Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-04
TODAY IN THE TERRITORIES.


lzed by congress, having accepted what
is known as the Sioux Falls constltu-
tion, adopted in 1885. The conventions
are also to provide for the cleo
tion OF members of congress, two
from South Dakota, and one in each
of the other proposed states, state
officers, and for members of the legisla-
ture under the apportionment OF the
conventions. These officers and the new
constitutions will be vote upon by the
people on the first Tuesday of next Oc-
tober. Subsequent to the October cleo
tion the new legislatures may assemble
and elect United States senator's, who,
with the new representatives, will take
their seats in the Fifty-first congress.
In the matter of framing the constitu-
tions of the proposed states congress
has laid down certain limits
within which the conventions
must keep. These new state
constitutions must not conflict
with the constitution of the United
States, which the delegates are re-
quired to adopt as the first business in
order after the conventions are orga-
nized. The constitutions must be re-
publican in form, and must make no
distinction in civil or political rights
on account of race or color, except as to
Indians untaxed. They must declare
that perfect liberation of religious
sentiment shall be secured, and that no
inhabitant of the states shall ever be
molested in person or property
on account of his or her
mode of religious worship" These
declarations must be inserted In
such form that they will be irrevocable
without the consent of the United
States. 1t is also required that each
constitution shall make provision for
the establishment and maintenance of
systems of schools which shall be open
to all the children of the state and free
from sectarian control.
Upon the ratification of the constitu-
tions by the people, duly reported to
the president rs provided by law, the
president, if he find that the enabling
act has been complied with, is
authorized to issue proclama-
tion announcing that such is
the case and declaring the territories
admitted to statehood. With the presi-
dent rests the question whether the law
has been fulfilled in the framing of the
constitutions. Congress has nothing
| more to do with the admission. From
| the day on which the presidents procla-
| nation is issued the four states begin
their existence on an equal footing with
the states already in the union. With
| so plain and simple a course of pro-
! cedure, in order to obtain statehood,
| there need be no apprehension that the
convention OF either territory will tail
| to fully comply with the requirements
of the law.
AS to the political complexion of the
new states, the republicans are sure of
the two Dakotas, reasonably certain of
Washington, and should have at least
an equal chance in Montana. Wash
iugton has always been strongly repub-
lican, and the only danger to the party
| there now is that men who are in alll-
ance with the Northern Pacific railroad
may secure the nominations. The fact
| OF the territory having been represented
IN congress for two terms by a democrat
was due to the desire of the republicans
to rebuke their party for yielding to
the influence of the railroad corpora
ton, which is very generally hated by
the mass of the people. Last Novem-
Der the republicans of Washington
elected their candidate for delegate in
congress by majority of about eight
thousand, but some of the results in the
election of delegates to the constitu-
| tional convention demonstrated that
there are many republicans in Wash
ington who will not act with the party
when the question of rebuklng railroad
influence is presented to them. If the
republican party in that territory il
true to itself and to the party
at large it will have NJ
difficulty in securing contro
of the new state government and send
ing a representative and senators to con
gress. In Montana the democrats ap
parently have an advantage, but it il
not so great as to insure them control
of the new state and if the republicans
will harmonize and put forth the effort
necessary to success they may achieve
it, 1t is said that the disaffection which
cost the republicans the control of Ghe
constitutional convention has nearly or
quite disappeared, so that there is good
reason to hope that when the October
election arrives the party will be again
united and thoroughly organized. In
that case Montana will be almost al
safely republican as either of the
Dakotas.
Hereafter this anniversary of our in
dependence will have for the people Of
the four prospective states double in
terest and significance. 1t is to b'
hoped its patriotic influence and sug-
gestions will be helpful to them in the
performance of the very important worl
they have to do.