St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-04
GOV. PIERCE ON ADMISSION.
He Thinks Dakota's Prospects Before
Congress Good,
The Proposition to Divide on the Mis-
souri, Unwise.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
CHICAGO. Feb. 3.-Gov. Pierce of Da-
kota was in the city to-day on his return
from Washington, where he has been for
several days on official business. The
governor says that the prospects
for the admission of Dakota are
far more promising than he had any
reason to believe before he reached Wash
ingtOn. Senators Moody and EdgertOn had
made very favorable impression both on
Democrats and Republicans, and their
speeches before the committee were well
received. The proposition to divide the terri
tory on the Missouri river found a number of
advocates, but this division, the governor
thought, would be very unwiSe one If
the proposition was made to admit the ter
ritOry as whole he thought there would
be no difficulty in having it passed.
but the representatives of the southern
section of the territory would not
accept this. They would. he thought pre-
fer TO remain as a territory rather than
come in as one state. The division ON the
forty-sxth parallel was by TAR the best
move that could be made, and would prob
ably be the
EVENTUAL DECISION
arrived at. Montana was quietly asking
for admission, and he thought if the two
territories could be admitted at the same
time a great deal of the objections
at present urged would cease as
far as the president himself was concerned.
Gov. Pierce said there would be no Opposi-
ton to any plan that looked to admission
according to the wishes of the people.
Washington territory might develop into a
state before congress adjourned, as he
understood that bill for its admission had
already been presented. AS far as his Of
fee was concerned his term would depend
very much ON the nature of the
bill admitting the territory. Con-
gseSs might admit the southern
portion and leave the northern
part precisely as it was now, in which case
he would continue to be governor of that
territory. Or the lower part might be
admitted and new territorial government
provided for the northern section, in which
case he would of necessity be
LEGIsLATED OUT OF OFFICE.
There might be none of it admitted, and in
that case he had two years and half yet 10
serve. In case it was not admitted, how
ever. the governor thought some relief ought
to be afforded the citizens of the territory.
More judges were needed and greater legal
facilities were an absolute necessity. Many
other things require consideration and
should receive the careful end intelligent
attention of congress. In regard to
the breaking up of the Sioux
reservation, the movement he thought
an excellent one. There were 10000
square miles in this reservation without a
responsible or absolute owner. and cattle
owners were in constant trouble with the
Indians. Cattle would stray on the reserva-
ton and would be killed. No one would
be held responsible, and good many other
vexatiOus grievances were constantly aTiS-
ing. BY dividing the land which was prob
ably the finest in the territory responsible
owners would control the lands, the Indians
themselves would be benefited and the ter
ritory would be adyantaged in great many
and very important respects.