Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-11-28

Inere Is problem DeIore the peupio
shall we of South Dakota seek admis
sion under the Sioux Falls constitution
of 1885, or shall we create new consti-
tutioB. In the decision the element
of time is an important ingredient. II
we can become state more quickly
under the Sioux Falls constitution than
under a new constitution, the majority
will say let us take the Sioux Falls con-
stitution. But can we? Clearly we can
if q special session OF congress takes
affirmative action upon the admission Of
South Dakota. II there is no special ses-
sion of congress we can the more readily
achieve statehood under new constitu-
tion than under the old one. The ques-
tions upon which the decision of the
public hinges therefore are, will there be
q special session OF congress? and will
that special session adopt the bill which
re-submits to vote OF the people the
the Sioux Falls constitution? II this
bill is enacted we can hold our ratifioa-
tion election early in the spring and
shortly afterwards can become a state
by presidential proclamation.
Should the project for special ses-
sion fail, or should the special session
neglect to pass the Dakota bill, then She
bill providing for admission under the
Sioux Falls constitution will 60 over
until the December, 1889, session OF
congress. Some time during that ses-
sion it will become law-perhapt
early in 1890. It must then be acted
upon by the people of Dakota at ar
election and il ratified further action
must emanate from Washington. So al
the earliest we can not hope for admis-
sion under the Sioux Falls constitution
without favorable action by special
session OF congress, before the fall oi
1S90-nearly two years hence,
There is much quicker method. On
territorial legislature can provide TO
two constitutional conventions {nortt
and south) to be held earl.
in the spring. The constitution
for South Dakota adopted at such con-
yention can be ratified by the people a
the November election and at the sue
ceeding December QSS9) meeting o.
congress statehood to South Dakota cal
be confirmed under that constitution
BY this method year would be gainet
ever the proposed Sioux Falls oonstitu
tion plan.
In either event we are decidedly of th'
opinion that large majority of the peo
pie of South Dakota will demand new
election of state, congressional snG
senatorial officers. The officers choseS
In 1885 were put forward for specific
purpose-tbat of organizing the state
which they failed to fulfill. Some foul
years have elapsed SINCE they were
placed in positions where they might be
come officials of the state. In the in
tervening four years thousands of new
people have settled in Dakota, who hsc
uo soioo Al shO c1SCsAOhs 1ii shOoC Va
ficers we're elected for the state of Da
kota with the forty-sixth parallel for it,
north boundary line, whereas under tht
senate bill now pending in the huus.
land under any other bill that may bs
passed) the name OF the state will b,
South Dakota and its north boundary
line Will be the seventh STANDARD
parallel. The state as it will be is there
fore state different in form aDi
name from the state for which
the officers OF 1885 were elected. AL
these considerations will surely impe
the people to ask for new election
whether their state is admitted unde
the Sioux Fells constitution or new
constitution.
We have endeavored to keep as peal
to the wishes OF the people as possibl.
in this argument. Our remarks are di
rooted by correspondence, by interviews
by questions propounded and answered
and we believe we have given an accu
rate rejection Of prevailing public sen.i
ment upon this important topic.