Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1904-01-29

~ AooCu AoEIo. IL tuo MllWhuhoc
builds west from Chamberlain and
Evarte, and this will be done, then the
entire country from Hot Springs and
Edgemont to Belle Fourcne will be
within reasonable distance from
Mitchell"
Thus spoke man who seems to have
given The location question some study
as to the convenience of the public,
and when one looks over the railroad
map Of the state, Mitchell is found to
be population and railroad center,
which one can reach from any poiut in
the state east of the Blach Hills, with
ease and comfort, and not night ride
anywhere only coming from Pierre
to Wolsey. When man has to ride
all day and the greater part of the night
in the winter time, to reach State
capitol, it is time it was changed to
some point where the people could get
there between meals.
After the first winter session of the
legislature at Pierre, a constant and
growing demand for the removal of the
capitol has been heard all over the
state, with the EXCEPTION of tho local
interest embraced within circle of so
miles. II the capitol had been located
at Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Huron or Red
field in the beginning, no ono would
have ever heard Of a removal comb.
nation. Pierre is not to blame for this
unfortunate condition, nor are her
good citizens 10 blame for the con-
ditious that favor 4 more central
point.
There is no use in knocking" any
part Of the state in discussing the capi-
tol relocation. just ask any man who
has ever gone to Pierre in the winter or
during the legislature, what he thinks
of the location and especially of that
charming night rider We have heard
expressions about the present capital
location that would not do in print.
Every man in the state who has gone
to Pierre in the summer or in the
winter knows that Pierre is not the
proper location for the capital of South
Dakota People living in Yankton,
Mitchell. Huron Redfield, Aberdeen or
Watertown can 60 to Chicago about as
quick as they can go to Pierre, and for
comfort on the Illinois route as between
that and Pierre don't ever mention it.
Had the capitol gone to any town in
the populous center of the state be-
tween Yankton and Aberdeen, the peo.
pie would have been satisfied. The
capitol is of no benefit to Pierre and
never would be If it remained there for
all time, because the condition of the
country west OF Pierre will always
keep at least three quarters Of the popu'
lation east Of the Missouri river for the
same reason that you find the bulk Of
the population in Nebraska and Kansas
in the eastern half Of those states.
Railroads will be built across the res
eryation and on west for through traf'
fic just as the Burlington built from
Edgemont, s. D. to Billings, Montana,
through country where little grows
but sage brush and cactus, but it is a
great sheep country, just as the west
half Of our state is great cattle coun.
try, and we are proud Of the splendid
possibilities of the reservation country
for poor men to make fortunes in cattle
and horses, but no reservation boomer
looks for anything more than cattle
county population. and we all know
what that il. 49,.
1t will be blessing. to Pierre when
the capitol is moved, for then her peo-
pie will 60 ahead and do something for
themselves. Sometimes q capitol will
help town, but it was always curse
to Yankton and it has been no benefit
to Pierre-it came near bankrupting
every man that had dollar to put up.
The capitol a. Mitchell would not
only help that town but the entire state
east Of the Missouri river, while its re-
moval would not make dollars differ.
ence one way or the other 20 the coun-
try west of the Missouri.