Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-02-15
THE NEEDS OF THE HOUR.

OF his high Ottlce ana tne TOUR years OF
democratic ru!e in the United States will
have ended.
Dakota halls this event with more than
ordinary interest.
True to that party which saved this
nation from its own destruction only
quarter Of century ago, the disfran
chised citizens of this great territory ask
for relief.
The people have borne UP for two
years under a territorial govern
ment directed by an executive not of
their own choosing and not of the politi-
cal faith Of an overwhelming majority.
The day Of deliverance is near at
hand
A proper appreciation Of right and JUS
tice demands no unnecessary delay.
That an attempt to thwart the will of
an overwhelming republican legislature,
now in session at Bismarck ck-representa-
tives direct from the peoples being at
tempted by an executive not accountable
to the people of the territory for his acts,
but to an administration full of blun,lers
of which Its treatment of the territorie
is not the least, is evidenced by the fire.
quency and number Of vetoes sent in.
The people ask that relief at the hands
of the incoming administration which 10y
atty to good principles and good govern
ment merit.
The people are righteously indignant
at the present condition of affairs.
Deprived Of the right of self-govern-
ment they respectfully and earnestly pc
tition for that relief which the speedy ap-
plication of the principles laid down in
the Chicago platform will give.
All hopes of recognition by present
congress of the territory's rights-divis-
ion and statehbood-have not yet been
abandoned. but they hang upon a
mighty slender cord.
The cry for relief comes not alone from
the republicans of the territory, but from
many democrats as we'll.
Governor Church is wanting in tact,
deficient in sagacity.
1t is not his democracy, altogether,
that occasions the present clash with
the legislature. It is his mistakes, his
indiscretions, crystalized into senti-
ment.
The governor is captious and cynical
and while in the heat of passion does
that against which his better, sober judg-
ment would revolt.
It is unfortunate that we cannot end
our territorial existence harmoniously
and without disgrace, in any branch of
government, but the war is on and time
only can determine the result.
It is hoped the legislature will retain
its dignity, act upon all measures eau
tiously yet fearlessly, and pass, as has
been done thus far, all wise and just
measures over the executive veto.
The wisdom Of the scheme to adjourn
the legislature for twenty days, to give
President Harrison an opportunity to
fill the executive chair with republican
successor to the present incumbent, that
the territorial Offices may be filed with
the friends and supporters of the in
coming administration is not questioned
SO much as the legality or power of the
legislature to take such recess under the
organic act. The legislature adjourns on
the 9Th of next month. President Harrison
will be inaugurated on the 4th. Sufic-
lent time does not intervene between those
dates to permit of a new governor being
appointed, confirmed, commissioned-he
in turn to appoint the various territorial
officers, boards, ETC., and have them con-
firmed by the council according to law
before the adjournment of the legisla-
ture.
Nor is it likely that President Har-
rison would desire to act in such haste.
10 defeat continued democratic terri
torial rule is the desire of the legislature
and the people.
In case of congressional or presidential
inaction there remains at least one
means of relief.
Let the legislature change the date of
the beginning and ending of the fiscal
year and extend the terms of office of all
present territorial officials to May LIST.
The council failing to confirm the gov
ernors appointments would result in
present officials holding over.
The new governor, certain to be ap-
pointed within month after President
Harrison's inaugural, finding the terms
of Office Of these officials expired or about
to expire, he could very gracefully and
with great satisfaction to the republi-
cans Of the territory, proceed to fill the
same.