River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-06-03
SENATE, May 81 Not in session.
House, May 3l-Not in session.
DAKOTA AFFAIRS IN CONGRESS-.

Mr.. Springer from the committee on
territories ON the 25th, presented in the
house the adverse report of the majority
of that committee on the senate bill TO
provide for the admission of the state of
Dakota into the UHion, and for the
organization of the territory of Lincoln.
The report says:
1t cannot he said that the people of Da-
kota, and especially of Southern Dakota,
are in favor OF admitting into the Union
the southern part of that territory as IA
state. The movement having IN view the
formation of two states TO be carved out
of the territory of Dakota, originated in
the territory. Congress has in no way
authorized or recognized il. The present
statehood movement in Dakota is without
precedent, and has no just claim to the
favorable consideration of congress
Congress NAV in its discretion ratity
proceedings taken by n territory look
ing to it admission To the Union. But un-
I'll such ratification, all such proceedings are
irregular and without binding force the
question of whether the present territory of
Dakota is to be divided SO as to lay the
foundation for two states TO be admitted
into the Union hereafter as one, interests
the people of the states as much as it does
states have just as much right TO have that
subject submitted TO them for their APP
prevail as have the people of the territory.
There are already IN the Union two states
having larger ; rcas than has the territory
of Dakota.
The population OF Dakota certainly does
not eutltle her TO be admitted into the
Union as two states. Ii would be mani
fesrly unjust to all the people Of
the Union To carve two states out
Of tEe present territory OF Dakota. 1t
may he safely assumed that it will be many
years before the territory will reach the
population OF ! $4,000, the average popu-
lauon # all tie states according TO the cen
Gus OF $50.
Clairlnau Hin OF Ohio, submits a minor
ity report in which. while disagreeing with
the majority. ne holds that Dakoti -h0uld
uOt be admitted under the senate bill be-
cause all the people OF the territory were
not consulted fairy on the question Of
division aud tho formation of cOnstitu-
ton for the proposed state, He believes
that it is the duty of congress to refer this
question Of the division Of the territory
10 the full vote of the people thereon,
after which congress can take proper
steps TO admit to the sisterhOOd
of states. Dakota as Northern Dakota.
When the people of the two territories once
established have taken the proper steps u
organize state government under the AL
JhOrty of enabling acts, submitted by
congress and subject to the approval there
of Another minority report is signed 10y
Messrs. Baker, StruOble, Cooper, Herman
ani Symmes. They respectfully submit
that the people OF Dakota are in favor Of
admitting TO the Uuion the southern part
as a state. Every fact justities, and every
consideration demands aud establishes be
yOnd question the claimant right Of la
kota to be Immediately admitted into the
Union. IL has been suggested that the
senate bill might be amended SO as to pro
vide for the submission of the constitution
20 new vote Of the people of Dakota, "A
condition which, though the subscribers
conceive to be unjust, they may neverthe-
less accede to 10y way Of a compromise
The minority then propose amendments,
the effects of which are to change slightly
the lines of division from the forty sixth
parallel OF north latitude TO the seventh
standard parallel Of north latitude tthis is
Chairman Hills proposition, and proposes
the name of North Dakota instead of Lin
coin for the territory nos eMbrac- within
the liues of the new state. These sugges-
aions they say, If adopted, would convert
the senate bill into an enabling act, pure
and simple. They close their report with
the expression of their belief that 1t is the
constitutional right of the state of Dakota
TO he admitted under the bill which has
come TO the house from the senate, the
passage of which they earnestly urge.