St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-26
The Aberdeen Memorial Pre-
sented to the Committee
on Territories.
Mr.. Johnson Makes a Great
Plea for Admission as a o1.
Whole. ~,
The Grand Army Bill Reported
Favorably to the
Senate. -
Society Events at the National
Capital--Personal a 6
Mention. .r.,i,
Special to the Globe.


Special to the Globe. iyb3i.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-The house
committee on territories this morning at
IL o'clock gave hearing to the
memOrialist, from the Aberdeen con-
yentiOn. The proceedings Of that con-
ventiOn and the memorial adopted were
presented to the committee by l.. G..
Johnson. who was accompanied by Col.
f. A. Gale, Col. William Thompson,
Hon. c. r. Mccoy, Hon. o. S. Clifford,
John III. King, Joseph Kelley and E. w.
LOeae. The entire time was occupied
by Mr.. johnson, who presented a review
of the matter with arguments for the
admission of the whole territory undi-
vided. He expressed warm
approval of the bill now
in the committee, which was
introduced by Chairman Springer, and
stated that the people OF DOkOta desire
admission as whole. The recent vote
of the territory upon the question of di-
vision developed the fact that only thir-
teen counties gave majOrities for diviS-
ion, and those counties are in the
stronghold of the politicians who look
for plumS in the event of the admission
VI bouIi Idhotd, anu VIC idISe CltleS
are located in these counties. He was
frequently interrupted by members of
the committee, who asked ques-
tiOnS which were Immediately
and promptly answered. He stated
that at time when the citizens
of Dakota were obliged to travel thou
sand or more miles, using railroads
which are outside the territory. and TAX
ing circuitOuS routes to go from point to
point, there was a sentiment in favor of
division. But the railroads have
changed that sentiment. Now it is pos
sible to travel all over the territory
without going outside, and the people
are thus brought within easier access of
each other and do not want to be d.
vided. A mans hand can almost cover
that portion of the map which voted for
| division. 1t is
A FRACTIONAL SECTION
and under the domination of political
ring of selfish and Self-aggrandiZing pol
iticianS. To cOuntreact this movement
the people rose and called convention,
which met at Aberdeen and deliberated
upon the subject and expressed a pop
ular sentiment. This delegation has
come here to ask this congress to pre-
| vent the spoilsmen from throttling the
people, and compelling them to submit
to the advancement and political eleva-
ton of partisan politicians, who
of the people. but only in their
| advancement for corrupt ends. Mr..
johnson was eloquent and convincing.
He showed conclusively to the minds of
| the committee that great wrongs had
been practiced upon Dakota by causing
| erroneous opinions to prevail here con-
| corning her desires and condition. Re
ferring to the alleged constitutional
convention of Sioux Falls and at
tempted organization Of state at
! Huron, he informed the committee
| that the persons who instigated
and controlled these movements
/ thought of the good of Dakota nor of
the welfare of her people. but thought
elevation to seats in the United States
senate and house of representatives.
the gOvernorship of their state and other
| Offices should be distributed in the state
| if formed. Referring to the Harrison
Henderson bill, he characterized it as
containing exactly the opposite of what
Dakota citizens want. the very
ANTIPODES OF THEIR REAL SENTI-
| MENTS
and everything repugnant to what is
really desirable for the best interests of
the territory. 1t is alleged, and will be
stated by the opposition, that the Aber-
deem convention was inspired from
Washington. That is a Islander, and a
malicious assault upon the intelligence
of the people of Dakota, and libel
upon the character of any one in
Washington who shows an inter-
est in Dakota. There is nothing
in it except unfounded assertion.
1t is not susceptible of proof, has no
basis other than malice and political
chicanery. Assertions without proof
have been made again and again to the
injury of individuals and the detriment
of the territory. The committees and
house should give no heed to this asSer-
ton, and if made officially before the
committee. should be cOrnered by de-
mand for substantiatiOn either by testi-
mOny, oral or affidavits. Probably moth
ing in all his work for Dakota has
redOunded more to his credit than
the strong and fOrcible statement made
by MI. Johnson to-day before the house
committee. The speaker pro tenn, Hon.
5. 5. Cox, was present. and afterward
expressed his qualification at having
been so interested and informed upon
the important topics presented, and
members of the committee of both par
ties voted to have the remarks printed
in the official record, as well as the me
mortal and other documents presented
Other members of the delegation eX
with the manner in which their case haC
been presented.
ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION.
Our Ports and Water Routes Dis