The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-05-28

OF North Dakota. In ls2 a mass meeting at Fargo elected twenty-five dele
gates to proceed to Washington and urge upon congress the Importance and
delegation. The North Dakotans were defeated in their efforts at Washington
by a delegation Of South Dakotans who feared that the division of the terri
vowing that when South Dakota became a state North Dakota would be her
twin sister That vow was fulfilled when the statehood bill "a approved
on Washngtons. birthday, 1889.
The supreme energies Of North Dakota from 1882 to 1889 were bent in the
direction Of twin born statehood. The removal of the territorial capital ron
Yankton to Bismarck resulted in large measure from the disappointment of
the North Dakota delegation at Washington and the determination of its
members to make a new state, since a new territory was denied. To Alex
ander Mckenzie, the dominating force N the legislative commission appointed
to select a site for the new capital, was due the choice of Bismarck, which
naturally became the state capital Of North Dakota six years later, when Presi
dent Harrison proclaimed the admission.
North Dakohs constitutional convention began at Bismarck o the Fourth
of July, 1889. The president was #. B. Fancher Of Jamestown. On the first
day Of III following October the state election IA held. John Miller was
governor, Alfred Dtkey lieutenant governor and John Fltie secretary
The first state legislature convened at Bismarck. Dec. TO- 1883. Gilbert a.
Pierce, ex-governor of Dakota territory, vas elected n of the United States
senators and Lyman ]. Casey the other Senator Pierce drew the short term.
Other candidates for the senate b received votes In tn legislature we're M.
N. johnson, who came within four votes Of election; Nehemiah G. Ordvay,
Daniel W. Marratta, Harrison Allen, George H. Walsh Porter !. Mccumber
n Judson Lamoure. ".>
In her eighteen years of statehood North Dakota has made remarkable
progress Within a quarter Of a century a region that was practically an
pninbahted nlain hs become the worlds chief wheat producing section. The
future historian, to whom will fall the duty O chronicnng the settlement,
development and achievements of this splendid state, will find his task .
pleasant N There will be in the story plenty of romance and thrill There
will be tales Of adventure and daring, records of endurance n moral courage
unsurpassed. The thriving cities, towns and villages which today dot the
naires all have their ale o strenuous endeavor n crednabe achievement.
The history of North Dakota is the story of a people that have conquered
empire out Of emptiness, that have gathered In a vast untitled area an made
1t blossom in a few years % agricultural greatness. Year by year thu advanc-
ing army of settlers has opened up lev sections by the pillow. First to over-
nm and pacifcate were the wild aborgfnes and in some parts of the com
monwealth the wild animals. Everywhere ws the wild land, the unbroken
sod, which required only the Industrious farmer to make it yield a golden
harvest There have been failures, but here have been more successes than
organized government The survivors of the territorial days aren numerous.
of course,fo r the first child born after statehood is still under age. Those who
the main of that sturdy breed Of which the best Americans arem made, whether
hey come from abroad or from the other states 1t is n a commonwealth like
and North Dakota stands forth before the nation as a splendid example of
wholesome citizenship