Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-07-17
EACH HALF MUST BE REPRESENTED

state convention, declared in favor OF
Bartlett Trip for United States senator.
Now we have nothing but kind words
for the ability and Official record of this
gentleman, who stands as an honored
advocate of democratic principles; but
we have most serious objection to
Bartlett Trip, or any other gentleman,
being selected from the extreme Eastern
or southern corner of the state SO long
as we have now one senator from that
section holding commission for six
years.
| We claim the right of the great west
ern half of the state to senatorial repre-
sentation; which claim is founded on
that equal and exact Justice which per-
vades the masses of this country, which
makes it possible for a republican gov
eminent to exist. The democratic party,
in declaring for a senator from the east
ern half OF the state, to be elected for
six years, with Mr.. Pettigrew at the
beginning of like term, does violence
to this principle, and utterly ignores the
great western half. 1t is fatal blum
der on the part of the democracy, not
that they have small probability of
electing Mr.. Trip or any other candi-
date, but it betrays their indifference
and unfairness to the Black Hills with
out the shadow of an excuse. 1t is well
known that this section contains an ex-
cellent growth of indigenous democratic
senatorial timber, equal, if not superior,
to the production of any other part of
the state, to whom the party in conven-
ton assembled could have paid deserv-
ing compliment, not only to the man,
but to this section, and thereby have
recognized the very existence of the
great western half of the state, and
showed disposition to do it justice.
This the democratic party has failed to
do. 1t has treated the Black Hills and
this vast region with silent contempt;
with scorn, even in the matter of the
compliment of an empty honor. It is
not, therefore, entitled to particle of
consideration or respect from it's parti-
sans or anyone else in the Black Hills.
il The republicans of the Hills made a
stubborn and successful fight for sena-
torial representation last year, and they
will maintain the precedent thus estab-
lished at all hazards. Deprive them of
that and their interest in political affairs
ceases. They would be left hors du
combat a valiant knight, mailed
and equipped for the fray, without a
leader to command, steed to carry him
into battle, or cause to fight for.
il we were entitled TO a senator last
lyear, it would be interesting to know by
what process of reasoning anyone would
seek to justify the depriving us of it this
} year. We have grown apace. With
IL 100000 acres of land now thrown
open to occupation; with the extraordi-
nary activity IN railroad building within
the Hills, and from all quarters of the
compass hereto; the unprecedented min
eral, agricultural and manufacturing de-
velopments; the business enterprise, pro-
gress and general prosperity on every
} hand; with the western half of the state
no longer handicapped, but now fairly
entered upon career of prosperity for
which she has long been waiting; which
means the peopling of her vacant places
and the development of her resources
l
nent and continued prosperity which
stands without parallel in the history
of the Northwest these demand q
senator in Washington, and if they are
> political factors upon which representa-.
! ton is based, then who shall say thai
they are not entitled to such representa-.
tive? Do not these great interests now
demand such recognition far beyond the
| necessities of last year? And is it moi
an established fact that our present pros
! perity is largely, If not wholly, due to
our close and direct representation il
congress? Would not the great reser
: walton barrier still be standing, blocking
the way to our prosperity and greatness
had it not been for our senator in Wash
ington? The direct benefits of sucl
representation to the western half of til,
s state have been manifested in numerous
n instances during the past year, which
are apparent to ALL
The principle of political representa-
ton is one of the most important ques
a tons of statecraft 1t appeals to tn,
highest order of politics, and in this
case it is left entirely to the politica
parties to adjust. Upon the organiza
J: ton OF the state government, the repub
!, lican party recognized the Missouri rive
It flowing through the state, dividing i
: into halves, as natural political bound
9 airy. While it saw many interests il
|. common in both halves, it took notice O
g the fact that each had great interests a
Q separate, distinct and diverse as th
70 poles; each as matter of right an,
common justice demanded senator
which was conceded in order that bot
sections might dwell together as q har
monious political family. Thus the II
b publican party at the outset mastere
!. the situation. It did even handed jus
= tice TO both sections of the state, an
d established precedent which will or
il dure, SO far as the republican party
j. concerned, as long as the Missouri rive
continues to flow from the Rocky noun
tains to the sea.
s To say that any OF the able gentleme
y from the eastern part Of the state, I
y whatever political party, can do full Jul
= tice in representing the western half.
= to admit, the converse Of the proposition
- that two senators may be chosen frol
= the Black Hills who will serve the eas
- ern part OF the state as we'll as any tw
49, A Tl.-A II.