Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1889-02-21
NEARER THE GOAL.
The Conference Committee Last
Night Agreed on Report of
the Omnibus Bill.
North and South Dakota, Montana
and Washington, Will Become
States this Year.
The Senate and House Will Consld
er the Report roday-Hopes 4,
OF its Passage.

WASHINGTON, Feb. ~ Special I'VE
are making history fast this year. The
loDg fight over the admission of the
northwestern territories is now drawing
to close Unless something unforeseen
should happen today the omnibus bill
will be ready for the presidents sigma
ture tomorrow morning. Mr.. Springer
will have the proud distinction of having
his name inscribed upon the roll of fame,
as the father of the measure which ad-
mits four new states into the union.
Will the conference committee be able
to agree, was the chief topic of con-
versation inWashington yesterday. When
the committee adjourned at noon, there
were ominous rumors Of a continued dis
agreement. It was said that certain
minor points were insisted on which
would not be conceded by the senate
conferees and that unless an agreement
was reached before night, the whole mat
ter would be referred back to the house.
The chief of these points seemed to be
the question whether a new election
should be held to locate the capital OF
Sbuth Dakota, which under the Sioux
Falls constitution is fixed at Huron. The
friends Of that city appeared to be will
ing to wreck the bill, and let the whole
matueer 60 over until the next session
rather than submit the question to new
election.
After a long session this afternoon the
question was finally decided and the
committee adjourned about Ska o'clock.
The report prepared last night by Chair
men Platt and Springer, will recommend
that the people in the territories of North
Dakota, Montana and Washin gton, shall
| each elect seventy-fve delegates on May
| IA to constitutional conve entions which
will meet in their respective capitals on
July4.
The constitutions which they adopt
will be submitted to the people on the
first Tuesday in October, and it they are
ratified by the popular vote, the presi
dent will issue his proclamation declar.
ing them admitted as states, and an elec
ton will be held in.November for members
of the Legislature and representatives in
congress. The legislatures will meet anc
elect United States senators, who will
take their seats in congress at the De
cember session. together with the repre-
sentatiyes
These provisions will also apply tt
South Dakota, with these exceptions
On May IA they will vote to ratify or re
ject the Sioux Falls constitution, ane
also on the question OF the location O
the capital at Huron.
If the vote is not favorable provision 1!
made for another constitution beins
framed. The provisions Of the omnibus
bill with regard to lands, ETC., are no
changed in any important matters, excep
that Judge Moody's provisions for th'
special allotment of lands to educationa
institutions is slncorporated. The constitu
tional conventions will fix the date To-
ernors and other state officers, but al
though it is not fixed in the bill, the,
will no doubt be elected in October a
the same time that the constitutions ar
ratified. The names of the new state
are to be left as North and South Dakota
When it was known in the lohbies las
night that the committee had agreed
on favorable report, great interest wa
felt as to what action would be taken b!
those members who are opposed to tn
bill Barnes of Georgia, will not sign tht
report Of the conference committee. ant
it is doubtful whether Butler, of Soutl
Carolina will sign it; but it is said tina
they will not carry their opposition an!
further. There only remains ten day.
more of the session, and any delay nigh
be fatal
WORK FOR THE LAWYERS.