Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1888-12-06
The Call for q Mass Convention
Attracts q Large Number
Of Delegates.
Enthusiasm Manifested at Every
Turn Over the Prospect Of
Ad mission.
FIX Gov. Pierce Chosen Chairman
Varying Opinions as to
Convent1on's Action.
The Feeling Last Night.

The Feeling Last Night.
There were about seventy five delegates
in the city last night, and convention talk
was general and to the point. Three
propositions will be presented to this
convention
First-trhe calling of d constitutional
convention for North Dakota.
Second The passage of a memorial
| for an extra session of congress.
Third-Ihe calling of an inter terrlto-
rial convection OF the four northwestern
territories two Dakotas, Montana
and Washington-for the purpose OF
for admission.
Every delegate is enthusiastically in
favor Of statehood as quick as possible.
But, dis might be expected there is a
difference Of opinion as to the best meth
od to insure the speedy accomplishment
I Of tnHt end. The opinions as to the
proper work OF this convention, are wide
| y divorginr. Tie representatives Of the
Missouri slope counties, who hold ont for
cgisl4tiye authority for the constitution
a. convention, say make haste sloNly,'
and caution the delegates against ''un-
due and unlyni1ied haste They take
tho ground that admission cannot he at
tanned before December (lS9[O and that
as the legislature meets within 80 Gavs.
the convention should not take it Gpon
ITSELF 10 call constitutional convention;
tn, framing OF constitution is an i'm
port&nt affair and should not be hastily
done. On the other hand 1T is alleged
that there is I: strong congressional dis
Position towards speedy admission ana
the sentiment is freely expressed that any
action which VIII prepare rs % take adj
vantage Of that disposition is commend
able and any failure t. do 81 reprehen>i-
BILE Those holding this view, take the
ground that an extra session OF congress
| will be called and admission accorded
next March, and that delay IS therefore
dangerous. They favor the Immediate
calling Of a constitutional conven-
ton, denying that the legislature. which
is the creature of the people, has any
more authority to call such convention
than mass convention of the people,
themselves. and say further that prompt
and decisive action is imperatively de-
manded. The delegates are practically
unanimous on every point except the
calling OF this convention. Their differ
ences on this point are honest and Spring
! from the uncertainty OF congressional
action. When the constitutional con-
vention question is raised this afternoon
long and interesting discussion will un-
doubtedly result. The delegates on the
ground last night were about evenly
divided on this point.
Among the things which it can safely
| be asserted the convention will do
are the passage of memorial for an
extra session Of congress and the calling
of an inter-terrtorial convention or the
taking Of some action in reference there
to. There is some objection to the inter-
territorial convention on account of the
! disadvantage Ola winter meeting and the
expense to delegates attending but it
seems likely that such convention will be
culled, probably for Helena. II such
be not called separate conventions and
appointment OF a joint committee from
the northwestern territories to take
charge of their statehood interests at
Washington will be recommendec}
HOW II LOCKED THIS MORNING.
The Ked River Valley delegation al
| rived abont nine o'clock on No. /, and
then the cancuslng began. Cass county
has the largest delegation OF any county.
and their action, If united, Will probably
decide the course o. the convention.
They met at / | O'clock for the purpose of
to map out line OF action for the con-
yantion. As usual the delegation was
divided and it failed to accomplish any
thing except the appointment Of an adv
sorry committee. consisting OF AIesars.
! Spa!duc, Campbell and Stone of Fargo,
/ Lynch of Casseltou, and Dawson Of
! Wheat!and. which was ipstTu2ted to look
! the field over and report at another eau,
Gus 10 be held at y O'Clock The majors
/ ty of the Fargo and Grand Forks da}c-
/ gates favor Gen. Ward Of Grand Forks.
for chairman. The Missouri slope Will
probably present the name OF Tx Grow,
Pierce.
These Rcd Rlver Valley people came
uere wItholt any settled views, and the
majority profess to he open to conviction.