The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-08-05
BETTER ON ALL POINTS
Postotfice Inspector Planert Discusse
MitchelIs Location as to the
Capital.

Redtield Press: In casual CONVEX
sation recently Mr.. Frank Planert,
who is a post office inspector and
who has been working over the state
for nearly two years, expresses it as
bis opinion that Mitchell was Ger.
tainly a winner in the fight for the
location Of the capital if the contest
between Mitchell and Pierre was set
tied purely on the basis of accessible,
ity and economy, and which, we be-
lieve should be considered in decid-
ing this proposition. Mr.. Planert
said, in effect:
"Even to the most casual observer
it is very apparent that the conven-
fence Of at least two-thirds Of the
people of the state would be sub
served by having the capital located
at Mitchell, and that the character
of the country west and north Of
that point is such that even the
most optimistic cannot foresee a
very radical change in the center of
population. That part of the state
west of the Missouri river as well as
a material area Of that part imme-
diatly east, while adapted to graz
ing, will never support the popula-
ton which is even now found in the
southeastern parts. So far as the
Black Hills district is concerned,
the distance to Mitchell is appre-
ciably less than to Pierre by
the present facilities for reaching
them, and as to encouraging the
building of a railroad across the
nloinc thn pnnpla Nf fl,ot contioo mr.
we'll as those in the eastern part of
largely benefited by a road which
would create no more competition
than now exists, and it would seem
that the securing of a competing
line, which the locating of the cap
ital at Mitchell would encourage,
would be the most reasonable view
OF that feature Of the contest.
LAS regards the site, surround
:ngs. probable growth Of the town,
facilities for accommodating a zap
ital and having in view the impress
sion made upon the minds Of those
who have occasion to visit it, l
would say that Mitchell is so obvi-
ously in advance of Pierre that IA
reasonable comparison can not be
made. True that Pier1e has the
geographical central location. and
were it reasonable TO presume that
this would, eye in the distant flu
ture, be also the center of the popu-
lating, then a proposition to move
the capital would seem to me to be
absurd, but l do not think that DIN
u%nprejudiced observer can anticipate
such a contingency. OF that the
danger line will ever be properly
drawn west Of the Missouri river.
but am we'll satisfied that the rela-
tive proportion Of population VII,
continue as it now exists, with but
the now sparSely settled parts Of the
state.
son the score of economy, the
time and mileage saved by locating
the capital nearer the center of pop
ulation is of itself an item Of which
the tax payers are all interested, and
the same time, to those whose per-
sonal business of pleasure cause
them to visit the seat Of govern
ment, becomes much larger.
"SOuth Dakota should have a capt.
tai which is accessible and certainly
should have quarters more approp1iat
and in keeping with its dignity than
are now provided, and which the cas-
ual visitor may reach without resent
Ing the inconvenience and leave With
out the memory of his visit being
one of surprise and disappointment.
and of the two locations Mitchell is
so tar in advance that it would seem
that it should have a decision in its
favor so overwhelming as TO be prac-
ideally unanimous
This statement, coming from one
whose training causes Dim to view a
proposition from the LASTS of the
facts presented, and not to form an
opinion without careful iuyestiga-
ton, should commend itself TO those
who viii be called upon to decide
whether or not the capital should be
relocated, and the more 50 as Mr.,