Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1889-02-21
BEFORE The AGREEMENT.
happenings in and About the Hat
statehood Conference Committee.

happenings In and About the Late
statehood Conterenee Committee.
Washington, Feb. 2S.-The territories
are not quite out OF the woods. There
are difficulties in the conference com
mittee which foreshadow plssible diff
Guilty in the house. The committee had
q two-hours session to-day. 1t was for
the most psrsa a conference between
Springer end Piatt, to whom the other
members OF the committee referred the
minor points of difference which still re-
main to be settled. 1t does not appear
that much progress was made, as there
is to be another meeting tomorrow.
Asked whether the committee would re-
port to the house, Senator Platt replied:
"Better wait till we get somewhere near
an agreement bafore asking that ques-
tlon." Mr.. Baker was more confident
and looked for an agreement tomorrow
and report the next day. Springer was
tired out and irritable after the confer
ence, but thought en- agreement pos
sible II tie were not pushed too fer.
Springer has been veriGable marvel of
concession in this matter, and bis lrrita-
bility over the apparent frnitlessness OF
his yielding is excusable. The disgust
of the Dakota people with the constan.
creation OF new difficulties is growing.
They are nearly unit in the belief that
the democrats have made concessions
enough and thet an agreement ought to
be renched forthwith. The only exuep-
tion is the Ingenious gentleman who
makes 1t his business to quote Senator
Piatt. OF course, conference committee
business is secret.
In my Judgment. however, the points
OF difference are, first, the question OF
the location OF the capital. The original
Platt bill provides that everything else
IN the Sioux Falls constitution except
the location OF toe capital shall be re-
Submitted 90 popular vote. Springer
wants TO resubmit this also. second !.
the question OF a constitutional conyen-
tion IN South Dakota. Springer wants
such convention to perfect the Sioux
Falls constitution If it ia adopted. or
make q new one il it is not, and TO pro-
vide new legislative espportIonment the
territory having outgrown that made at
Sioux Falls. Third. the time of election,
Judge Moody is urging Platt to insist
upon vote on the constitution in April
and an elestion of state officers and leg.
| wants the first vote in May at che same
time the other territories elect delegates
spG the election in November, or at epy
rate no earlier than October, and at the
same time in all the territories. People
whose only interests is il the speedy sd
mission OF the territories cannot under.
stand why these points are material, or
! why SO much time shnuld be wasted in
kbsp
posed to explain. A new danger TO the
peculiar attitude of Mr.. Barnes of
Georgia, best known as one of the most
Indefstlgable opponents OF the Oklahoma
bill. Barnes is member OF the confer
ence com mite, and it is said will refuse
to be bound by the instructions OF the
house and the consent to the conces-
sions ordered by the COX resolutions.
This attitude is unusual, but not without
precedent.
Members OF both houses have taken
the ground heretofore that oonferees
were not bound to surrerde their pri :
vate Judgment IN obedience to instrac-
tlops. 1t is intImsted also that Senator
Butler, who is under no instructions
will join Barnes in voting against agree.
ment, even if Springer and Platt settls 8
their differences. This will not prevent
agreement, however. as minority of
the conierees from either house may
make o favorable report The sig
niheanoe OF Barnes attitude, however,
lies iD the possible danger that he and
his southern associates may defeat the
bill at the last by filibusteung to pre-
vent an agreement on the conference
report. Barnes is an excellent flibustsr.
er. and Breckinridge, Mcmillan and that
set showed themselves more than ready
to adopt his policy by their attitude last
Friday. II fl is true, as intimated, that
there is trade between the Oklahoma
people and the territories, Barnes will
have double reason ior obstruction. II
will be curious il. after ell, the territorial
bill is defeated this session by the
southern democrats.