New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-07-24
THE TWIN DAKOTAS.
What They Have Been Doing Towards
their Transmogriffcation into
Sovereign States,
SOUTH DAKOTA.
WORKING ON THE CONSTITUTION.

The constitution be read by the title OF the ar
ticle and that each article be referred to the
appropriate committee. Thereupon Presi-
dent Edgerton declared that he did not be-
azieve this convention could make any changes
in the constitution of 1885 other than those
specifically mentioned in the omnibus bill,
and that SO believing, he would not
refer the articles to the respective
committees. The convention could do so if
lit wished. After few articles had been re-
ferred by motions, the president saw that it
was SO apparent to what committees the ar
tticles should go that he yielded for a nom
emit or two, but when the work had been half
done he called Spooner of Kingsbury to the
chair and took the floor. He declared that,
as it was not competent for this convention
to make any change in the constitution ex-
-cept as provided, he thought the reference
of the constitution was quite unnecessary
and fraught with danger. Congress had
clearly defined the line, and the line should
mot be crossed. Caldwell of Minnehaha re-
piled that such interference was necessary in
order that the convention might be able to
determine what portions could be changed
under the nabling act. Jolley, Davies and
Others favored reference, and Edgerton then
said if the only object was to give the COM
Dmittees a little prominence, and have it un-
sderstood that no changes were to be made,
NE would withdraw his remarks.
few changes are admitted to be desirable
but will not be attempted for fear that the
president will not issue his proclamation in
cease the constitution ratified in November
SHOULD not be the identical constitution rati-
fed in May, with only such changes as are
specified. The clause which limits the state
debt to $500, 900 will have to be changed as
the debt is already about $500, 900, nearly
@one-half OF which has been contracted since
, the constitution was adopted in 1886. Judge
Corson's motion not to count the inherited
territorial debt in reckoning the state debt
will prevail Ifso, the state will be able to
borrow money for any sum less than $780,
ZOO.
REMoDELING THE OLD CONSTITUTION.
Sioux FALLS. S. D., July 11-There was
today continuation of the fight which was
pending in the constitutional convention ad-
Journed yesterday, to cut off the possibility
of the adoption of any but specified amend
ments. First, the question Of referring the
constitution article by article to the various
committees was determined in the affirma-
tive, and the whole instrument was separa-
ted and divided between the 80 standing COM
ynittees. Then alnotion was made to have
the committees reportto theconvention what
change if any must be made in order that the
constitution may comply with the provisions
of the omnibus bill. A substitute
was offered for this proposition
the several committees to proceed
to the discharge of their duties and report
to the convention only such changes and
amendments to the constitution as in their
Judgment are divided by, or are
necessary, in order to comply with the pro-
visions OF the enabling act known as the
omnibus bill. Both propositions were de-
feated. From this it is evident that al
though the convention recognizes the fact
that it can only make limited number Of
amendments with any degree of safety, it
will not permit its committees to be muzzIed
There was great deal of talk during the
debate about ''the wisdom of the commit
ices, proceeding in ORDER and 'smaking
any amount of changes if necessary"
committee reported several hundred typo
graphical, clerical and other minor errors in
the constitution, and they were referred to
the committee on phraseology and arrange
spaent of the constitution.
THE APPoRTIoNMENT
Sioux FALLS, July 12:- The committee
on legislative apportionmenta agreed to the
proposition of having. 100 representatives
and forty senators. This would give Mime
haha county two senator's and six represen-
tatives. A petition has been received from
residents Of the northern part of the county
asking that the county be divided into two
legislative districts AS Sioux Falls contains
mlre than half the population Of the entire
county, the objects Of the petitioners is to
have one senator and perhaps three rep
resentatives independent of the influence of
Sioux Falls. The committee will give full
hearing to all parties before reporting, and
Che matter will after all probably be fought
out in the convention.
SATURDAYS WORK.
Sioux FALLS July 13.--All members of
the constitutional convention who live with
in half days journey have gone home for
Sunday, and the convention to-day did moth
ing. Committees, however, are at work, and
by the middle OF the week several important
reports will be made. The committee on
considering a petition from the Farmers al
aliance, which is u very strong body in Dako-
vta, to adopt the Australian ballot system,
and also amemorial from the Methodist con-
ference to have the election for state officers
and the ratification ofthe constitution at
different times, and to prevent colonization
of voters. This issin tue interest of the adop-
ton of the prohibition clause. The com
mittee, however, seems disposedst to let the
general election laws of the territory govern,
excepting, perhaps, to provide torresignation
in towns of 500 votes and upwards The
plan of having fcrty-two senators and 120
representatives is criticized, but such
superintendent seemed to cause less division
or aggregation of counties than. any other
bplan proposed, and the committee will so re
port The only otherfeature ofbusiness was
the representation of q design for the great
seal for the State of South Dakota, as pro-
svided by the constitution. The design was
referred to the proper committee and the
cow ention adjourned till Monday
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
Sioux FALLS, July l5-The const itut1opal,
convention met to-day, with twenty-nine
members present. The only business done
was the passage Of motion requiring all
standing committees to report promptly, SO
that such portions of the constitution as
need no change which, Of course, embraces
NEARLY the whole document ms may he ap-
schedule has decided to report modification
of the Australian ballot systems for gov
.ernment Of elections Oet..l, on ratification
demonstration and choice of state officers
-and legislature. Fully two thirds OF the del
acgates are prohibitionists. who would gladly
make prohibition a part Of the constitution
! we've Is not that the omnibus bill provides