Morning journal and courier., 1885-10-07
Tf1e 5nurna1 aud Gn1rier.
Wednesday, October 2, 1885.
SOUTHERN DAKOTA.

The people of Southern Dakota mean to have that part of the territory7south of the 46th parallel made State if hard and persistent
 work will do it.. The proposed constitution has been drafted by convention which con- tinued in session month, working night and day, and completed it's task at an ex- pense of $10,00O. Committees are now or ganizing in every township, and they will
 be supplied with printed copies of the con stitution and ballots bearing the names of candidates for legislature, State officers, congressman, and temporary seat of gov ernment. The casting of full vote in No vember in order to ensure the adoption of the new constitution as basis on which to demand the admission of the State from Congress this winter is being pressed with earnestness and enthusiasm.
 Those who drafted the constitution urge its ratification by ballot in an address which gives some strong reasons for such action
 Among the benefits which admission as a are: Low taxation; economy in appropria- tions and expenditures by the legislature e; cheeks on county and municipal indebted ness; lower salaries for State officers than are paid the corresponding territorial off cers; the protection of school land funds; the receipt of revenue from the school lands and the diminishing of school taxes; checks on the power of corporations to influence legislation and to discriminate unjustly against individuals or places; the opening of the Indian reservations and the settlement of those large tracts of country which now separate eastern from western Dakota; the advance of railroads across these reservations ing of State government closer to the people and making it more responsible to them; ad- vance in all values of property and an in crease and stability of State, municipal and individual credit; independent and complete selfgovernment; escape from the enormous taxation that will be necessary to complete the territorial capitol at Bismarck.
 The proposed new constitution is an inter esting document. By it the legislature is empowered to pass laws preventing discrimi- nation or extortion in freight charges, and to extend the penalty for disobe- dience even to forfeiture of property and franchise. The legislature has power alike to fix rates and revise, annul or alter the charters of corporations. Stock watering and the consolidation of competing parallel lines are prohibited. The principle of bien- nial sessions is adopted. The governor is given power to veto items in the appropria- tien bill. State aid to sectarian institutions is prohibited. The oath of legislators re- luires an absolute denial of the use of bribe- " or any improper influence in obtaining an election. The aggregate indebtedness which he State is allowed to contract is $500,OOO, ave in defending itself or the United States. All expenditures are to be provided for by lirect taxation and the $500, 900 limit is per nltted only to meet exceptional expendi- ures. The judiciary is made elective and here are clauses looking to the future pro- libition of the sale of liquor and the grant ng of suffrage to women. The drafters of he document seem to have done their work we'll and with much foresight. Success to he people of southern Dakota in their am-4 ,ition.