Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-02-24
RlLL spRlNGsh,s BILL.

The Omn1bu9 E8v0rRDty he-
ported An h House by = Party vete.
Washington, Feb. 23-By . strictly
party vote the house committee on tor
ritoriea to-day agreed to report isvorhbly
Chairman Springer's nomnibns" bill to
enable the people OF Dakota, Montana,
Washington territory and New Mexico
to form constitutions and state govern.
ments. andto be admitted into the union
on an equal footing with the original
states. The bill authorizes the residents
OF these terrisorics to elect delegates to
conventions, proportionnte in number
with the population of the counties.
The superintendent Of delegates is to be
made by the governor, chief justice and
United States attorney OF eesh territory
and the election is to be held on Tues
day after the frat Monday Of next
August. THO number Of delegates to
each convention is fixed at seventy-fye,
except in the case OF Dakota.
where the number is increased
to $50. They are TO meet at the
seas OF government OF each Territory ON
the second Tuesday OF Septsm5er next,
adopt the constitution OF the United
States and form constitutions end state
governments. expressly disolalming in
favor OF the United States Gil title to
unappropriated public lands and Indian
lands lying within the territories. They
are also required to assume the territor-
ial debts and provide and maintain the
public school system. The constitutions
are to be submittaa..a$Esta ei the peo-
Pile on the Tuesday after the first Mon
day in November next, and if q majority
are in favor OF it the results shall be
certified to the president of the United
States.
Until the next general census the new
states, with the exception of Dakota,
are to be allowed n representative each
IN the house Of representatives. Dakota
is to be allowed two representatives.
These representatives are to beeleoted
on the same day With the governor and
other state officers.
Sections of land in each township, or
an equivalent, are granted to each now
state for school purposes; fifty entire
sections are granted for erection OF
public buildings; ninety sections are
apportioued for agricultural colleges,
and 5 per cent OF the proceeds Of tho
sales OF public lands in the new states
is to be paid into q fund for the support.
OF their common schools. Othsr large
grants Of public lands are aiao proposed
to be made specifically for the benefit OF
schools OF mines, charitable and educa-
tional institntiuus, nnd water works for
irrigation.
appropriation OF $4,000 is p.ovid-
ed for Montana, Washington and New
Mexico, and $50. 900 for Dakota, to de.
fray the expenses Of the conventions.
Aitsr tho acceptance OF She eonstitu-
lions the Legislatures are to meet and
eiecI two senators from each state, and
when each state 10 admitted into the
union the senators and representatives
are to be admitted to seats In songFoss,
and the state governments become oper-
alive.
The new idexican convention is; also
to consider the question OF chanss In
name frcm New Ncxico to Eontezupaa,
and shetNW Washington convention is to
submit TO the people . proposition to
name the new state Tacoma.
The republican members will prevent