, 1889-02-28
ADMISSION ACT.
The Law Creating the Three
New States.
Method Of Procedure to Com
plete the Work.
NUM- acent Federal Concessions Inciud-
ing u Liberal Grant. for Per-
manent school Fund.

and the two Dak0tas into the union. oec-
IONS Q, 5 and 6 are omitted in this publi-
stion, as they relate exclusively to the
Dakotas.
Section 1. That the inhabitants of all
that part of the area Of the United
States now constituting the territories of
Dakota, Montana and Washington, as at
present described may become the states
of North Dakota, South .Jakota, Montana
and Washington, respectively, as herein
after provided.
Sec. 3. That all pereons who are quali-
fed by the laws of said territories to vote
for representatives of the legislative as
sembies thereof are hereby authorized to
vote for and choose delegates to form con-
ventious in said proposed states; and the
qualifications for delegates to such conven-
tions shall be such as by the laws of said
territories respectively persons are re-
quired to possess to be eligible to
the legislative assemblies thereof; and
the aforesaid delegates to form said
in the limits of the proposed states,
in such districts as may be established
as herein provided, in proportion to
the population in each OF said counties
and districts, as near as may be, to be
, ascertained at the time of making said
iapportionments by the persons hereinafter
knthorized- to make the same, from the
best information obtainable, in each OF
which districts three delegates shall be
more than two persons for delegates to
such conventions; that said apportion-
ments shall be made by the governor, the
chief Justice, and the secretary of said
territories; and the governors OF said ter
ritories shall. by proclamation, order an
election of the delegates aforesaid in each
of said proposed states. to be held on the
Tuesday after the second Monday in
MAY, 1889, which proclamation shall be is-
sned on the 18th day of April, 1889; and
such election shall be conducted the re-
turns made the result ascertained, and the
certificates to persons elected cleared to
such convention issued in the same man.
ner as Is prescribed by the laws OF the said
territories regulating elections therein for
delegates to congress; and the number OF
otes cast for delegates in each precinct
shall also be returned. Ihe number OF
delegataS 10 said conventions respectively
shali be seventy.tive, and all persons resi-
dent said in proposed states, who are
qualified voters Of said territories as herein
provided shall be entitled to vote upon
the election Of delegates, and under such
rules and regulations as said conventions
kmay prescribe, not in conflict with this
4 act, upon the ratification or rejection OF
the constitution.
Sec. 4. That the delegates to the con-
ventions elected as provided in this act
shall meet at the seat OF government OF
each OF said territories, except the dele
gates elected in South Dakota, who shall
meet at the city of Sioux Falls, on the
fourth day OF July, 1899. and, after organ
ization, shall declare. on behalf of the peo-
ple of said proposed states that they adopt
the constitution of the United States;
whereupon the said conventions shall be,
and are hereby. authorized to form constl.
tutions and state governments for said
nroposed states, respectively. The consti-
tutions shall be republican in form, and
make no distinction in civil or political
rights on account of race or color, except
as to Indians not taxed, and not to be re-
pupnant to the constitution of the United
States and the principles of the declara-
tion Of independence. And said conven-
tions shall provide, by ordinances irrevo,
cable without the consent OF the nited
States and the people of said states:
First. That perfect liberation of re-
iigious sentiment shall be secured. and
that no inhabitant OF said states shall ever
be molested in person or property on ac-
count of his or her mode of religious wor-
ship.
Second. That the people inhabitinR
said proposed states do agree and declare
that they forever disclaim all right and
title to the unappropriated public lands
living within the boundaries thereof, and
to all lands lying within said limits owned
or held by any Indian or Indian tribes
and until the title thereto shall have been
extinouished by the United States, tbs
same shall be- and remain subject to the
disposition Of the United States, and sale
Indian lands shall remain under the abso
lutte jurisdiction and control of the con
uress Of the United States; that the lands
belonging to the citizens of the United
States residing without the said states
shall never be taxed at higher rate thar
the lands belonging to residents thereof
that no taxes shall be imposed by thu
states on lands or property therein belong
ing tn or which may hereafter be purchased
by the United States or reserved Tor ~
nae. But nothing herein, or in the ordl
nances herein provided for shall preclude
the said states from taxing as other land
are taxed any lands owned or held oy an.
Indian who has severed his tribal relation
and has obtained from the United state
or from any person title thereto by pat
ent or other grant, save and except sucl
lands as have been or may be granted :
any Indian or Indians under any act
congress containing provision exemptin
the lands thus granted from taxation; bu
said ordinances shall provide that all sue
lands shall be exempt from ta'
alton by such states so long an
TO such extent as such act of congress ma
prescribe.
Third. That the debts and liabilities {
said territories shall be assumed and pal
Nv said states. respectively.
for the establi blishment and maintenance (
svstems of public schools, which snail
nnan to all the children of said states, an
free from sectarian control.