Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-12-25
Dakota.

HURON, d. T., Dec. l5.-Thc advocates Of
Dakota's claim to statehood have taken the
city by storm to-day. They have been arriy-
Ing 10y the score on every train for the past
three days, and the city has at this writing
more strangers within her boundaries than at
any previous time In her history. At 9 O'Clock
this morning the constitutional convention
was called 20 order by its president, Judge
Edgerton, and at , this afternoon. in response
to an official call issued over the signatures
of Governor Mellette, "Lieuteuant-Gov-
eruor'' Franks and Speaker Eddy, the
south Dakota 'legislaturc'' will come to.
gether In it's first session. OF all the promi-
nent leaders Of the movement, including such
men as John A. Owen, the champion Of pro-
hibItion; A. Hsines, j.. X. p. McCollum, w.
w. Brookings, T. II. Commit, Frank Alexan-
der, State Auditor-elect ii. II. Sheets, j. A.
Ward and &. Z. Beebe, not one is absent. The
leaders are reticent regarding the program
that has been mapped out for the considera-
ton OF the convention and legisla-
turc, but say that action will be
taken that will impress upon The president
congress and the people Of the country that
they are demanding what shall not much lon
ger be withheld from them. The first ques-
ton which is to be discussed 10y the legislature
Is the adyisability Of recommending the con-
sUitutional convention TO abolish the clause
in the constitution which practically forbids
the state officials from setting the wheels Of
the state government in motion. This amend
ment alone blocks the wheels of Independent
action, and the statehood advocates say that
its abolition would compel the PRESIDENT to re-
sort to military or judicial interference to de-
clare the state government illegal. To this
they would make no armed resistance, but at
the same time they believe thatit would have
the effect of making the issue one Of nation
al importance. Governor Mellette is quoted
as f~avoriug the submission Of the repeal
amendment to the people, and the subsequent
| giving of notice that the territorial govern
mcut will cease and the state government
begin. Many members Of the legis-
~lature, however, are inclined to-
ward conservatism, and it is doubtful
whether a majority will be found willing to
sanction extreme proceedings. The probable
ity is IL at the matter will be allowed to rest
in it's present shape until the close Of the
present session Of congress, in the expecta-
ton that appropriate legislative action Will
be taken. The bill for the division Of the ter
ritory is now on the house calendar with A ia
vorable recommendation from TIE committee
on territories. This bill provides for the di-
vision OF Dakota into two territories, divided
practically on the 46th parallel. 1t does not
provide for the admission Of either Of them,
but 1t provides tn st the officers Of the resent
territory who live north OF the divid'
ing line shall hold the corresponding
offices in north Dakota, and that
the officers living south Of
the dividing line shall retain the correspond
ing Offices in south Dakota. IT, happens that
all the territorial officers now live north cf
the dividing line, SO that the Hill bill, II
passed, would make two territories out OF Da
kota. one Of which would have a full set
officers, while the other would have non
whatever until the clec a new set. II
is said that the elcmeu which does not favor
he abolition Of the restraining ,'ause are OF
opinion that when this bin has 1ten passed
by the house, they ca treas ali the territorial
officers as officers of north Dakota, and al
once set the southern organized state govern,
ment I'm motion. TIE grams which are being
received here fron Washington indicate that
the action OF the two bodies will be awaited
with no little interest at the national capital