Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-01
. SOUTH DAKOTA.
The Sioux Falls Constitution Likely
to be Adopted.


to be Adopted.
HuRoS, S. Oak, March 25.--[Special Cor
responuence of THE BEE. The last carpet
bag governor has come and gone. Meliette,
the first home-rule governor, is installed NJ
the territorial capital
For thirty years we've been in the wilder
ness; meantime, we've been permitted 10
pay taxes to our uncle at Washington out
had no voice in the distribution OF the taxes
thus paid. The colonists had less occasion
for rebclling than we have had. we nave
patiently endured all the hardships placed
upon us, while humbly watching and waiting
for the day of our delverance. And mere IL
is. There are few formalities to be OBJ
served in compliance with the omnibus OIL,
but all these are as holiday
There will be two states IN
the union, with three representatives and
four senator's. As big as nll Dakota is this
prospect Ia sufficient TO make each OF us
happy. But we have another cause 1or
congratuation In South Dakota. Three-
quarters of our voters are repuoilcans'
There is hardly republican postmaster or
republican appointee in our midst. All tnis
will be changed as fast as Mellette and
Ret Clarkson can sign commissions. AS
Mcllette says: "Tbis is republican admins
tration."
BY the omnibus bill, South Dakotans can
re-adopt the constitution framed at sioux
Falls by authority of the legislature in 1888,
or they can vote this down-they must vote
upon it--on May IA, and build another con-
stitntion. OF the Sioux Falls instrumeht
Senator Edmunds said ut is one OF the
States.n Mr.. Springer has said virtually
the same thing. Wise men framed it at q
time when all supposed it would never go
into effect, SO no extraneous influences
were brought to bear against any OF It's pro-
visions. The monopolst attorneys were
conspicuously absent Hence the entire fair
ness of the document In all its parts. AS there
is possibility Of its becoming the foundation
on which state Is to be built the enemies OF
some of its provisions are already shooting
their arrows at IL with the purpose OF induc..
ing the people to defeat it, but the passage of
each day increases the probability that 1t
will be re-adopted.
At the monster convention held here last
week by the friends of constitutional prohi-
bition, regardless of all party lines, it was
unanimously voted to stand by the Sioux
Falls constitution. They represent ma
jority of the voters in the state. Last Tues
day Governor Mellette made speech in
Watertown, in which he strongly urged all
to vote for the Sioux Falls constitution. This
will be made the watchword of the republi-
cans. Then there are very many democrats
who strongly favor the governors plan. For
all of these reasons it appears to be certain
one under which we shall enter the union
There is very decided belief that Oh the
two separate propositions Of minority repre-
sentation and constitutional prohibition, the
former will be lost among the scatter
ing' and the latter will win with awhirlwind
Of votes.
Like ten virgins stand the cities Of Aber-
deon, Chamberlain, Forest City, Huron,
Madison, Mitchell, Pierce, Redfeld, Sioux
Falls, and Watertown-each willing to be
ttf,r ifol rif <,f y,
Dakota But their hackers are not standing
hat in hand waiting for Office They are
"placing" corner lots where the most good
can be done. They are reported as willing
to invest in newspapers till the close of the
campaign. In short, they will pledge half
of their possessions to win votes, and they
will mortgage the other half to aid in this
missionary work. Each town believes it
will be forever more uudone if 1t loses in
this capital race, but in each case this Is only
figment of the Inauguration.
This will be full year of politics and cleo
tions in Dakota Town elections in March,
municipal in April, election of delegates to
tho Sioux Falls convention i'll May, comfy
October, territorial election in November, il
we fail to adopt constitution in October
After two months rest will come an cleo
tion of senators in January. Dakotans will
gladly endure even this large affiiction of cleo
tions for the sake Of securing political inde-
pendence This is the goal to which all
hearts are yearning and for which all eyes
are looking.
Although it is yet six months until the
election of congressman, and a legislature
which will choose senator's, the people have
quite clear ideas whom they wish to have
represent them in Washington. For the two
Representatives, their first choice is Mr..
Matthews, the present delegate and Mr..
Clifford, ex-delegate, is their second. Judge
Moody, of the Black Hills, who was elected
senator in 1885, will be one Of the senators,
and Mr.. Pettigrew, of Sioux Falls, will be
the other. Moody has long been leader in
territorial affairs He is able, brilliant, quick,
fine stump speaker and an excellent law
yer. MIR. Pettigrew was the delegate in
1SS0-2, and there has never been one who ac-
complshcd more than he did for Dakota.
This quartette will be an honor to South Da-
kota and to congress.
We are having remarkably early season.
Farmers have been sowing wheat for two
weeks. More rain would be acceptable; but
the ground is in fine condition for working.
Seed wheat is scarce on account of our sell
ing so much dollar wheat" last autumn
Yet there will be no need of importing
much. b. L. q.