St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-09
Details of the Great Fight in
the South Dakota
House.
How the Democrats and In
dependents Got on Top by
One Majority.
Bartlett Tripp Pretty Sure
to Succeed Moody as
Senator.
The North Dakota House
Takes an Early Shy at
Lotteries.
Special to the Globe.

PIERRE, Jan. 8.-The greatest politl-
cal battle in the history of South Da-
kota was fought out here Tuesday; and,
strange to relate. it was won by the
Democrats. At least the Democra is
here who have followed it all through
claim as much. In reality, it was a
victory for the Democratic and lnde-
pendent parties. and farther than that,
for every individual member of these
two parties, for without them it would
not have been possible. AS has been
heralded for some time, the organiza-
tion of this legislature was IN consider
able doubt, the Republicans and oppO-
sition both claiming it. All the force es
were on the ground early. TO show
this, it may be mentioned that two sell
ators from Washington, and one con-
gresham, VIZ: Messrs. Moody, Petit
grew and Clifford, led the Republican
clans. Both sides put forth their every
effort. 1t was Senator Frank Petit
CREWS remark that he had come here to
organize the house, and organize it he
would. and all the world couldn't pre-
vent. 1t was soon evident that the Re-
publicans would control the senate OH
the face of the certificates issued by
one majority. But when-the contest
from Fall River and Custer counties is
decided, if it is done at all, on its merits,
the majority will be on the other side of
the senate. But the house was the
great
Scene of Eattle,
and every participant and spectator will
ALL = ole tltn In
Tuesday afternoon the house met, and.
proceeded to organize by the election of
a speaker. That both sides were so
eager for the fray was pretty good evil
dence that it was going to be close.
And it was close. Hon. G. x. Seward,
the Independent and Democratic candi-
date, received sixty-twO votes Oh the
first ballot, and his opponent, Hon.
'fR R. Buchanan, of Sioux Falls, siXty-one
votes. So great was the Surprise when
the result was announced, that the APP
plause was enly half whatit would have
been under ordinary circumstances. To
think that in South Dakota, the very
hotbed of Republicanism, the ''Old
party" should be knocked QUIT was
almost too good to be true. For this
reason, that the opposition were in
a prayerful mood, their souls did not
go out in yells and eXultant shouts-but
rather grateful praise. The Repub-
licans were confident to the last. They
had stakcd their all on the result.
Never was campaign organized better
than theirs. Soon after the election
their strikers took the field. Such men as
John E. Diamond, who has wrecked the
party in Bro0kingS; Joe Green, in Cham
Derlain; |. V. Mcdowell, in Highmore;
Don Needham in Jeranld county, and
Others were hired by Moody to conduct
his campaign. That they worked there
is no question; but the handwriting
was on the wall and they could not
avert it. Upon arrival here every
doubtful member was eXpeditiOuSly
conducted to the presence of the great
mOgul who had the most influence
with him, and
Every Available Force
of the Republicans was present. Is it
any wonder that we poor Democrats
and Independents hardly dared believe
that we could hold out against such odds?
But we did. Every man stood true as
steel. and to-day tells the tale that the
cause of the people is finally triumphant
over the political party that has since the
beginning held the state in such abject
3 bondage that it seemed as though it
could never escape. But while the Re-
publicans were ably generated, what
can be said of the opposition that could
win against such fearful odds-for 1t
must not be forgotten that the entire
Republican machine was back of their
campaign. Judge Bartlett Trip has
demonstrated that within him lies
powers as leader second to none in
the country. 1t must not be forgotten
that Tripp was in the fight from the be-
ginning long before the election. when
hope did not look as fiowery as it does
now. But he nevercould have gained
the day without the assistance of such
lieutenants as he had. Sheafe.
of Watertown Wickhem, of
Alexandria; Peemiller and O'Brien,
of Yorktown; Pratt, of Pierre,
were giants of themselves in en-
terprise and fertility of resource. They
have all rendered their party service
that will not be soon forgotten. 1t was
the prettiest fight ever seen. Every
man on both sides felt the responsibility
resting upon him, and fought as only
brave men can in most desperate CIR
enmstances. But the distinctively So
rallied Democrats did not do it all.
Without the aid of that new party in
our country, called the Independents,
the
Republican Iron Heel
would be still grinding the people of
this state in the dust. That this new
party possesses such staying qualities is
much in favor of its future success. Its
leaders, Goodfellow, of Brookings;
Smith. of Minnehaha; Harden, of
Jerauld; Wardall, of Beadle:
and others, are fearfully in earn
est, as their enemies, the Republicans,
have found out to their sorrow. Mr..
Seward, the speaker, is young lawyer
of w Watertown He has been mayor of
that city. He was particularly accept
able to the Democrats. He. has ability
of high order, and will make an emf
nently fair and honest officer. He may
now be put down as one OF the coming
young men of this state. His twelve
years residence has evidently given
him good start. OF the seventeen Or
eighteen contests that will now he
brought before the house. it is the Opin-
ion among Democrats that at least
twelve will be decided in their favor,
seven from Lawrence, one from Doug
lass and one from Dawson. This will
give them good working majority.
How does it affect the senatorial ques-
tion? Unless all signs fail, 1t means
the election of Judge Bartlett Tripp.
One thing is positively certain 1t
means defeat OF Moody. Ii Tripp con-
JinueS in anything like the same ratio
TO be as successful as he has so far in
the cam paign. he will be the next SEN
ator from South Dakota.
Senators Rebuked.
To-aay's proceedings in the house
were iuterrQDIeQ Dy Il sensational Incl