Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-06-20


tories in question and submitted for ac-
ceptance or rejection at the time of a
presidential election. The sentiment in
Dakota is that this measure is merely a
piece OF time-wasting scheming.
The critical nature of the present sit
uation is indicated by the issuance of a
call for statehood convention, to be
held in Huron, Dakota, judy 10. The
purpose OF this convention is to consider
what steps are necessary to secure the
speedy admission Of the two states as
North and South Dakota. This conven-
ton is called mainly as preparation
for the election of territorial delegates
and Legislators, which is held in the fall
In the nominations for that election,
and in the election itself, the division
and admission of the territory will be
made the sole issue, and the convention
of next month will be devoted to the
formation of plan Of campaign to Sc
cure the desired results at the time of
the election. Calls have also been is
sued by the farmers and business men,
the clergy, the press and the bar Of Da-
kota, for conventions of their respective
callings, also to be held in Huron on the
two days Immediately following the
statehood convention.
AS well as can be judged from SO dis
tant a point as this, the merits Of the
question seem very clear and plain.
Dakota has pushed forward to u place Of
such prominence and Importance as to
be clearly entitled to the rights of state
hood As wheat growing region Da-
kota has won worldwide fame, and now
holds sixth place in the list of wheat
growing states and territories, with
yield of B2,500,000 bushels last year,
against 30,700,000 bushels in 1886, and
945 bushels in 1860. The population
of the territory has grown from 4,S37 in
1860 to 100000 at the beginning of the
present year. and in points of illiteracy
and crin1o the showing is far superior to
those of many of the old states. The
expenditures for public schools have in
creased from 500, 500 in 1876 to $1,814,-
600 in 1887. The ratio of prisoners to
population is less in Dakota than in any
other state or territory, being only one
to 1888. This is a good showing in
comparison with one to 437 in Massa-
chusetts, one to SIT in New York, one to
923 in Illinois, or one to 2,210 in Indi-
ana.
1t is not the purpose of this article to
dilate upon the advantages or resources
of Dakota but merely to emphasize the
merits of the struggle for statehood now
apparently approaching critical point.
IF Dakota is to be admitted to the Union,
and there seems to, be no reasonable ar
gument to the contrary, then it should
be as two separate and distinct states.
There are but two states of greater area
and California and the argu-
ments are strongly in favor of two states
of n.area of $4,000 square miles each,
rather than one of double that SIZE
Dakota as it now stands is as large as
New York.. Pennsylvania and all New
England, or 10000 square miles larger
than Great Britain and ireland. More
over and perhaps the most potent rea-
son-the interests and industries of
North and South Dakota are widely di-
vergent in their character. Northern
Dakota is almost exclusively wheat
raising district, while the farm products
of the southern portion are much more
diversified and the industries of greater
rarity. It issim the southern half of the
territory that the famous Black Hills are
situated, and their rich gold and silver
mines have yielded upwards Of $4,000
600 in the precious metals during the
past decade. 1t is most reasonably be-
heved that division Of this vast terri
tory would result in great advantage to
its citizens, and there seems to. be no
just reason why they should be longer
debarred the rights and privileges Of
statehood. American N. x. Banker.
Read H Stein 4 Cos card in another
column, the popular druggists.