Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-09-27

interested in the ownership OF. land or
lots or additions in the city OF Bismarck
or county Of Burleigh. With this dis
clsimer and offer to back it up, demand
that the prominent. but yet mythical,
person claiming to have resided in Da-
kota thirteen years, shall either come TO
the front with his associate Moody and
make their false accusations on oath, or
that they and their associate villifiere
shall hereafter and forever hold their
peace. l am the owner of eighty acres
Of land near the town Of Pierre, and not
TO exceed five building lots in other
parts Of the territory.
l am not the owner, neither have
any interest in as much land in Dakota
as would have been entitled to take up
az Homestead had l used my rights
under the pre- -cmption laws. ! have ex-
pended, in travelling upon public bust
| ness and in contributions for the sole
benefit OF the people Of Dakota, over
$4,000 more than have received as my
| salary Tor governor and contingent ex-
penses since assumed Office. Third,
that the auditor, who happens to be my
SOD, and myself constitute majority Of
the board of equalization is also false.
The attorney-general Of the territory
was added to the board at the last ses.
sion OF the Legislative assembly. Conse-
qnently, it requires three membersI to
make majority OF quorum.
That number was present and assessed
the territorial tax at Bismarck on the
18th day OF August last according to law.
The statement Of e1-Judge Moody that
| the territorial tax would fail in case Bis
marck did not legally become the seat OF
government, is all untrue. Sec. SO OF
chapter Is of the code entitled revenue,
reads as follows: "The rate OF the gen
eral territorial tax shall be as directed
by the territorial board of equalization,
or by the territorial auditor; but, IN case
the statement of the levy OF such tax as
hereinbefore directed has not been re-
ceived by the county clerk within ten
days after the first Monday in Septem-
Der. then the said board of county COM
missioners shall levy the general terrific
rial tax at the rate of three mills on the
dollar of valuation" As three was the
rate fixed and assessed by the territorial
board OF equalization, it is immaterial
whether the county clerks assess upon
the order of the board OF equalization, or
under the law above quoted, and no
failures OF the current revenues can pos
sibly happen, even though Moody
should resort to his old tactics used in
the Yankton county reputation suits,
and get his brother. .in.law to bring some
action to rerudiate the territorial tax.
Have you any idea what Moody and
these people expect 10 gain by securing
the publication of such statements, go
easily proven to be untrue?"
IL have studied that phase of :heir at.
tacks closely since the capital removal
bill was brought before the legislature" !"
l have come to the conclusion that
there is an organized desperate effort be-
ing put forth to assassinate my reputa-
tion, and at the same tine by circnlat-
ing privately statements TO the effect
that l have used vile language indis-
criminately against the people OF Yank-
ton and other sections OF southern Da-
kota with view, if possible. to arouse
some crank OF q Guiteau 10 such pitch
OF ofrenzy against the executive that
physical assassination would be attempt.
ed. During the final discussion and
passage, and for sometime afterward
direct threats of assassination were made
IN case should exercise my judgement
and sign the capital removal bill. Threat
ening letters came through the post
OAASC ~ AhuhSou al NY Ludll, aUQ Oh one
occasion. upon opening letter
received in my postoffice bag
at Yankton, l found coarse
likeness Of myself, cut from the Press
and Dakotaian. which had been sur
rounded by psalm, with hand and re.
volver in the act of discharging painted
upon portion of the paper. a bullet
Role painted in the corner of the fore.
head with red ink, resembling blood
streaming down over the face, fully il
Illustrating the spirit which animated moi
oil of the people of Yankton-for there
are very many good and pure womer
there-but desperate, inscription
ring. many of whom have robbed tn,
government, bulldozed civil and judicia
United States officials. and packed
jurles to screen their confederates
In making these statements, whicl
have withheld from publication up t,
this time, l wish it to be distinctly un
derstood that do not now assail, neithe
have l ever assailed, the integrity o.
reputation of the masses Of the people Q
Yankton, Sioux Falls, or of any portion
of Dakota, 1t has been painfully au
parent, however, that the voice of tn
better element has been silenced, an
that arrant demagogues have forced hor
est people into reputation and disgrace
full practices.