Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-02-18
RowEN s. KINGsBuRY. Proprs.

AAO RupSib 40 SAfOh w uhoCkSbobo
that the house committee on territories
will this week complete its consideration
of the Harrison bill for the admission of
the south half of Dakota into the unien
and will be ready to make its report
next week. From what has been given
out 1t appears that the house committee
has no intention of favorably reporting
the senate bill as it passed that body,
but will mutilate it to conform, as far as
it dares, to the partisan ends of its op
ponents. The committee is said to be
considering four distinct propositions,
divided rs follows:
First-To amend the senate bill SO as
wipe out the present state organization
and submit the questio of division de
'e0oo to vote of the people.
Second-To pass an enabling act for
the south half of the territory.
Ihird--To divide the territory into two
parts on the Missouri river, and admit
the eastern part as state.
Fourth-To simply divide the territory
and postpone the admission of either
portion.
1t is given as q probability that the
first proposition will receive favorable
report from the house committee and
that the house will nocede to the report.
The house committee is proceeding un-
der the false assumption that the propo-
sitlon to divide Dakota encounters op-
position of considerable magnitude here
at home and that it is necessary to sub
nit the question to popular vote
to determine the matter. So
| far as it meets the ends
and aims of the democratic ma
jorlty in that body, there is an appear.
ance of Willingness to consult the wishes
and desires of the people. But when
the wishes and desires of the people
conflict with the wishes and desires oi
the democratic house majority
there is exhibited no great
anxiety to compromise differ.
enees with the occupants of the
domain OF Dakota. Our representatives
in Washington have taken great pains
to demonstrate to congress the unanimi
| ty with which Dakota demands division
and have shown that during a period o
ten years past there. has practica II.
been but one sentiment and that senti
ment favorable to division. Every
legislature or convention (republican O.
democratic) during that period has
voiced in emphatic language the demand
of Dakota for the separation of itl
parts. This was demonstrated to con
| gress by official documents which coult
not be disputed. In view of these fact
! itiis not justice to compel Dakota to in
cur the labor and expense of fresl
demonstration of an incontrovertiblt
fact.
Ii Dakota must yield to partisan
Opposition, the second prop osition il
| the foregoing list would be most accept
able to it's people. This would give t.
the south the power to again adopt
constitution and to go into the uniol
under proclamation by the president
If it would be any inducement to
democratic house to grant justice in thi
case, the people of south Dakota woult
| doubtless be willing to accept. alonI
with proposition number two, provis
that the state is not to become stat
until after the next presidential cleo
ton. South Dakota is tired of its IN
certain existence and wants its statu
fixed. If congress will tell us that W
may become state within certain fix
ed period, there will be no more ham
mering at the door-we will wait until
opens, if a time certain is agreed upo
when that event shall transpire.
,