The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1889-08-23
NUMBER 10.
LETTER FROM f. u. vyALLaCE.
BISMARCK, Aug. Is, 1889

| AHA hEN FNOM r.. ID. WALLACE,
BISMARCK, Aug. 16, 1889.
Tothe Editor Of the Hope PIONEER:
The question of the right Of the constitutional
convention to take from the people their right
to say where the state capital. and all the pub
| tic institutions needed in North Dakota for the
next nifty years should be located, ie ono Of
more than local importance or local interest,
The place where the capital of North Dako.
ia aud these institutions should be located
should not b. taken into consideration in de-
Gliding on the principle at stake, which is
no more and 10 less than the question Of the
right OF the people to indicate by their votes
where they wish the capital Of the state to be,
as against the right Of the N. P. R. R. and its
lobby to dictate that location. No one would
have the tsmerity to deny that that right be-
longs to the people, and no constitutional con-
vention or any other body, has the authority to
take that right from them without their con-
sent. The delegates to the constitutional con.
vention of North Dakota were never elected on
that issue, and no such power was ever con.
ferred on them by the enabling act or by the
people, nor had the people any idea that such
a usurpation Of their rights would be attempt
cd.
1 say further, that proposition to take from
tho people their rights in this matter could
never have succeeded on its own merits. The
majority that usurDed the right OF the people
to say where they would have the capital To-
Gated, and that refused by direct vote taken
in the convention to submit their action for
the verdict OF the people in separate clause,
was only made possible by as unblushing a
purchase of votes, by making traffic and barter
Of the landed Inheritance of the state, as was
ever witnessed in America. 1t was votes for
lands and institutions for share in tho plum
der, and nothing less, that carried this scheme
through. The fact that some who voted with
the majority are suspected Of having sold their
votes for money Is not strange; still, II such
was the case, the number who were 90 influ-
onc0d was small.
The claim that the majority were acting on.
ly in the interests of the people will not boar
inspection, in View Of the fact that they were
afraid to submit the result Of their labors to
tho people for approval or rejection on It's
merits. The same men who Insisted Oh put.
ting their scheme in the body Of the consiitu-
tion, could see no earthly excuse for putting
the prohibition clause anywhere else but in a
separate article. Put the prohibition clause in
tho body Of the constitution! Oh, no, that would
never do! But this usurpation, this denial of
the right Of franchise to the people, this piece
OF dictation by the N P. R. R., and its lobby
ists that must 60 into the body Of the consti-
tuition. What better evidence could be furn.
ished for want Of sincerity in the virtuous
claims Of the leaders Of the advocates Of dis
franchisement of the people. There IL slang
word that fits the case so we'll that am
tempted to use it, and that word is-"Ratsv'
Ihave looked upon this question from tho
standpoint OF principle aud the rights Of the
people, but will mention some Of the effects
| Of the combination. In order to keep tho
spoils aud reap the fruits, 1t will be necessary
to keep up the combine for all time to come,
or as long as there is possibility of any
change being made in the location Of any OF
tho institutions; legislatures must be controll-
ed and a constant watch kept for fear some
adverse move may be made; not only will
votes be given to secure appropriations, but
the cry will 60 up from as many places as
have institutions for the old flag and an ap-
preparation; and which locality 10 going to
stand back and wait for the other to get in
ahead. "Take the institutions out of politicsv'
This action has put them into politics and into
future legislatures in the worst form. Even in
the constitutional convention we have already
seen votes influenced aud plainly cast contrary
to what they would have been but for this
combination and the necessity Of perpetuating
its existence. The supporters Of The comblna-
ton are now in the position of the man who is
a false witness and has to bolster up ono false
move by another until he finds himself in a
maze of difficulties from which there Is no e.
cape, and finally leads to confusion and open
disgrace.
The majority Of committee appointed to
report upon the resolutions and remonstrancss
received from various parts of the state, pre-
sented very readable document which should
be In the hands Of every citizen. It effectually
disposes Of many Of the claims set up by those
who were the leaders Of the majority. Now,
~ WV" VI 4dCtS Iu CHo Cd6oS HuHt buOuW
those who wish to protest against this outrage
do? Can they give voice tc their indignation
in any better way than by voting against the
adoption Of the constitution as it now stands?
The result of rejection OF that instrument
would be to bring the convention together
again for few hours, In order to strike out
the Objectionable article, when 1t would again
be submitted to the people in a shape that
would meet their approval.
I have said nothing rs to the proper location
Of the state capital, as that is not now up for
consideration, but will some time in the fu-
ture give figures showing that the state Is the
loser by $4,000 to $4,000 every session Of tho
legislature Oh account Of Its present location;
also that individuals are put to largo expense
and Inconvenience. E. D. WALLACE.
While the denizens of Pennsylvania were
shivering with cold, the ground covered with
snow and ungathered crops ruined, North
Dakota was basking in sunshine with the NOR
curry at 90 in the shade.
Steele and Griggs counties will be known as
the Siyteenth lqgisativa district and will ha