Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-12-11

eSASN Va
vantages and disadvantages of admission
under the Sioux Falls constitution. The
Press urges the Sioux Falls constitution
as it is, against oil contingencies, seem
ing Go prefer it to anything in the con.
stitntional line that might be construc-
ted. It's best reason for adhering to that
document is that it may be made the
means OF Fastening statehood, Placing
it upon that ground the Press and Dako-
tsian agrees fully with the Sioux Falls
Press. Bat if South Dakota cannot gain
time by admission under the Sioux Falls
constitution, or If admission is TO be re-
tarded by the proposed process under
the Sioux Falls constitution bill, the
Press and Dakotaian does not agree
with the Sioux Falls Press. We have
endeavored to make our position clear,
bat have either failed or the Press does
not wish TO recognizs the position. The
situation is this:
The Platt bill, (Which is the Sioux
Falls constitution bill with some
ohanges) if not passed by the present
(iftieth) oongreas, dies,
II not passed ct special spring SEES
sion Of the next (fity-frst) congress, the
Platt bill will como up as new business
at the December, 1889, session of the
fifty first congress and take Its turn in
the regular order OF procedure, the
usual course occupying several months
of time. After il hes passed both houses
OF congress and received the signature of
the president, it must be re. submitted to
me voters of Dakota for the ratification
Of certain changes made by congress In
the Sioux Falls constitution. Before all
this conld be accomplished the year 1890
will have grown cid.
The Press and Dakotaian claims that
in case the fiftieth congress does not
pass the Plats bill and special session
OF the ffty-frst congress does
pass the Platt bill (or its equlvalent)
South Dakota can gain time by creating
and ratifying new constitution prior
to the Deoember, 1889, SESSION OF the
fifty first congress. Such constitution
can include the changes the Platt bill
proposes TO submit to the people and as
soon as congress passes affirmativeiy
upon it South Dakota will bs state.
We would thereby gain just the length
OF time it would take to submit to vote
of the people OF Dakota the measure
after il had been enacted by congress.
A bill embodyIng new constitution,
fully adopted and ratified by the people
OF Dakota before its passage need not be
sent back to the people after passage for
ratification. The final act in such case
would be the acl Of congress.
The Sioux Falls Press honestly and
coasclentiously questions the adviss-
bility of new constitution under any
contingency. The Press and Dakotaian
honestly and conscienticusly asserts the
advisability OF new constitution, pro-
yided statehood can be more speedily
achieved thereby. or provided there will
be no loss of time through such course.
This appears 20 be the point of differ
ence,
Tue Press argues that congress- will be
much moro liable to give attention to
the old (Piast> bill than to new one.
This is O mere assertion. There can
exist no evidence pertaining to future
event. The congress will be new con-
gress and will be as familiar with new
bill as with en- old one. Besides, its
chief prospective specially will be the
admission of Dakota into the union.
The creation of new constitution would
not involve any startling changes from
| the old document or increase Its profund-
ity to q bewildering extent. A bill for
admission under new constitution
| would be about the same IN construction
and text as the existing Platt bill.
The Press argues that if q new consti-
tuition is broaehed the tdoor will be
opened to clamor for changes in ell the
varied and nmerable particulars
which diverse interests could suggest"
Would this occur2 We think not. But
If it would, then by all means let ne
have new constitution The people
do not clauor to change
something that is good into
something that is bad. They Siamor
rather for the destruction OF q bad en-
aotment and the substitution OF good
enactment. The people in their aover-
eign capacity are always right, and if
the Sioux Falls Press is correct in its
fears (though we do not believe it Is)
that fact is q sufficient argument agains.
the Sioux Fall constitution and oil the
arguments that paper has constructed
for its pefpetuasion. This is the peoples
constitution. They have right to do
with it as they choose.
The Sioux Falls constitution apears to
be generally satisfactory document
1t contains only few provisions that
are not satisfactory and those few provi-
sions could advan.ageoasiy be corrected
II it ia found that by making new con-
stitntion statehood could be expedited
or need not be delayed. II is not an
unusual occurrence for states to alter
their constitutions. Even the eons:itu-
tion of the United States has been sub
jected TO numerous amendments. A
J constitutional convention is never infal,