Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-06-19
IT,
SOUTH pAkoTA's CAPITAL FIGHT.

SOUTH DAkoTA's CAPITAL FIGHT.
f. C. Torrey, who writes occasional
South Dakota gossip for the Journal
at Minneapolis, has an interesting ar
ticle regarding the forthcoming capt.
tai fight in South Dakota, which will
be interesting in view of previous ex-
periences in the capitol location line,
in both states:
THE story in a Centerville paper
that Mitchell is knocking Congress
man Burke because he is a Pierre man
will not hold water. Everybody
knows that Mr.. Burke is q great work
er for his home town, and the good
people of Mitchell probably honor him
as much for this qualification as do
those of any other part of the state.
Mitchell's men are simply pleased with
the fact that they are to measure
strength with Mr.. Burke and the lead
ers from Pierre. and they do not seem
to be worrying about the outcome.
They are not boosting" any candi-
dates for congressional or state posi-
tions, and a common-sense view would
give them credit for not drawing the
hammer on anybody, for every candi-
date has his circle of friends, and
Mitchell is after all the votes it can
get.
This capital fight. when it gets well
warmed up next year, will be a little
the fiercest thing South Dakota has
passed through in recent years, and
this is saying a good deal. Mitchell is
perfecting a o thorough organiza-
ton and will have some powerful sup
port. Both sides have cut out politics
and all the interests are pulling for
victory. John Sutherland, who only a
little while ago was the boss insur-
gent republican in the state and was
nominated for ar Office by the pop
administration, is chairman of Pierre's
capital committee, and Tom Ayres.
who was long Governor Lees right
hand man, is one Of the working
members. Mitchell has likewise IN
listed men from all parties. and its lit
erary bureau has been placed in the
hands of Tinan, a rock-ribbed demo-
crat. Tinan is a well-seasoned editor,
and when he gets his bureau going it
should show results.
Many %deprecate a capital removal
fight but others welcome it and say
it will clear the atmosphere and be a
good thing. The vote text fall ought
to come pretty nea settling the con-
tention for all time to come. The
state is on its feet financially and is
fairly ready to begin building a state
house and arranging its affairs on a
permanent basis. The legislature of
1905, whether it meets in Mitchell or
Pierre, is likely to take the preliminary
steps for a capitol, and when this work
is nee well advanced, there will be a
tremendous falling off Of removal talk.
Such a project would be blocked at
every turn until a vote was taken.
There are those, therefore. who are
glad the troublesome issue was raised
because of the fair prospect hat it
will be put out of the way forever.
Another thing. Railway building
ought to be stimulated. Mitchell
workers declare that the Milwaukee
will build through to the Hills as part
of its transcontinental scheme. and
Pierre men profess to feel certain that
if the Milwaukee makes a move from
Chamberlain, the North Western will
Offset it by starting westward from
Pierre. Mitchell then points to the
fact that the Northwestern, or Oms.
ha, has q line into Mitchell and will
be a good-sized factor. even though
not the whole thing. at the new CAPT
tai. Mitchell cannot see why the
Northwestern should build a road
from Pierre to the Hills when it al
ready has n line to the land of gold
through Nebraska. No one pretends
to have solved the railroad phase OF
the capital removal question, but there
will probably be something doing be
fore the general election"