Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-05-22

l y
nored.
We now appeal from the arbitrary de-
cree OF congress to the American people.
Herewith is our case:
| We are 600, 900.
We represent that we are
| Intelligent.
| industrious.
| Energetic.
Enterprising.
| Moral.
| Loyal.
We have never been charged with in
| capacity for self government.
Our territory contains $50 900 square
miles.
| Every acre is fertile and productive.
Our climate is healthy, inyIgoratinp
and salubrious.
An immense population is assured.
Dakota ls four tirsc5 as large as Ohio.
We ask that it be divided into two
states OF equal size.
We ask that these states be called
North Dakota and South Dakota.
We ask this because the present ter
ritory is
Too large for convenient government
as one state.
Because our people desire to be near
| their own government.
That they may supervise it's eetions.
That it may be held responsible to
them.
We ask it because we desire an equal
representation in congress with other
states.
We ask il because we wish to have ade-
quete representation in our state legis-
| latures.
| We ask it because small states are
governed cheaper than extremely large
ones.
| We ask it because north Dakota and
soSth Dakota are naturally separate
Communities.
| We ask it because the natural separa-
tion has been augmented
| By the lines OF travel,
| By the legislation of twenty years.
By the location of public institutions,
BY the will OF the people,
And recognized by all benevolent,
religious and political organizations.
We further ask that both nesth and
south Dakota be admitted at once.
These just requests have besn refused
and ignored by congress.
We are oppressed and suffer great
hardships because OF the inaotion oi
1 congress III QUIZ case.
These are our grievances:
/ We are dlsfranchised,
We are permitted no voice in select
ing our rulers,
Our governors,
| Our judges.
Even our clerks Of court
And many other officials
Are appointed by the federal power.
/ Tvp s.h =
arbitrary officials are thrust upon us.
The present democratic governor is
thus arreigned by his party associates in
delegate convention at Watertown
south Dakota. May 2d, 1888:
his own benefit"
"He has called to his council horde of mack.
1 eral trnders."
He has welded his executive club over the
legislature by threatening to veto certain bills.
and and by promising to approve bills with iobs il
"He is boor totally unqualified to appre
oiate the wants of free people,"
l His administration has been unrelieved by
"a continuation of his sutacracy viii ieay,
/ trievable."
He il an insurance broker"
de In q iobber in potsrial comnlissiens.n
So say his party friends after serious
| delibe alton.
Imagine the views OF his political op-
ponents.
We are taxed without representation
We annually pay hundreds OF thou
sands OF dollars in internal revenue.
| We az nuslly pay hundreds OF thous-
ands OF dollars to the postoffioe depart.
ment.
! We are permitted no voice in the ex-
penditure of this money.
We pay heavy taxes for the support o,
our public institutions.
These taxes are expended by boards
OF commissioners appointed by fedora
i officials.
| We pay heavy taxs to support on,
schools.
| While we are not permitted to sell ar
acre OF our vast domain OF school lands
to Tighten our burdens.
We are deprived of justice.
Our courts are notoriously inadequate
Men charged with crime are denied
speedy trials.
Sometimes they are confined in iaiI,
from one TO two years,
Il Only to be found innocent when tried
i Civil casee are SO far behind that mer
will suffer any sacrifice
4 Rather than risk cause In court.
But six judges are provided for oul
o st territory and population,
And con gress will give as no more.
Civil cas- es five years old stand on on,
calendars untned,
And litigants have constantly olamor.
ed for trial.
Il Why are these thinRa permitted to be
i Simply because we are republicans.
| This is the head and front OF our of
Tending,
4 For this our requests are sighted.
Il For this our grievances are made The
sport Of the house OF representatives.
For this VIC are subjected to alI man.
ner OF political oppression.
Hear us further:
I, The republicans in congress have uset
every effort for our relief.
The democrats in congress have be
stowed every effort to keep us in oui
present condition.
i They announce openly that they dt
not propose to admit two republican
states.
| And in truth they never Intend Il
admit one.
One recognized democratic leade,
recently declared that congress- can, al