAL
contents defeat the adoption of the con
s'i,ution formed when it comes before
the people for ratification.
The late legislature generously went
down into the ockets OF the tsxpayers Il
the territory and appropriated s2o,0O0 "a
defrsy the cxleUses Of this constitutional
convention farce, and the proh,b,tIon,st,
have as n.utb right 10 take part in 1t al
any other. That The onstitutlon which
shall he Termed at sioux Fails will be q
rUpc Of sand 10 foregone CONCLUSION.
There will be too many axes to grind by
private parties and ambitious politicians
70 make constitution that will be ratt
ned BY the mssses Of the people. Ths
ropes will oil be laid for the capital o
1he proposed state and for the state cfh
GERS, oil Of whicl will he exposed befora
The people come TO vote upon II and thu
result will be that the honest masses Join
> ed by mslc"nteu's md disappointed offic'
seekers will vote 1t down.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

THE situation in western Manitoba Is
to = large extent conjectural. Is is the
case n all frontier warfare. The cour.
try 10 90 wild and its Topography so little
know lhs, but an indefi mite idea can be
obtained Of the situation at best No
system Of sclentific warfare can be sue
cesstully wsged against the insurgents no
no particularly strong points are TO be
captured. In Indian warfare their strong
points are wherever they may be caught
massed together ia large body, and
they can shift their positions from one
place 10 another almost rs quickly as IN
individual. While they will De ul:ims,e.
ly compelled to cease their resistance
they may entrap the government troops
at some unexpected time and place as
did Sitting Bull the American troops in
Montana few years ago wren Gen.
Cluster and his men were matsacred.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

One OF the convicts being demonstrated
with for persistlng In her refusal some
what dramatically replied: "Poor wages
made me convict and there are few des
plsed ones among my sex here or else
where who cannot point to that as the
cause VIII ch has made many of them
what they are.' While this is not jus
tification for felony 1t IS in moral point
of view an extenuating circumstance
which should engage the attention Of
phllanthroplsts.
The missionary work ofconverting tho
heathens Of foreign lands IS good and
honorable one for which money and en-
ergy is lavishly bestowed. but If in our
efforts in that direction we overlook our
own neoly and suffering aad allow them
to lapse into crime for want of means to
maintain an honest livelihood the debit
account on this sccte will largely balance
the credit account for christlanlz,ng the
heathens Of foreign lands.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07
AARsHALL nocLURE. Proprasto,
j. q. WA0N0OX. Editor

ALRnADY in the states preliminary
meetings are being held to make arrange
ments for the proper and appropriate ob.
servance Of Dectl alton Day. May 30th.
The observance Of thls day 10 becoming
more general every year and Jamestown
can 10 AFFORD to let another anniversary
pass without its appropriate ceremonies
There 10 nothing partisan II the sentl.
ment and should not be 10 its ceremonies.
Both political parties were represented In
the ranks OF the union army and both are
represented In the graves Of the deal who
gave their lives for the preservation nf
the union. This mark of honor to the
pstriotic dead strengthens and deepens
the spirit Of patriotism in the hearts OF
the living.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

THE new commissioner Of pensions,
Gen. J. Q. Black, Is aftel fraudulent pen
sioners IN way that threatens 10 depre-
ciate the profits OF the business. Twenty
Of these have been found on the pension
rolls at Philadelphia, some OF whom have
been dead fourteen years. The usual affi-
dsvi's have come in for these bencdcia-i
ries of the government and as it tis.a
pIims facie fraud detectives are ferretinE
out the perpetrators OF it which will
probably result IN materially increasing
the population Of the penitentiary Of that
state and IN saving several thousand dol.
lars to the government The govern
ment has probably been more systematic:
ally and ttupendously robbed In the name
of gratitude and justice to its defender,
than IN any other way. Many who do
not deserve pensions upon the grounds
the pension laws bas, them, are receiving
them, and others who are really deserv-
ing are unable to obtain them. l'hous.
ands of men who are now on the pension
rolls never discovered that they CONTRACT
ed disease or disability in the army until
nearly twenty years afterwards nor until
it was suggested by some one equally
able DO, led obtaining pension. 1t is
the plain and undisputcd duty Of the
government to provide for those who
we're disabled In the service or who have
since become disabled by reason of
wounds, exposure or disease consequent
upon service, but frauds of all kinds upon
the beneticence OF the government should
he vigorously prosecuted and s,ernly pun.
ished.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

WHILE president Cleveland only cites
the treaty of 1868 IN justification OF his
proclamation revok!ng the order Of pres
,dent Arthur Of February 9th, opening
to settlement the Winnebago reservation,
there seems 10 be something more behind
the scenes IN president Ar,hur's order
which may or may not have been known
to president Cleveland when he issued
his proclamation. 1t the proclamation
OF president Arthur opening to settle.
ment that reservation was 10 any part
or point a violation OF . previous treaty
with the Indians, that fact Of itself 10
sufficient 10 justify the revocation by
president Cleveland, and 1t was unneces-
ssry for him to 6 ve any other reason for
~ doing. This, however, 10 technical
punt, and the people are sometimes dis
posed to kick against the arbitrary ex
actions of technical points Of law how
ever good and sound they may be as legal
points.
But facts are developing every day
which, il they prove TO be true, will have
far greater weight with the people iu
just,fy,ng the revocation tn n technical
points of law would have. These facts
are that land sharks and ,ownsi,e spscu-
la:ors were in The sinner circle" at
Washington when president Arthur is.
sued bis proclamation and before NEST
and legitimate eettlers could avail them
selves of the lands thus thrown open TO
settlement, the sbov: mentioned land
sharks who, by some unaccountable pre-
monitlon, had provided themselves with
cheap script proceeded 10 cover nearly
all the vaiuahle lands and prospective
townsite.
The fact that this important order was
sigued by president Arthur only five
days before the expiration Of his term,
and the further fact that . certain South
Dakota man and democratic politician
who had gone to Washington to attend
the Inauguration suddenly and uuceremo.
niously came away before that event trans
pr,red and arrived in Mitchell, where the
government land Office having jursdic-
ton over this reservation is located, on
the very day this order was signed and
received . private telegram to that eject
whereupon he proceeded to cover large
portion Of the best lands in the reserva'
ton with scrip The next morning before
the people had any knowledge of the or
der opening the reservation to settlement,
if not . suspicious circumstance is at
least singular coincidence. The proba.
billty is that the administration will let a
lit,l. wholesome daylight 10 upon the at.
Fair IN the near future.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07
THERE have been 20 many contr .dic

THERE have been 20 many contr idic
tory stories of the probable and improba,
bic removal Of Gov. Pierce by the new
administration that the people who are
out Of politics have about come to the
conclusion that those who imagine that
they are in politics do not know anything
about 1t. This is perhaps very neal the
facts in the case. Ii president Cleveland,
IN the two months Of his lncumbency,
has demonstrated one thing more Than
another 1t IS that he is president, that he
is able to stand alone While he does not
seek the antagon,sm of the politicians
and cffice brokers of his party he is not
willing to surrender himself aud his off,
cial prerok katives TO avoid it. lie has de-
c,slon Of character aud personal stamina
enough to act upon his own judgment
and hence the ra,llery against him from
an occasional disappointed bourbon here
and there throughout the country. II 's
a contest that meets every president upon
the Threshold of his incumbency and the
sooner it is ended the more Of the term
he will have IN the rightfnl enjoyment OF
his prerogatlves, If he is able to withstand
the onslaught o. politicians at the begin
ing.
Gov. Pierce has 80 far made al excel
lent executive and in the discharge OF his
official duties no one could distinguish
whether he is . democrat or republican,
which is as it should he. With the prob
able exception Of few temporary local
preiudiccs, Gov. ri erce's administration
is . popular and satisfactory one TIE
wonder is that he was able to perform
his functions in relation to the acts OF the
late legislature without incurring mote
Ill will than he did. He has wisely and
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

THE purchase ot twenty thousand acres
of land OF the Northern Pacific railroad
company in the adjoining counties Of La
Moure and Dickey by an OHIO captaIlst
is very gratifying indication OF the
coming great boom in North Dakota
which will culninate next year In most
wonderful rosper,ty of all classes OF bust
ness aod industries IN The northwest and
especially In this the great wheat produc.
ing part of the northwest. This IS an in-
dividual purchase, and as an evidence
that the land is not puschased to bc held
for tho rise In value contingent upon the
settlement of the country, lie will have
five thousand acres Of 1t broken this year
aud made ready for wheat crop next
year.
Another fact TO be taken into account
in considering the relation of this pur-
CHI. Sc to the good OF the country is that
the railroad company only holds lands
in alternate sections, and intermingled
with this purchase. are as many sections
held by the government which can only
be acquired by settlement under the pub
lie land laws. These lands will be en-.
HANGED in value by improvement of the
sections purchased o; the railroad com.
pany.
1t Is q gratifying sign OF the times to
see capital Withdrawing from the eastern
speculative markets and seeking invest
ment in the wheat lands Of Dakota.
Those capitalists are for. seeing enough
to grasp the future of this country and
the profits of l,s products, and having
found the balance in favor Of investment
in producing enterprises they are wise
enough to join the people Of the north.
west in developing the country. at the
same time being assured of prolific re.
turns. 1t will be but a few years at most
Until improved lands in the James river
valley will readily find sale at from e2s
to $50 per acre and unimproved lands IN
proportion.
There never was time in the history
of this country when the signs OF the
times were more auspiclous than the
present. The ressonable certainty of q
good price for wheat next fall and the
certainty of good crop arc the golden
beacon lights to which the farmers may
confidently look. and with their prosper
ity comes the prosperity OF every other
legitimate industry aud business enter
nriso
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1885-05-07

THERE IS perhaps no name more gener.
ally known or m re familiar in the North
west along the line of the Northern Pa
ci1c railroad especially, than that Of
Henry Willard. This railroad was CON-
pleted under his supervision as its prcsi-
dent and hts name ls perpetuatcd IN the
name Of stations and hotels all along this
line. The famous "golden spike" party,
composed Of representative great men
from all pa7,s OF this country and Europe
which came cut the first of September,
1883, TO formally unite the east and west
divisions of the track, on the summit Of
the Rocky mountains, which tied the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific 10.
gcthcr by tran sentimental railroad was
the sensation of the continent at that.
time snu proved TO be the zenith of Mr..
Wizards glory, for his sun commenced
gong down from that time. The great
railroad which he brought ~ successful
completion will increa,s while Henry
Willard, al that time It's * ,cut,ve head,
will decrease.
At that time Mr.. Willard was one of the
mon,y kings OF Wall street, New York,
his wealth being estimated reasonably at
five millions and often represented at the
extravaaant sum OF forty millions. The
result of his hand to hand contest with
the financial giants OF that great money
center was that the stockholders Of the
railroad company became dissatisfied
with his management and the pressure
upon him was SO great that he soon ten
dered his resignation followe later by an
exhaustive statement which convinced
the world that he was an honest man if
not always judIcious financ,er. In
making good obligations o the companies
with which he was connected and other
personal obligations his magnificent for
tune dwindled down to half million
upon which he has settled down in Ber-
lin in the land of his birth, to spend the
remainder of his days in retirement. A
few days ago he resigned the presidency
Of the Oregon & California railroad COM
pany which severed the last tie Of busl-
ness association that bound hin to the
land Of his adoption, the scene of the
great struggles and triumphs Of his life.
There Is tender spot in the hearts of the
people Of the northwest for H. nry Vii
lard and VIC have no doubt he will treas
ure the memories of his visits among and
associations of the psople along the line
of the Northern Pacific railroad as long
he lives though he may never see this
aountry or people again.