The Dickinson press., 1889-07-13

military duties. Mennonites want con-
firmed a right which they already enjoy
in practice. McGillicuddy, of Black
Hills. offered a resolution to have a COM
mlttee appointed to investigate the mat
ter of allowing mining claims to be filed
upon school lands. 1t seems that the
United States land officials have received
filing on lands reserved for schools, and
that the department has sustained such
decisions on the ground that school
lands were reserved partly for agricul-
tural lands, and that sections possessing
valuable minerals were opened to entry
as mining claims.
SIOUX FALLS, S. d., July 10.-After
the introduction of several resolutions
the sixth day of the constitutional con-
vcntion proved to be the most interest
ing of the session. \ motion prevailed
that the constitution be read by the title
of the articles, and that each article be
referred to the appropriate committee.
Illereupon President Edgerton declared
that he did not believe this convention
could make any changes in the constitu-
ton of 1885 other than those specifically
mentioned in the omnibus bill, and that,
so believing, he would not refer the ar
ticlcs to the respective committees. The
convention could do SO if it wished.
After a few articles had been referred by
motions, the president saw that it was
S apparent to what committees the
articles should so that he yielded
for a moment or two. but when
the work had been half done he
called Spooner, of kingsbury, to the
chair and took the floor. lie declared
that, as it was not competent for this
convention to make any change in the
constitution, except as provided, he
thought the reference of the constitution
was quite unnecessary and fraugh. with
danger. Congress has clearly defined
the line and the line should not lie
crossed. Caldwell, Of Minnehaha, re-
piled that such reference was necessary
in order that the convention might be
able to determine what portions could be
changed under the enabling act. Jolley,
Davies and others favored reference and
Edgerton then said if the only object was
to give the committees a little promi-
nence, and have it understood that no
changes We're to be made, lie would
Withdraw his remarks. After the SON
stitution had all been assigned, Judge
Corson, of Deadwood, moved that fur
thcr discussion Of this question be made
a special order for the next day. This
motion was carried. Enough has devel-
oped to show that a majority of the con-
vention oppose making any change
which is not clearly authorized
by the enabling act, although sew
eral amendments were offered.
a few changes are admitted to be desir-
able, but may not be attempted FOR fear
the president will not issue his procla-
nation in case the constitution ratified
in November should not be the identical
constitution ratified in May, with only
such changes as are specified. The
clause which limits the state debt to
$780, 600 will have to be changed, as the
debt is already about 100000, nearly
onc-half of which has been contracted
sirre the constitution was adopted in
1855.
Price, of Hyde, introduced a motion
to annul the article striking il the age
qualification for state senators and rep
rescntatives, also making it possible to
add to penal and charitable institutions
a school for feeble minded children, and
such other Institutions as may be created
by law. Sterling, of Sphinx, offered a
resolution authorizing the state to lease
lands Tor agricultural as we'll as for pas
turage and meadow purposes. The con
stitutional convention of 1885 refused to
specify agricultural purposes. but the
omnibus bill requires this. Ciough, of
Codington, offered a resolution provid-
ing that in all counties where no aud
itor exists, one be elected in conformity
with The constitution at the October cleo
ton. Spooncr, of Kingsbury, offered
the following:
Whereas, In view of the fact that it has been
demonstrated that within the limits of South
Dakota there exists what is known as the arte.
sian basin or system, but that its extent has not
been fully determined, and
Whereas. ~ desire is being generally expressed
by the people of South Dakota that the matter be
investigated and the extent of the system fully
determined and its f~allibiiity for the purposes of
agriculture and manufactures DO determined
Therefore BIZ it
Resolved. That this convention mclnorialiZe
congress, requesting them to appoint at the
earliest possible time a commission for The p,,r.
pose of making. and with power TO make, a thor.
ough and complete geological and lv,lrographic
survey of this state, including the mineralo.iraI
for The Black Hills and tile artesian
basin of South Dakota, and tn make the neces-
sary appropriations therefor. And that the com.
lni;ter to which this resolution shall bc referred
are hereby instructed to draft SUCH memorial and
present it to this convention for its consideration:
and further
Resolved, That such committee, for the Dur
pose of enabling it to obtain the necessary statis.
tics. shall have the power to send for persons and
papers.
On motion of Humphrey, of Faulk, a
committee of three was appointed to
read the constitution as printed in Longs
Legislative hand book and compare with
the original engrossed copy now in the
hands of the president of the conven-
ton and report all errors and discrep.
ancies therein contained. Hunlphn V
Dickinson and Seitka were appointed.