The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-26
THE TWIN DAKOTAS.
What They Havc Been Delng Towards
their Transmogriflcntlon into
Sovereign States,
SOUTH DAKOTA.


Sovereign States,
SOUTH DAKOTA.
WORKING ON THE CONSTITUTION.
Sioux FALLS s. D.. July 10.-After the in
PRODUCTION of several resolutions tie sixth
day of the constitutional convention proved
to be the most interesting Of the session
Yesterday tho standing committees were ap
pointed. and today motion prevailed that
the constitutiOn be rcad by the title of the ar
ticle and that each article be referred to the
appropriate committee. Thsrsupon Presi
dent Edgerton declared that he did not be-
!ieve this convention could make my changes
In the constitution of 1885 other than those
specifically mentioned in the omnibus bill,
and that. so believing. he would not
refer the articles to the respective
committees. The convention could do so 4
it wished. After q ew articles had been re
ferred by motions, the president saw that II
waa SO apparent to what committees the ar.
ticles should go that he yielded for q MON.
ent or two. but when the work had been hall
chair and took the floor. ], He declared that
as it was not competent for this convention
to nuke any change In the constitution ex.
cept Us provided, he thought the reference
OF the constitution was quite unnecessary
aud fraught with danger. Congress ha.l
clearly defined the line, and the line should
not DO crossed. Caldwell of Ninnehaha re-.
piled that such interference was necessary in
order that the convention might bo able to
determine what portions could I've changed
under the enabling act. Jolley. Davies and
Others favored reference, and EdRerton then
said il the only object was to give the com.
mittees n little prominence, and have It un.
derstood that no changes were to be made,
lie would withdraw his remarks.
4 few changes IRE admitted to be desirable
but will not be attempted for fear that the
president will not issue his proclamation in
ease tho constitution ratified In November
should not bo the identical constitution rati.
fled in May, with only such changes us are
specified. The clause which limits the state
debt to $500, 900 will have to be changed, Ms
tho debt is already about 500 900, nearly
onc.half OF which has been contracted since
the constitution was adopted in 1886. Judge
Corson's motion not to count the inherited
territorial debt in reckoning the state debt
will prevail. Ifso, the stute will be able to
borrow money for any sum less than $780,
OOO
REMODELING THE OLD CONSTITUTION.
SIOUX FALLS, S. D., July 1l.-There was
today continuation Of the fight which was
pending in the constitutional convention nd
journed yesterday, to cut off tho possibility
of tho adoption OF any but specified amend
ments. First, the question OF referring tho
constitution article by article to the various
committees wus determined in tho atfrma-
tive, and the whole instrument was sepnra-
ted and divided between the 32 2standing COM
mittGes. Then motion was made to have
the committees report to theconventionw what
change. funy must be made in order that tho
constitution may comply with the provisions
of the omnibus bill. A substitute
was offered for this proposition
directing tho several committees to proceed
to the discharge of their duties and report
to the convention only such changes and
amendments to the constitution as in their
judgment are divided by. or are
necessary, in order to comply with the pro-
visions of the enabling net known ms the
omnibus bill. Both propositions were de-
feated. From this it is evident that al-
though tho convention recognizes the fact
that it can only make limited number of
amendments with nny degree Of sufcty, it
There was IL grpnt tlenl of talk during the
debate about "tho wisdom Of the commit
tees" "proceeding in order" and "making
amy amount of changes II necessary" A
committee reported several hundred typo
graphical, clerical and other minor errors in
the constitution, und they were referred to
the committee on phraseology and arrange
ment Of the constitution.
THE AproRTIONMENT.
Sioux FALLS, July 12.- Tho committee
on Legislative appc; tonment agreed to the
proposition Of ha,p ,pAg 120 Representatives
and forty senator's. This would give Mime.
haha county two senators and six represen-
tatives. A petition has been received from
rnp nf 10 n horn pf nj hn Mt ,,
asking that the county be divided into two
Legislative districts. As Sioux Falls contains
more than half the population Of tho entire
county, the objects Of the petitioners is to
have ono senator md perhaps three rep
resentntives independent Of the influence Of
Sioux Falls. The committee will give full
hearing to all parties before reporting, and
the matter will nfter oil probably be fought
out in the convention.
SATURDAYS WORK.
Sioux FALLS. July 13.-All members OF
the constitutional convention who live with
in IL half days journey have gone home for
ing. Committees. however, are ut work, and
by the middle Of the week several important
reports will be made. The committee on
considering petition from the Farmers al.
linnce, which is II very strong body in Dnko.
ta to adopt the Australian ballot system,
and also II memorial from the Methodist con.
ference TO have the election for state officers
and the ratification of the constitution ut
different times, and to prevent colOnizlti0
of voters. This is in the interest Of the adop-
tion of the prohibition clause. The com
mittce, however, seems disposed to let the
general election laws of the territory govern,
excepting, perhaps, to provide orrcsignation
in towns of 800 votes aud upwards. The
plan OF having fcrty.two senators nn,l l2O
representatives il criticized, but such
npportionment seemed to cause less division,
or aggregation ofcountes thnn any other
plan proposed, and the committee will so re,
port. The only other feature ofbusincss was
the representation Of design for the great
seal for the State of South Dnkota, MS pro.
vidcd BY tho constitution. The design was
referred to tho proper committee and the
convention adjourned till Monday.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Sioux FALLS, July 15.-The constitutional
convention met to-day, with twenty nine
members present. The only business done
was the passage Of q motion requiring all
gtun1ing committees to report promptly, 10
TINT such portions of the constitution as
nearly the whole document, may he ap-
proved and cngrOssed. The committee ON
schedule has decided to report modification
of the Australian ballot systems for gov
crnment OF elections Octss1, on ratification
of constitution and choice of state officers
and legislature. Fully two.thrds OF the del
egates are pr0hihitiOnists. who would gladly
make prohibition part of the constitution
were it not that the omnibus bill provides
for submitting separate clauses on prohibi.
tion aud minority representation.
NEARLY THOUGH
SIOUX FALLS, July 1G.-Sixty delegates
were present at the opening of t0-lay's ses.
sion Of the convention. IT was expected that
the work of number of the standing COM
mittces would he ready. but with tho exrep-
tion of two reports and resolution relating
to the dispatch Of business nothing was pre-
scnted. WestcOtt, Of deuel., the chairman
of the Legislative and administration COM
mittee, and Eouckcr of McPhersoli, chair
man of the committee on amendments and
revision ofconstitution, reported that the
articles referred to their committees respect.
lively needed no change.
The reports were nude IL y sIecinl orlcrfor to-
morrow. The judiciary committee has not
YET compirted it's work, but has decided to
Ecrense the number Of judicial dis. rirta.
Dakota has suffered much from delay in
court business, and while some oppose pay
ing too many salaries, the feeling prevails
that the number of fjudgcs must be increased.
There is manifest disposition on thepart OF
the many Delegates to bring the work Of the
convention to IL speedy close. This cannot
he done, as the convention must await the
report Of the joint committee now in session
atlBismarck. 1t is snot;probable that the final
adjournment will be taken before tho second
vnaE in lnUust