Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-07-17
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

Concluding Proceedings Of the July
| Meeting at Sioux EalIs-ActiOn OF
| the state League.
Sioux Fails, Oak, July 14--ybe con-
stltutional convention met at 8 o'clock
| this morning, but at once took recess,
! and the forenoon was occupied IN argu-
ments in conference upon the question
of submitting the repeal of section 80 to
the people. MIR. Haines delivered an
able speech against submission, and was
supported by Rev. j. FL. Moor of Beadle
county and by Judge Edgerton. The
latter, replying to some aspersions cast
upon the manner in which the claims of
Dakota had been presented to congress
by the gentlemen delegated for that
purpose, said:
The work has been done in an honor
able manner, and that they had been
| accorded an honorable hearing by the
president and committee of congress.
I,de believes the repeal of section 80
would have tendency to defeat the ad-
mlGsion OF Dakota, and that any effort
on our part to assume the functions OF
state Gsices would antagonizs the friends
of Dakota in congress. He feared the
Springer Pill for admission as whole
would pass the house, and that if this
section be repealed, six republican sem
ators might be found who would go with
the democracy and pass it in the senate.
Cen. Campbell, DR.. Ward, Judge
Owen, and others made eloquent and
fo,cibie Arguments in favor oil the repeal,
m vol 10 tnt ta, 4
the noon recess. the resolution to submit
the repeal of section 81 TO the people
was lost by 20 ayes to 81 nays, The re-
snit OF the vote was a great surprise to
may of the members, fer up tes. this
morning it Was generally conceded as
sure to carry. Many of those who voted
against the measure expressed their
views to be that the section never ought
to have been put in the constitution, but
having been there, as d matter of expe-
dlency it must be allowed to remain.
ibis being the main question for which
the present session was called, upon it's
de eat the feeling at once became appar-
eDt that this was virtually the end of the
statehood movement under the Sioux
Falls constitution. An effort to keep it
alive was adopted by the adoption of
the following resolutions, offered by
Mr.. Walton:
Resogue1, That there shall be elected
by this convention state executive
committee to consist of seven
| members. Said state executive
committee shall continue in office dur
ing the pleasure of this Convention and
shall have power to fill ali vacancies in
| their own number, and they may in case
If necessity call an adjourned meeting
OF this convention. Tney shall fix their
time and place of meeting and major
ity OF all the members thereof shall con.
stitute quorum, with power fc transact
business.
ReSolps6, That it shall / s the duty of
SAID comml.tee, III conjunction with the
committee already provided for by Sec
tion 2S OF the ordinance and schedule of
the constitution, to continue the apph.
cation to the general government tor
| the admission of the state OF Dakota to
the union under the constitution, as
adopted by the convention on Septem-
Der l5, 1885, and ratified by the people
of said state, and to present such consti-
tntion to the successive congresses of
the United States.
Mr.. Oakes offered the following,
| which was adopted:
Resolved, That this convention, deem
ing it of the utmost importance to have
q tull expression OF opinion from the
people of both sections Of Dakota on the
question OF division on an east and west
line at or near the forty sixth parallel,
request this county commissioners of the
entire territory to provide FOR taking
vote on this question at the general
election in November next.
| A resolution offered by Mr.. Campbell
adopted, provided that the convention
stand ajourned to tuesday, Nov. 23d,
1885, and rule was changed, to pro.
,lde that smaller number than a
quorum may adjourn from time to time,
III order to perpetuate the life ofthe con-
vention. Most OF the delegates left on
the afternoon trains for their homes.
In interviews WITH Campbell Ward,
| Owen and other leading members after
| adjournment each expressed himself as
satisfied that the committee will never
again convene. Mr.. Campbell refused
to longet act upon the state executive
| committee, but the convention declined
to accept bis resignation, though it is
safe to predict tnau his active champion.
ship of the statehood movement is at
| an end.
| The state league held several sessions
4
meetings, and mainly discussed ways
and means Of perpetuating its organiza-
ton and supporting the cause Of
division and statehood. The member
ship OF the league was shown to be
about five hundred, and the need of
more funds aud plans for obtaining
sthem oecupi8d large share Of the time.
The following resolutions were ad opted: !:
| Resolved, That one thing needed to
| make the desire Of our people for divis.
ion and admission an irresistible senti-
ment is organization.
RaSoloed, That it is notso much a
matter of concern to us that the fund of
this movement be organized ints leagues
as that they organize into companies or
|squads of some sort, to the end that we
|lmove with celerity and unity against the
enemy OF division and admission, when
ever and wherever he may show him
self.
Resolved, That the current impression
that the league is organized in the inter
est of any particular section Tor state
hood is anwarranted by the facts, and
fought not to be- entertained by any one.
Resolped, That the members OF the
Dakota state league here assembled do
hereby pledge their unqualified support,
by every honorable means, to the cause
OF division and admission of Dakota. We
, desire to keep alive our own interest
and kindle the enthusiasm OF others in
, support OF the constitution of the new
. state of Dakota because of the protect
oi ,iop xphich that insts;,Ynhnf pnarantaee