St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-16
The Constitutional Convention and State
Legislature of Dakota in Session
at Huron.
Yesterday Spent Mainly in Bfscting An
Organization of These Two
Gatherings.
Gov. Me11ette's NJ essage Presented to
Both Houses Early in the
Evening.
The Case Stated at Length, and Rea-
sons Given for the Action
Already Taken.
Special to the Globe,


addressing the convention he recommended
careful but emphatic action, advising some
conciliation in order to secure what is so
greatly desired, statehood. A committee OF
nine was appointed to confer with joint
committee of both branches of the
legislature and perfect a plan Of action
to be considered by the legislature
and constitutional convention. This CON-
mttee, with President Edgerton and Gov.
Mellette, were in session most of the after
noon, but will not present a report till
some time tomorrow. They will, how
ever, recommend the repeal of the restrain
ing clause and advise the fixing of the time
for state organization to assume selfgUv-
ernment. Nothing special was done IN
either branch Of the legislature, action be-
ing deferred till the report Of the
conference committee is ready. Lieut..
Gov. Frank not being present Secretary
Drake called the senate to order, when an
adjournment was taken till 3 in the after
noon. at that time Henry Neill, of Big
Stone City. was chosen president pro
TEN. Speaker Eddy called the
house to order at noon. MIR.
Dow, of Brown county took the oath as
representative, when recess was taken
till o'clock this afternoon. On motion,
MesSrS. Shannon, French, Wardell, Treat
and ThorSon were appointed as conference
committee, and the house adjourned till
this evening. Upon reassembling IN the
evening Gov. Mellette
DELIVERED HIS MESSAGE. SAYING:
Upon your last adjournment you were
hopeful that ere this Dakota would have been
assigned her proper place in the union OF
states. Having done your duty well you re-
lied upon the American congress to do hers.
IL that you have been disappointed The
committee provided Ey the twenty-sixth sec
tiOn of the ordinance and schedule TO
present the constitution, after ratl-
fcation by the people, to the preSi-
dent and congressman OF the United
States, and the request for the admission of
the state into the union, consisting Of your
governor, representatives to congress, Hons.
o. S. Clifford and T. ID. KanOuse, and the duly
chosen senators to the United States, Hons.
Alonzo J. Edgerton and Gideon C.. Moody, and
Hon. John H. Drake, duly accredited repre-
sentative of the state executive committee,
dnring the month Of January Last, faithfully
discharged their duty by presenting the
constitution to the president and the proper
committee of the two houses OF congress,
remaining during the month Of February
hnd urging your request with energy and
ability. The president received the commit
tee courteousy and patiently, but declined
to express an opinion or take action touching
the executive through the channels OF leglS-
ton. The committee on territories warmly
espoused our cause, and its chairman, Hon.
Benjamin Harrison, is especially deserving
the thanks of the people of the state Of Da-
kota, having brought mis- Cntiring energy and
pre-eminent ability aud learning to Your Sc
vice and ably supported by many senators
distinguished for ability and patriotism. y
bill was passed by the senate during the
month of February admitting the state of Da-
kota into the Union. The bill was transmit
ted to the house of representatives and
REFERRED TO THE TERRITORIAL COMMITTEE,
a majority of whom refused to entertain the
request and in their hands the bill still re-
mains and will doubtless expire with the
present congress. In the discussion evoked
by its passage through the senate the honor
able member from South Carolina, in his 10y
atty to the Union, denounced your
action in creating q state government
without the prior consent of congress as un-
warranted and revolutionary. He declared
that congress might lawfully refuse any ad-
ditional admission, that the senate might lind
it unwise to permit an increase OF its num-
bers and conclude to perpetuGte the condi-
ton Of the people Of the present territories as
vaSSals | cannot believe ;hat these views are
entertained by any great numbers OF the
poli tical cOmpeers of this gentleman of dis
tinguished loyalty from this distinguished
lOyal state, aud hence the subject does not re-
ouire serious consideration mere. But there
were to YOUR committee utterances of grave
potency coming from the senate chamber OF
the United States. Upon no occasion did there
reach the ears Of your committee any criticism
or objection to your constitution, the wisdom
ard craftsmanship Of which was everywhere
conceded Your committee, however, found
q determined resistance to the admission of
Dakota on the part of the dominant political
party of the nation, based upon Il solely par
tisan reason The same reason intensified
LIVING iOT1 md
considerations do not enter into the reasons
that exist why the territory Of Dakota should
never be formed into
SINGLE STATE,
and the movement for division and admission,
snaugurated and conducted by the united
sentiment of the people, regardless or party
Affiliations. and it will be after many long
wears that this people will either fOreswear or
pledge their fealty from or to any party or
policy in order to obtain recognition OF their
sacred rights. They are not anxious to ex-
change one kind of slavery for another more
degraded. They desire to assume the
responsibility for their own local govern
ment, intended for their own welfare, and
also that greater and higher responsibility
arising from their new relation to the federal
union. This they do with
inst and full conception of the
obligations imposed and the patriotic purpose
to faithfully discharge them without evasion
Or reservation. and pledging their fortunes,
and. if need be, their lives to the perpetuity
of their common country. Notwithstanding
past reyerses, so great is my falth
{n the almighty force of the enlightened SEN
fipeaI of Justice prevailing in this age, that
can but hope, upon calm deliberation, that
the popular house of congress will vet con-
cade your request which it admits to be rea-
rouable since il must occur to them that an
unreoulted wrong to any citizen is blow at
the rights OF every citizen and state. If con-
preSS in iIS discretion shall
DIVIDE THE TERRITORIAL DOMAIN
an or near the present boundary line of the
etate. ipsuring us our statehood in the end,
and if this division is made subject to ap-
nroval by the ballot of the people. l will well
come this solution of the problem and cheer
fulIv accept the new situation. We can
-ford to defer statehood, but we
Snnst be assured OF division, and
t,ntii If is DONE and not simply promised,
nDtiI we have actions and not mere words,
t11a etafe government should be maintained
ana he placed in opposition TO any subse-
lent effort to exercise the right Of statehood
1,iThin the domain with al the Yieor given
~ our peerhood in citizenship and
Py Pyi+y in statehood / would urge you to
49, - step backward in the work commit
"a 1c vo1p care and with each succeeding
Sjscouragemept renew your courage from an
abiding faith in the ultimate trIImpa oI JUS
7ioe You have already sacrlnced much'
anS ore ready to sacrifice more. One para
o,,nt duty Of this general assembly
is in nv opinion to provide by law for cleo
80 70 Ali vacancies in Office UNDER the COM
stitution, and this alone l deem sufficient
apology for your conyocation, Beyond @ spns tnlS
T.nr proper action is debateaDle, ana snan
ggr5t II the conflict of opinion to develop the
t:ollrse OF wisdom.
THAs THE RIGHT
IAesire to reafirm my belief in the aoso-
,,,te and UNQUALIFIED lawful right of the state
nf 6akota 10 maintain local government:
Tben. if an existing right. there must exlsl M
..,nans oF enforcing il, so far as may be done
fspN+ interfering with the existing