Cleveland signs the Enabling Act admitting four northwestern states

Legislative Context. The Enabling Act of 1889 was a United States statute that permitted the entrance of Montana and Washington into the Union, as well as the splitting of the Territory of Dakota into two states: North Dakota and South Dakota. The act was enacted on February 22, 1889, during the administration of President Grover Cleveland, authorizing these territories to form state governments.

Territorial Arrangements. The act specified that the Territory of Dakota would be split along the seventh standard parallel. Initial convention centers for North Dakota and South Dakota were designated as Bismarck and Sioux Falls, respectively, though the latter was later changed to Pierre. Representatives from the new states were required to hold elections and submit results by April 15, 1889.

Congressional Representation. At the time of the bill's passing, Montana, Washington, and North Dakota were entitled to one representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. South Dakota was allowed two representatives due to its higher population. North and South Dakota representatives were to assemble at a joint convention in Bismarck to decide the borderline between the two states.