The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-07

IN what u now North Dakota, there
Were no branch lines Of the Great
Northern and it, main line extended
only from Fargo to Grand Forks and
west g far . Bartlett-a few miles
east oG Devils Lake. The Northern
Pacific had not completed its hne to
the Pacific but had gotten beyond
the western boundary Of the territory.
Il owned a branch from Casseltoi1 to
Blaucherd Or Mayville and It had
built the Southwestern to LaMoure
or Edgeley. and possibly one or two
other branch lines, and the Milwau-
kee was reaching into Fargo from Or
tonville. In the southern part of the
territory, the lines extended from the
east to Aberdeen. to Pierre, to Cham
berlain, and to Yankton, with some
cross lines. It's entire railroad sys-
TEN belonged to the Chicago. Mil
Waukee, and st. Paul and the North
western roads.
LEGISLATURE AT YANKTON
The legislature OF 1883 met in Yank-
ton in January, apparently with no
thought Of capital removal. Prior to
that date territorial institutions had
been located in the southern half and
ct that session the penitentiary. the
insane asylum, the university. and the
agricultural college. were duplicated
Tor the northern half.
On the assembling of the legisla-
t,lre it was recognized that the two
railroads mentioned would be very
important factors sometime in the re-
location Of the capital; that they
would desire to locate it where 1t
would do them or one Of them the
most good, and that contest might
result between the two systems, then
In process Of development and extern
SION. The roads were uncertain as to
the future location OF their lines and
what cities might be their principle
detectives.
It was understood that they had
agreed that as far as they could in
fluence the legislature, there should
be no immediate attempt made to
change the capital, that all action
should be delayed until the officials
o. the railroads might determine
where its location would best serve
their interests.
Members OF the legislature con-
TERED secretly and it was determined
that the legislature was the proper
body to control the capital location
and that the time to do 20 was be-
fore the railroads were prepared fos
it, and It was recognized that 20 many
cities would become candidates before
the legislature, II it attempted to
make the location. that majoeities OF
both houses never would come to az
agreement.
The location Of the national cap.
ltal, within certain limits, had beer
left to President Washington. and II
some other instances the location o.
public institutions had been dele
gated to officials Or commissions. Ac'
cordingly It was determined to secure
II possible, the passage Of . measure
removing the capital from Yanktol
and providing that itsshould Be re-
leceted by : commission consisting
Of nine members, Ill named In til
bin. Our legiejatoes. Ia those days
woeo not hiGlher- minded than Wer'
Hamilton epd jefferson, and the!
Isro MT Gvogse y adopting log-toll
'b1g ulethod6 - enaet o. defeat TIL
eapt1al renDosd measure and ] -
olsine thet eoase votes were seeurel
~ tho l9oosl1re ~ . ju61ctous -
4etioQ q fa0eo n4Aae1 y sesvo .
usombegs q tho cec>miaGioe. ! ~
- g III legislature q IL end mey
enn1S~ saoa9oaanllv alA0aak tlaA 091I