Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-02
SOUTH DAKOTA.
Crops Doing Finc,y-Ra,n In PLENTY
Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention.
Huron, April 27.-.[Special to TnE BEE. =
After passing over half the state in the last
ten days, l conclude that the farmers pros
poets for 1880 are far ahead OF the average,
Because the season is two weeks earlier the
lands are plowed and narrowed and oil the
small grain is sown. Also the whole state
has been we'll watered oy the rains Of the
last two weeks. The lghtost rainfall has
been in the northwest counties, meaning, OF
course, those east OF the Missouri river, for
the extreme northwesterly counties of the
state are neither surveyed, organized nor
settled. But the crops are in good condition,
and the grass is goodl grazing in Campbell,
MCPHERSON, Potter and Walworth counties.
Tho farmers are generally sowing less wheat
than in 1888, and will put in moro flax and
corn. They are gradually grasping the fact
that wheat is not good crop, on account of
the winds which may catch IL when IL is in
the milk. lhep also realize that these same
winds are splendid to make corn. Further,
when this corn is put into beef and pork 1t is
the surest cash product that they can invest
in.
The wife of Hon. George A. Mathews, our
delegate in congress, died this week of con-
sumption and pneumonia. She was one of
the most amiable ladies in the state and
perfect helpmeet for her husband. One lit
tle incident, told me by butcher at
independence and her 70 ce of character.
He said: "Sho never put on any stvle when
she ordered meat OF mo she would always
carry IT home, OLher women would order
half pound or pound of meat for dinner,
and I'd have to carry 1t home for them. But
Mrs, Mathews always carried her own meat
home" A hucksters homely standard OF
goodness; yet, 1t is not without its point.
Many conventions will be held next week
to nominate delegates TO the constitutional
convention which is TO assemble in Sioux
Falls on July T. Most Of these conventions
will be partisan, but I've heard OF none but
the best men talked of for delegates. Thus
far, II non partisan convention has been
called in only one district. In the balance of
the state the republicans do not care to give
the democrats anything. If they can get a
delegate here and there by tho grace of the
minority repre- esentaton heresy, it is their
privilege. But the dominant party has had
enough OF minority misrue, and now propose
to have no more of it. That convention will
contain many of the Oldest men in the state,
and two-thirds of them will be republicans.
AS the time approaches for considering
who shall be our United States senators, it
Is seen there is remarkable unity all over
the state Tor giving these exalted positions to
Messrs. Pettigrew and Moody MIR. Petit.
grew has lived in sioux Falls for twenty
years. walking there because he hadn't
money to pay the stage fare from Sioux
City, He is cool, long headed an indefat-
gable worker; and although only forty years
old, yet he went to congress ten years ago.
Since then he has been too busy making
money by helping to build up Sioux Fails,
to accept Office. TO day he is one of the
wealthiest men of the state. But he has
always been in active sympathy with the
people, for he is one of them. So has he
been in active sympathy with the division
and statehood movement from the very first.
Judge Moody has lived in Dakota twenty
years-first in Yankton and now in Dead
wood. He is one of the brainiest men in the
state; keen politician; a very able and bril-
liant lawyer; one of the best judges we have
ever had. He is largely identified with the
farmers, for he cultivates more land than
any other individual in the Black Hills. II
we send these two men to the senate, Dakota
will be well represented III that body as
any western state.
Governor Mellette has filled all the prom-
nent offices in the terri ory with new men.
In the university at Vermillion he retained one
democrat, chiefly for local reasons. The gen
tleman-D. M. lnman-has been very active
in building up this institution, and no one of
the board is better fitted to look after and
direct its affairs. | believe he is the only
democrat thus retained. The governor says
this is a republican administration, and it is
the republicans who are to control and be re-
sponsible for the affairs of state
AT the last moment x-Delegate Clifford de-
clned the office of attorney-general. 1t is
congressman or the district Judgeship that he
Is after, with a capital chance of winning
johnson Nickens, of Jamestown, is the
new attOrney-general. Although he is Il
North Dakotan he always favored the divis-
ion of the territory. His appointment is
doubly fit to be made. for he is also one of
the best lawyers in Dakota.
James r. Horton. the new adjutant-gen-
eral, lives in Redheld. an old soldier about
siXty-three years Of age, and will make
good officer.