The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-09
PARTY NOT INVOLVED.
Republican Organization in S. Dako-
Ia Not Affected by Capital
Removal Fight.
States Seat May Not Be Changed
Although the Present Trend
Portends It.
Special to The Journal.

Pierre, S. Dr., Jan. with the fight for
the submission Of the relocation Of the
capital practically won the manner of its
accomplishment becomes. an. interesting
fact in state history. It is about a year
since the resubmission of the question be-
gan to be agitated, chiefly by Huron In
terests. though Mitchell, having in mind
the narrow margin Of it's defeat two years
ago, kept eye upon the main chance,
and the ambitions Of Redfeld were kept
active by the persistent action of ex-Rep-
resentatives Packard and Everitt who
were leaders in the scrap of the last ses-
sion.
AS the election approached the interest
increased and Mitchell in September made
a formal announcement Of its candidacy
and Huron in effect did the same. The
election campaign in those counties was
conducted solely upon ca pital removal lines
and some work was done in outside fields
toward securing the election of legislators
committed to removal. When the election
was over the ambitions Of the several as
pirants were so conflicting that it seemed
a, difficult thing to bring them into har-
monious arrangement. This was how
ever accomplished through the mediation
OF G. j. Mcleod and Harry Hunter and
the famous triunvirate compact was en-
tered into.
Took Diplomacy. ....... d
Mitchell readily consented to the COM
pact upon the assurance it had a large
plurality Of the votes likely to enter the
caucus. Huron consented because it be-
lieved that the compact would force the
North Western road to bring it strength
to win and Redf1eld came in because it
was thought that Huron and Mitchell
would be so evenly divided that it might
hold the balance and control the situation.
Sfyy,if OSfo 1iyoo f1Sn oof 1,np,
been more or less distrust among the as
ptrants and Mcleod has been the buffer
between them and by nice diplomacy kept
them in line. t@..s
Hunter was in the matter solely in the
interest Of the Milwaukee road, but Nc
Leod's action was based upon certain I'M
disclosed private reasons and for the pur-
pose Of holding up the capital as g. bait
to induce railroad building and he has
some assurances that the result will be
accomplished. 49,. 1..F 81
,McLeods first move was to bring out his
townsman, J. L. Browne for speaker and
to secure the support of the triumvirate for
him. Mr.. Browne accepted the support
of these aspirants solely upon the con-
d1t1on that he would use absolute fairness
In the appointment Of the committees, CIV
Ing to no town an undue advantage over
It's competitors. When the solons arrived
at Pierre last week the advantage Of
Hthard strain upon the good faith of the
Huron people to stand to the compact, but
they have done so Notwithstanding the
sacrifice involved.
5iOn the part of Mitchell the campaign
has been conducted by Harry Bras, Tom
Burns and cloud Of citizens, in addition
to Senator Branson and Representative
Belts.
Il Pierres Splendid Bearing.
The 1inesse of the situation has been
Involved in carrying on the capital fight,
without getting the party into it and from
every present indication this@has been ac-
complished and it seems that the present
vast advantage of the republicans will not
be disturbed. The fact of the submission
OF the question to vote Of the people does
not by any means determine that the
capital will be removed Beside the legal
phases of the question: which have already
been alluded to in these dispatches, there
= strong sentiment in almost every To-
callty that Pierre won the capital after a
hard fight and is entitled to enjoy it, As
well as that 1t is not a good advertisement
Tor South Dakota to withdraw to an east
ern point. .-
The conduct Of the recent campaign
by the Pierre committee has been ad-
m1rable and has won the hearty COM
naendation Of their successful opponents,
On Tuesday evening when it became ap-
parent that Mitchell could control the
situation the Pierre men went to their
supporters promptly and released them
FROM all pledges. Congressman Burke is
commended for the courageous fight he
made for his home town and for his
fairness throughout. From the first he
let it be known that he would not re-
taliate upon any person by the use OF
his power as congressman for any &C.
fion which might be taken In the CAPT
tai contest Pierre was left to fight
single handed three strong opponents ant