Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-11-26
THE STATEHOOD ROUTE.

An Extra session OF Congress the Most
speedy and Certain Way TO secure
Admission.
f. A. Oarle's Indianapolis letter to
st. Paul Pioneer Press, S3i; My i'm
preston that the straight and speedy
path to statehood for the four north
western territories lies through strong
concerted action on their part. looking
to the calling of an extra session OF con-
gress next March, is strengthened by the
development of events. "The admission
of o territory isn't as easy as falling off a
log" said shrewd observer OF things
political in discussing this question with
me yesterday. People who have tried it
know how true this is. A great many
interests are to be consulted, a good
many persons placsted, and deal OF
opposition, open and secret, overcome. :.
The president-elect isn't Russian czar
and can't admit territories by edict. his
election has made statehood possible for
the two Uskotas, Montana and Wash
lDgton. 1t remains for the people OF
those territories to realizs the possi-
bilities thus opened TO them. They have
had their season OF rejoicing of shouting
and marchiDg; OF speech making and
band playing over the election of Harrl-
son. They realize, no doubt, that such
proceedings are agreeable, but not fruit
ful, and are probably about ready by this
time to go to work to reap the practical
| results Of their victory.
trust she Dakotas put no faith in
| the seductive hope held out to them
from Bismarck and Washington OF adj
| mission by the present congress, as q
democratic act of denth bed repentance,
This is one of the possibilities SO in
herently improbable as to make it fool
ish and waste time expecting it. III it
comes, we'll and good; but it is wise to
be prepared for the more likely contin-
gency. Persons here in a position
to know believe that the
talk about democratic admission
| comes from democratic sources, and is
merely intended to break the force of
/ the movement for an extra session and
an early organization Of the house OF
Representatives by the republicans. After
President Olsveland's startling reversal
OF policy upon the retaliation question
it would not be surprising to see him
take the back track upon this, and urge
upon congress the very act OF justice te
Dakota he has stubbornly and sullenly
resisted for four years. But the demo-
cratic party in congress is less likely tc
be obedient to his caprices than il was {
few months ago, and ii IS 30 absolutely
committed to the policy OF admitting
Dakota as one state, that it could no
lchapRe without the most ridiculous in
consistency. Agile in terRiversation a
Mr.. Springer is, he could hardly eat al
4 his own words for six years, and consen
TO bill for the division and admission
d Of Dakota, end the house is more likel,
to go with Springer than the presiden,
even il the latter took the surprisin,
course attributed to him.
The house would never consent to th
j senate bill for Dskota alone. and its ow
! omnibus measure is buried so deep Of
the calendar that it sisEno likely to b
reached before the 4th OF March. Shoul
that bill be reached and passed, the sen
: ate may test the sincerity of democrat
3 professions OF repentance by sttachip
81 the bill for the division OF Dakota an
| its admission as tive states to the omni
> bus bill as en- amen3ment and sending
back TO the house, Whatever is don.
Q however, the reasonable probability
a that both bills will die with the session
= The only Trustworthy hope of speedy q,
= mission, then, is through an extra sessio
next March, and prompt and thoroue
o preparation OF the territories for sue
i action as il may take.
I'll The sole power OF calling an ext
sefsion is undoubtedly lodged with ti
"a president, but those who know Gen. He
% rison's character understand that he