Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-11-24
STATEHOOD.

STATEHOOD.
History OF the Efforts Of South
Dakota.
Herewith is q brief sketch ofthe South
Dakota statehood history. 1t is of par
ticular interest at this time as showing
the process by which North Dakota may
como into the Union:
For many years, as will moro fully be
shown hereinafter, Congress has been.
petitioned by the territorial legislative
assembly to divide the territory upon or
near the forty-sixth parallel OF north
latitude, and since the census of 1880 to
pass an enabling act for the south por-
ton.
In the winter Of 1892, large number
OF the prominent citizens oft he territory,
from both sections thereof, being dele
gated thereto by their respective COM
munities, visited the City of Washing
ton and urged upon congress the passage
of an act enabling the people OF, South
Dakota to form constitution and state
government, preparatory to admission
into the Union, and continuing the ter
ritorial organization for the northern
part. Such an act was at that session
favorably reported to their respective
houses from the committees on terri
tories of the senate and house of repre-
sentatives, but was not finally acted
upon In either.
At the next session OF tho territorial
legislative assembly, in the winter of
1898, bill passed both houses with
practical unanimity. providing for and
calling a constitutional convention, to
frame and submit to the people for rati-
fioation. or rejection, constitution for
South Dakota. The bill reaching the
executive to Late in the session to secure
his approval, or its return, before the
close. was withheld by him, and thus
failed to become law. Shortly after
such failure. a committee was formed to
call preliminary convention to con-
slider the advisability OF calling and
holding constitutional convention, az
contemplated by the bill withheld and
defeated by the executive. Such pre-
liminary convention was called, and
held at the city of Huron in June, 1888,
aud was composed of oyer three hun
dred delegates, representative men Of
both political faiths, duly selected by the
people OF the respective counties. That
convention remained in session several
days. and unanimously united in cali
ing constitutional convention, to be
held at Sioux Falls in September Of the
same year, (lsss) composed of ono hun
dred and fifty delegates to be elected by
the people by ballot. under the forms
provided by law for ordinary elections.
Congress having failed to act, an ex-
ecutiye appointed from abroad, and not
In accord with the people, haying de-
featod the legal measure passed by their
representatives In the legislative asse,n-
bly,, nothing was left for action but the
procedure, originating with, and carried
forward by, tho people concerned. act
ing In their primary capacity.
Such election was held, delegates
were regularly elected, consisting Of
Democrats and Republicans. They as
sembled at the place and time named,
remaining in session sixteen days
framed q constitution which was sub
mitted to the electors at the November,
1888, election. and by them ratified, and
through committee provided by the
convention, the constitution was at the
session OF 1884 submitted to congress
and admission hereunder asked fo,
South Dakota. Bills were submitted tC
both houses of congress for this pur.
pose. but as is generally understood, be-
cause the convention was held and Tho
elections were conducted, without being
clothed Will, the authority Of law o
the territory, the friends of Dakota
therein preferred the passage of al
enabling act. with which conclusion
Dakota was content, and tho result o
this effort was the passage of an enabling
act through the senate. not acted upol
in the house.
territorial legislative assembly, in Feb.
ruary, 1888, with the same unanimity
which has characterized all legislativ,
assemblies. and all gatherings of tn,
representatives of the people, whethe
for the whole of the territory or for tina
portion more Immediately concerned
upon this subject, another act was
passed calling Il constitutional conven
tion for South Dakota, and the then ex
eeutiye being in full accord with til,
manifest wish of the people, approved
the same. That act is found in session
laws Of Dakota, 1885, page 81. Al
election for delegates was held there
under, who duly assembled at the tim
and place appointed therein, Scptcmbe
8, 1885, at Sioux Falls, remained in ses
sion eighteen days, framed and sub
mitted to vote Of the people the con
stitution now presented, which wa
ratified at the regular November eiec
tion by vote Of 25,226 for; to G,56
against.
Such. in brief. is :. HISTORY of u,
efforts Of the people of that portion c
Dakota south of the forty-sixth parable
Of north latitude. aided by their breth
: rem in the north portion as occasio
Offered. to form constitution and stat
government, and gain admission int
the Union of states.
More than four years of persister
effort, conducted in all the ways open t
them, ought to conyince the most skier
tical OF the earnest desire of Dakota
citizens to be clothed with tho power {
self government.