The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-09-25
THE SIOUX FALLS CONVENTION.

A canvass of the delegates now as
semhled at Sioux Falls to enact a
state constitution shows that a strong
majority in that body are in favor
not only of the adoption of a consti-
tmtiorr, but of providing in the sched-
ule for an election of state officers,
members Of a Legislature, a congress
man and senator's. 1t is said by
some that the convention is a unit on
this proposition, In Pursuance of
this intention on the convention, Gen.
Campbell, Of Yankton, was placed at
the head Of the ccmmittc On schedule.
The general occupies the most ad-
vanced position on this subject and it
con be relied upon that the items in
the schedule relative to elections will
cover the entire ground.
The pluck Of these representatives
of the progressive element of South
Dakota cannot be to highly com
nended. They have assembled to-
gather with the purpose of asserting
firmly and decidedly the rights of
Dakota and they will make no half
way, fear and trembling work Of it.
mr. e laa.>gates to this convention are
~noticeably men of high character and
broad comprehension and these
characteristics, added to the courage
they exhibit. will enable them to
build strongly for the state their de-
termination almost ssnres. They
represent a people who have deliber-
ately reached the conclusion that the
day of duplication has passed and
that South Dakota has reached a
crisis in its political affairs where
manhood must assert itself and must
take q firm stand upon its chosen po-
sition. Judge Edgerton, as the pres
ident of this. body, is to be congratu-
lated upon the opportunity afforded
him to exeibit the courage and indie
pendence of an American citizen he
is known to possess. He is true to
South Dakota and its interests, and
in the years. to come he will be able
to look back with commendable pride
upon his leadership of an organization
assembled to advance those inter-
ests.
The plan of the convention is to
elect the executive, judicial and leg
islative officers necessary to state
government, and a member of the
lower house of congress. These
officials are not to assume the func
tions of their respective positions
until congress comedies the requisit
authority, with this exception: That
the governor shall assemble the legls
latule and the legislature shall elect
two United States senators aud then
disband until such time as congress
gives vitality to its organization by
adopting an act Of admission. This
is given as the popular plan among
the members of the convention
There is certainly nothing hazardous
about it, nothing bearing the semb-
lance revolution or antagonlsm to the
existing provisional government. II
is merely getting ready to be a state.
But it will give to South Dakota a
powerful lobby in the interest of ad.
mission and a quasi official organiza.
ton to present and urge u claims
at Washington.
The convention might rightfully
go one step further in its persuit Of
justice. 1t might provide that, in
ease congress turns a deaf ear to our
demand for statehood and declares in
effect that we shall not be admitted,
the governor-elect be empowered to
put in motion the machinery Of state
government, under the provisions Of
the constitution of the United States
and of the ordinance accompanying
the Louisiana treaty. The prece-
dents established in the cases of
Michigan and California could he
followed, as a last resort. We make
this suggestion under the accepted
theory that our constitutional repre-
sentatiyes are assembled for the
specific purpose Of making q stale
and that is their intention TO labor to
the finish Kankton Press and Da-
iotaiupt.