The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-12-24
The south Dakota Legislature and Con-
stitutional Convention Begin Their
Sessions at Huron.
Gov. Mellette's Message Read, Devoted
Exclusively to Discussion OF State
hood.
Voters Called Upon to Decide Whether
the State Government Shall Begin
Business in January, 1888.
THE CONSTITUTION N LEGISLATURE.

HURON. Jar pSNAN 1S~ -
II was 1890 this morning before President
Edrerton called the constitutional conven-
tjon to order. A member offered prayer, and
then the president read a lengthy and patri-
otto paper, commenting that whatever is
best to be lone should be don in a firm and
n~atriotic spirit, He suggested that If a mod
ifcation of the boundaries of the state would
allay irritation, or if a change of name would
make it more agreeable to others, it would
be we'll to make these changes. These were
his only practical suggestions. Judge Camp
bell offered the folio owing, which was unani-
mously adopted:
Resolved, That a committee Of conference of
nine delegates be appointed by the president OF
this convention. who are instructed to take into
consideration the present emergencies and re-
port TO the convention when 1t reassembles to-
day for its consideration such a plan or action
as they may agree upon as suitable to such
Resolved, That this convention invite the SEN
ate and house Of representatives to appoint q
Joint committee Of congress to meet and confer
with the comm ttee OF this convention. with a
view to Obtaining the sentiments of these bodies
upOn the same subject, and that this convention
invite the president and the governor to meet
and take part with said committee in such con-
ference for the same object, and that the secre-
tary Of this convention act as secretary OF said
conference committee.
4 lS bANA
Messrs Campbell, Haines, Owen, Myers,
Dott, Domard, Williams, Neill and Kellam.
Mr.. Haine reported resolutions to the mem
DRY of the late Cassius N. Reed, a member of
the convention. Adopted. Adjourned to 3
p. IN. At that hour, the conference commit
tee not being prepared TO report, a further
adjournment was taken till tomorrow. 1t
was developed this afternoon thai all the
1917. - +Lo oonTnropno 90 ro,cftfaa ora
lawyers. and that when they met for confer
ence before meeting with the senate and
house committeeman, all of them agreed
that the repeal Of the restraining clause is
the proper thing to do by the convention,
and that the latter has full power to do so;
so that this branch of the general conference
committee, and the one that will have the
most weight with the convention, is Of one
mind as to the course to be pursued in this
emergency.
Il STATE LEGISLATURE
convened at noon. In the absence of Lieut.
Gov. Frank, the senate was called to order
by its secretary, John II. Drake. Without
transacting any business it took a recess till
PIP IN, so that members absent might ar
rive by the noon train and participate in the
proceedings. At this hour che body again
assembled, when Hon. Henry NELL of
Big Stone City Q was chosen president
pro tenn. Action was taken on the commu-
nication from the constitutional convention
by the appointment of Senators Gamble, Bo-
CART, Adams, Bronson and Templeton as
members of the joint committee. Adjourn
ment was then taken till 3 tonight to hear
Gov. Mellettes message read. In the house
Speaker Eddy brought down his gavel at
noon, and called upon Rev. Mr.. McCostin to
pfHn~ x.n-A. NJ. hAr,~H D.A..o ..rN - ,.,aa
sworn in as q member of the house. On ac-
count of the dangerous illness OF Chief Clerk
Mcconnell, Ed j. Sherman was appointed
assistant clerk. The house took a recess till
2, On reassembling the speaker laid before
the house the resolutions Of the constitutional
convention Messrs. French, Alien, shan
non, Wardell, Potter, Therson and Treat
were appointed members of the conference
committee. Adjourned till 3 p m
THE JOINT CONFERENCE
committee men were in session three hours
this afternoon, Judge Campbell in the chair.
Messrs. Campbell. Owen, Myers and Kellom
argued in favor or repeating the restraining
clause in the ordinance SO as to remove ey-
erything in the way OF putting the state gov
ernment in motion. They took this position:
The ordinance is no part of the constitution
and was never submitted to o vote OF the people.
III only the machinery or scafolding upon
Whlch the preliminary steps to statehood are
Huilb n SuCn ~ IL sIlIl III Tie manu- Oh LiiS COLI
yention and is subject to their will. either for
modification or repeal.
Mr.. Gamble was the principal speaker in
opposition to this theory. He strongly as
serted that his opinion was contrary TO his
sympathies, yet he could not see tho subject
IN the light held by others. The session con-
tinued till q late hour, and only adjourned in
season for supper and to listen TO the gov
ernor's message. 1t is certain that the SYM
pathies and the wishes OF the convention
ana OF the Legislature lead them, almost. to a
man, to wish for that solution of the qnes-
uon which will the soonest and the surest
compass statehood. This once found. the
remainder of the business will be rapidly
dome The convention will repeal the re-
straining clause, but IL devoives ON the leg
lsiature to set the time for the state govern
ment to begin action.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE
before the legislature, the convention and
hundreds OF others, Gov. Mellette tonight
delivered his message, saying:
Notwithstanding past reverses, so great Is my
asitn IN the almighty force Of the enlightened
sentiment OF justice prevailing ia the age, that l
can put hope that upon calm deliberation the
popular house OF CONGRESS will vet concede our
Iiequest, which IL admits to be reasonable, since
= must occur to them that an unrequited
wrong TO any citizen or lawful political
organization of citizens is q blow at
me rights OF every citizen and state.
u congress, in its discretion, shall divide the
EDITORIAL domain on or near the present bound
AIRY line OF tho state, insuring Us our statehood
IA the end. and II this division is made subject
70 approval by the ballot Of the people, we will
welcome this solution of the problem and cheer
luuy accept the new situation ] would urge
you 10 take no step backward In the work COM
mltted to your care, and with each succeeding
uiscouragement renew Your courage from an
espluing faith In the Ultimate triumph Of justice.
vne duty Of this general assembly Is.
a. my opinion. to. provide by law for cleo
tlons to all vacancies In Office under the
constitution. and this alone I deem sufficient
apology for your convocation. Beyond this
trust III the oonfiict of oninion ri develon the
,Ipufso OK wisdom. I desire to rcafirm my be-
~ IN the absolute and unqualified lawful right
y sne ntate OF Dakota TO maintain a local gov
eminent, Then. II an existing right. there
- Muss exist means OF enforcing Il, so far as may