The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1889-03-01
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE

EDITORIAL. CORRESPONDENCE.
BISMARCK, Feb. 2l.-Tomorrow the
Legislature, or portion of it, will take
several special cars over the Northern
Pacific and observe Washington's
birthday 10y a trip to Helena. There
will be no formal recess, as this would
interfere with the per diem of the
statesmen assembled, but so many of
them will be absent that neither house
will have IL quorum for the transaction
of business before Tuesday next In
deed, the average legislative mind is
more or less in doubt as to just what
is required OF it from this en- in view
the certainty of admission, and will
welcome this respite from responsible
ity heartily. Further, one of the meas
ures to be considered next week is the
railroad bill, and what could be more
conducive to comprehensive view Of
this important question than a three
days trip as the guests of Hospitality
inclined corporation.
*
The glad tidings of great joy that
came over the wires from Washington
last night fully warranted the exuber
ance of feeling which took possession
Of both North and South Dakotans. as
sembled at the territorial capital. To
a Mitchell man, the news was excep-
tionally gratifying, for it told that the
propositions in which we are all inter-
ested, and which place us on an equal
footing with other South Dakota COM
munities, had been secured in the
measure by which both Dakotas are to
secure statehood before another year
rolls around. And Mitchell has rea-
son to congratulate herself on the part
her representatives have taken in the
important proceedings which have so
happily eliminated at Washington.
Judge Edgerton introduced the wedge
which shattered the hopes of at least
one ambitious town that it might be
allowed a Fictitious advantage over its
rivals, and by his determined stand
for a fair deal all around, regardless of
the effect it might have Oh his personal
fortunes, had no small part IN turning
the current of legislation into the
channel through which success has
been reached. The work which he
had so well begun was taken up by
Messrs. MentZer and Preston, who
while working in the main in harmony
with the other Dakotans at Washing
ton, have been able to throw some
light on the situation that it very
much needed, and have insisted from
the first that the amendment which
Judge Edgerton caused to be made to
both the Platt and the Springer bills
ought in fairness TO all localities to be
retained. And asa result of the joint
efforts of all the Dakotans who have
been at Washington during the past
eventful weeks-ot Edgerton and
Moody and Clifford and Mathews and
MentZer and Preston and King and
Kleiner and Goodykoontz and Broden.
all good men and true, though of vary
ing views on methois-as a result. |
say, of these combined efforts, we have
at length secured measure, fair IN its
every provision and guaranteeing to
both Dakotas the boon of self-govern-
ment SO long denied them.
Xxx
Right here it should not be forgotten
that much is due to the broad spirit of
concession manifested by the leaders of
both parties in congress, spirit which
took the measure out of the dust of
partisan politics and put it on the high
plain of long deferred justice to the
northwestern territories. 1t remains
to be seen whether we will be able to
exercise our privileges in the same
generous spirit, now that we have en-
tered into them.
#x*
The important legislation Of the ses-
sion is Yet to be had. The passage OF
the council prohibition bill through
the house is almost assured, but even
if it does nu: run against veto, it will
not be operative until January LIST, 1890,
at which time the new state constitu-
tions will have settled the question.
Col. Prices soldiers home bill was
vetoed by the governor today on the
ground that it was not needed and was
not asked for Dy the veterans, bus its
author assures me it will go over the
veto on Wednesday. The measure has
some merits, the pro TEN. editor Of the
REPUBLICAN, to the contrary notwith-
standing, and if there can be an excust
for new Institutions at this time, il can
apply to this one, a soldiers homt
located ON the verge of statehood is
tolerably sureto receive material recog-
milton at lac hands of the general gov
ernlnent. A women's rights bill, grant
ing suffrage to property holders Of that
sex, stands some show of passing, and
a compromise act making anything
above ~ per cent. usury, and its eXac-
tion IS misdemeanor, has just gone tc
the governor. The fight OH the rail,
road bill comes up early next week
and there are only about ten days more
in which to get through with the appro
II