Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-01-21
HON. BILL SPRINGER.
Spec1mens Of H1s craftsmanship
-Dakotans at Work.

"
NJ. Springer, of Illinois, will introduce
his Oklahoma bill, or rcnort it rather, at
the first opportunity. lilo says this, and
seems to lie inclined to boast OF his Prov
ess In making territories. a little Of his
surplus energy and ability, if directed
to the making Of states, lnsteld of new
territories, might. better DO appreciated
in Dakota. MIR. Springer has steadily
been an obstacle to tho ambition and
hopes Of Dakota. He is to,ay like 81
robbcr baron standing athwart the high
way of civilization and enlightenment
with Procrustean club to destroy and
mutllate all who advance along the
thoroughfare of Capitalization and pow
er, unless they bend the knee to tho Illi-
nois Baal. and crlnginsly kiss the hem OF
ms alleged intellectual garment, His
bill for the creation of a territory out OF
No Mans Land, will consume much of
the valuable time OF the committee on
territories, and also the time Of tho house.
1t can never become u law. 1t is un-
necessary. Then, his bill for tho admis-
sion OF the states of Dakota, Montana.
Idaho and Washington, is an obstructive
measure and clnno: pass. 1t was in
tended during tho last session of con-
gress as q foil to Dakota, and Mr.. Sprin-
ger SO stated attor congress adjourned.
Probably no man in Washington has had
u higher regard for Mr.. Springer, per-
soially, than your correspondent, until
/ within tho nlSt tv.n x,nor. ,,optt,o,, ~,
concealed development Of his opposition
to Dakota's advancement into statehood
y former liking and admiration have
turned to dislike and almost aversion.
Hence, tho readers of this column MAY
mako sotne allowances for what ovcr
may he said concerning Mr.. Springer
which is uncomplimentary. The wrongs
OF Dakota are SO many; they have been
endured so long; her best efforts haye
been met with insult: her rights hayc
been so ruthlcs,ly trampled upon; her
ablest mon have been ignored and
abnsea: and it is probably p%ardonable in
Il friend OF tho empire to unwittingly
acquire Il personal bias against any man
who unblustingly stands forth in the
national legislature as her foe. That is
and has boon the attitude of Mr.. Sprin-
ger. n tho people should know The fact,
and it is stated with as little degree of
antipathy as is possible unlor the cir
cumstalces.
Ii is Il pleasure to note that John II.
King is doing good and effective work
for the measure which so greatly inter
ests the people along tho river and in tho
Hills. When MIR. King camc here he
was not fully equipped for the work IN
hand. and his movements were clron-
cled. During the past week he has been
indefatigablc in his efforts to further the
chances Of tho bill Tor the opening of the
Sioux reservation. Mr.. King is a pleas
ant talkcr, possesses tho attraction ola
good II and figure, supplemented with
gracetllness and sllavity Ofmanncrs. IIo
uses his gifts and requirements elective
Nv, II very earnestly. TO your cor-
rospondent.he said, toiay: "I want to
impress upon your mind and upon tho
mind of everyone with whom T con.n in
contact, the sincere fact that / am dead
in earnest about This initter, deeply IN
teroslcd i'll it. and disposed To trca. every
one with fairness and consideration, I
think you can well understand that |
can better afford to cMiyratc to China
and sever all ties of former friendships
and hopes, than to make any mistakes
which might injure this measure. If ]
should do so, 1 could not so back to Da-
kota and hold my head up. Honcc, YOU
can readily sec that there can be no pos
siblo disposition ON my part to do other
than the fair and honest thing hy overy-
body. II I mako any mistakes, you
must charge it up MS an error OF the hoad
and not OF the heart" 1t is, us I said
aboyc. Il pleasure 10 state that he is max.
ing no mistakes, but OIL tho contrary is
making friends tor himself aud for the
measure every day. Hon. John J..
klciner, it mood scarcely DO said, is sim
ilarly i'll earnest; and. by reason of his
great experience rs we'll as native abii-
ity, he is succeeding in every cndeavor.
rho prospects for tho opening of the
reservation has never been better Than
now. The expression of regret that Nc
Clure is not yet in Washington is general,
and oft repeated. Mr.. Peal, the chair
man of tho committee to whose keeping
the bill is entrusted, frequently speaks of
Mcclure and always with great respect
and admiration. The well-known friend
ship of you correspondent for Mcclure,
might load tho reader to suspect II bias
in his favor; but the fact is us stated,
that there is a general desire here for his
presence and assistance in the matter
now that it is in such excellent shaDx.
Noeifort should be spared in tbs matter.
and no personal Inconvenience can OK
cuse the failure Of every man to do his
whole duty.
The designation of Hon. Q. s. Clifford
as II OF the n.elnbcrs of Tho committee
on territories is one Of the best things
that Speaker Carlisle has even done for
Dakota. Mr.. Clifford is alert, interested
and energetic i'll all matters pertaining
to tho welfare of tho territory. My.
W. Il. Bierly, Of Grand Forks, has been
here for several days looking after the
interests OF that thriving trade center
He said this morning: lam delighted
TO find Mr.. Clifford placed where he is
and to receive his interested aid III the
work before me. He has been more than
kind and considcratc and l like him.
Mr.. Clifford has been suffering consider
ably with his ewes. recently. having bean