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168 of Yankton College, and Rev. Stewart Sheldon, and, though the price of land did not increase very rapidly, he had, by 1882, so impressed his views upon the people that it was generally said that the ten-dollar idea should be made the rule.

The first wide-reaching movement in this direction was a convention of citizens held at Canton, June 21, 1882, when an executive committee was appointed to promote the division and statehood idea. This committee carried the matter to the territorial legislature the next winter and secured the passage of a bill providing for a constitutional convention for South Dakota, but the bill was vetoed by Governor Ordway. This veto caused much indignation among the people of South Dakota and did very much to arouse the people to the necessity of prompt action. The executive committee thereupon called a delegate convention to meet at Huron, June 19, 1883. Every county in South Dakota was there represented by its strongest men. Its action was most calm and dignified. A solemn ordinance was passed providing for a constitutional convention for the south half of Dakota territory to be held at the city of Sioux Falls on September 4 of that year.

Pursuant to this ordinance, an election was held for delegates and they assembled at Sioux Falls in September. Hon. Bartlett Tripp was elected president of the convention, which was composed of the ablest men from every community. An excellent constitution was framed, and submitted to the people at the November election, and adopted by an almost unanimous vote. A committee of