Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-08-23
The Incidental, Effect.

Saws All eastern newspaper: The open
NO of the g.eat sioux reservation in Da-
kota gives another slice of arabic land to
the settler. 1t is n bigger piece than OKLA
loma was. Some 100000 acres will be
thrown open. brt this will scarcely check
for day the rush Of settlers passing west
ward i'll the resting search for homes
There is not much land lett in the west,
and when the farms have all been appor-
toned out the flood vi roll back until the
half occupied fields of the east are titled
1t is folly to think that ali the land Is taken
up as the population moves westward.
Heretofore it has been much like party
of boys in a now blackberry pntch-thev
run from bush to bush calling here
and there, but leaving much good
fruit for tie more careful pick
ers who are coming after.
To which Dakota paper we'll odds: This
will be the most important incidental effect
Of the opening of the Sioux reservation.
There are thousands of acres OF produc-
tive farm lands this side of the reserva-
ton. which can be purchased at very low
rates. Thousands of farmers who are in-
duced to come to South Dakota because
of the opening of the reservation to settle
1nent will stop far this side of the reserva
ton. The result wi be the thicker settle
ment and completer development of the
intervening country. and a consequent
stimulation Of business i'll the cis-reserya-
ton cities.
Must Yet Await Congressional Action.
1t has been the genera! impression
among those interested in the opening OF
the Sioux reservation t at securing Of the
signatures OF three fourths of the male
adults Of the Sioux nation. the report of
the commission and the proclamation of
the president We're only necessary to open
for settlement the II, 600, 900 acres of land.
This. says Washington dispatch, is an
error. There were two bills passed by
the last congress. one providing for the
ce sion OF the lands and how it
should be done. One section of
this bill states that when the neces-
sarv signatures are obtained. and the facts
duly certified to the president. he may
issue his proclamation declaring the lands
open for settlement. The other act pro-
yldes for the appointment OF the commits
sion. appropriate. money for its expenses.
and further provides that the report of the
CCulullSSlOu llltSl De SUDlllltlGtl W lIG AlSt
session of the fifty first congress for rati-
fcation; then the president shall proclaim
the lands open for settlement. The
anxious sett ers on the border Who think
that the report of the commission and the
president $ proclamation is ali that stands
between them and the promised land vii
be disappointed. Dakota people have
cause for increased hope III an extra
session. If the report is not submitted
before the regular session it would proba-
bly, not be ratified until near the holidays.
A proclamation in midwinter opening the
res ervation would ell all great har ship
upon poor land settlers, and it is probable
that no action would be taken by the pres
ident until spring. unless there was early
actio. Ny am extra session Of congress.
The facts are discouraglng to the waiting
aud would-be settlers. and the interior de-
partmcnt is determined that no settlement
snail be made until after the proclamation
ISSUED.