The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1886-02-12
JUDGE EDGERTON's VIEWS.
He Believes the Dakota Outlook
is Encouraging.
ReliefPromised the Settler..The
Reservation Bill.

Judge Edgerton returned from
Washington by the delayed trair
Thursday night, and all day yesterday
held sort of informal reception al
his office, a number of citizens drop,
ping in to inquire as, to the outlook
The REPUBLICAN put a few inquiries
to the Judge with the following
result:
What are the prospects for division
and admission under the Harrison
bil?"
81 think that the friends of state.
hood have great reason to be hopeful
that congress will admit the new state
this session. The bill will undoubted-
ly pass the senate in few days. All
the Republican senators will vote fo1
it and undoubtedly two or three lead
ing Democrats
"What have been the strongest
grounds of opposition to the measure p
"The enemies of the movement claim
that the majority of the people of
Dakota are not in favor of it. We
were so confident, however, that this
was mistake that when prominent
democratic member OF the house
committee on territories asked us if we
had any objection to attaching to the
bill a proposition to submit division
under the present constitution to vote
of theswhole people In. the early sum-
mer, we all replied we had none; pro-
vided, the opposition would accept the
same proposition. The bill may
possibly pass with such a proviso, and
if it, does, the friends are confident that
/ division and admission will be ratified
by an overwhelming majority"
"Is there any danger OF a compromise
on division as a whole, or on Missouri
river division?"
"Such a compromise, consider, we'll
nigh impossible"
elias there been marked change of
Sentiment on the Dakota question
since your delegation reached Wash
ington with it's array of facts and
arguments?
"The change of opinion in our favor
has been very decided. Nothing will
prevent the passage of the bill except
democratic caucus; in that event, in
dividual members will possibly feel
constrained to yield"
GLOW were you received by the presi
dent?''
"He was very friendly and seemed
desirious OF knowing the true condi-
tion of affairs in Dakota, and the
wishes OF the people,"
"Who are likely to take the lead on
the Republican side when the bill
reaches the house?"
II think Reed of Maine, Long of
Massachusetts,, Burrows Of Michigan,
Baker of New York and Cooper of
Ohio. will be active in our behalf, with
probably several other gentlemen who
are taking an interest in the question.
Tht bill will reach the house within
the next ten days, and the question
has been SO fully presented to the
house committee that an early report
may be expected
In this connection Judge Edgerton
spoke in high praise of the valuable
aid which Gov. Mellette, Representa-
tive Kanouse and Mr.. Drake rendered
Judge Moody and himself in present
ing the case to congress. Messrs.
Mellette, Kanouse and Drake have left
Washington, but Judge Moody is still
there. He will be obliged to leave for
Deadwood the last OF the month to
attend term of court, but Gov.
N1ellette and Mr.. Kanouse will return
in time to relieve him.
"What is the outlook for relief from
Sparks rulings?"
Several measures have been intro
duced or prepared to relieve the set
tiers, and have no doubt before the
session is over, a bill will pass protect
ing all who went the public lands in
obedience to constructions heretofore
given; and it is probable law will be
passed either providing that Recei-
ver's final receipt shall protect the
owner or MORTGAGE of the land; or a
law that such receipt shall
not be cancelled except on a
Judgment of court of competent
jurisdiction. Assistant Secretary
jerks seems determined to protect the
rights OF all Innocent persons
"And will the reservation be OPEN
ed?"
"The Dawes bill will undoubtedly
pass the house with no material
change from its present shape 1t was
amended in the senate to protect all
settlers under President Arthur's order
on the land which will be opened for
entry, and commission will be ap-
pointed to ascertain the losses which
have been sustained by those who
settled on the land that will be reserv-
1 ed for the Indians. AIessrs. McManima
and Mcclure OF Pierre deserve great
credit for their efforts in behalf of this
measure. I"
Judge Edgerton will remain at home
until after the spring term of court
when he expects to return to Washing
4 ton.
Receiver L. w. Miller, of the Huron
land office expects to go to Washington
about March lst.
/.