Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-24

ltOli. "a. ". Nlellctue. cudlIillall Oh tllE
territorial republican central commit
tee, has issued a circular in which he
strongly urges uponthe republican par
ty the necessity for a full vote next
month. a full vote is not needed to
insure the election of Judge Clifford to
congress, as Il republican nomination is
equivalent to an election in Dakota.
Still it would be compliment worthily
bestowed to give our candidate the en-
tire vote.of his party. We want Il ma
jority to which Judge Clifford can point
with pride when hegoes downto Wash
ington to represent She half million
people Of Dakota. Mr.. Mellette's plea
for a full vote is based upon it's impor-
lance as a basis upon which to estimate
the population Of Dakota and his sug-
gestions are of as much interests to
democrats as to republicans. He holds
that Dakota contains a hundred thou
sand votes and that every n OF these
votes should be thrown into the ballot
box on the fourth of November. Our
representative will then be able to con-
vince congress that Dakota possesses
sufficient population to entitle it to di-
vision and admission. Mr.. Mellette ar
| CUES further:
The vote for delegate at the coming
election will become the basis of repre-
sentation in future conventions for the
selection OF candidates, and in the con-
stitutional convention, and also of rep
resentation IN the legislature to choose
United States senators. if statehood is
attained. No county can afford to ig-
more these facts.
This is an important consideration
and one involving loyalty to the party
ticket. Republican conventions are the
ruling power in this land and in pro-
portion to its representation therein
will each county possess influence and
strength. 1t is therefore the duty Of
republican organizations to labor for a
complete party vote in the various
counties Of Dakota.
Mr.. Mellette; in his circular, lays out
a plan Of operations for the ccnsidera-
ton Of each county committee char
man, andifhls suggestions are followed
out the result will be what it should be
the full vote OF the party at the polls
next month.
Fargo Argus:-The absurd notion is
prevalent quite generally that taxes
will somehow be less if property is rat
ed by the assessors at a fraction of it's
value. In order to make themselves
popular with the people assessors warp
their moral nature by violating their
sworn duty to assess at cash valuation.
1t poems to lie TIE practice iii South
Dakota to get the lowest figures posi-
bic. For instance, in the county IN
which Sioux Falls is the county seat,
horses are put at $22.65, while in Ben
son, in the north, they are assessed at
$50. In Beadle mules are valued at $50,
and in Pembina $14O. No assessor
supposes that a mule is worth only one
fifth as much in South Dakota as in the
north. In Mclean, in North Dakota, a
hog is rated at 50, and in Mcpherson,
in the South, at ninety cents. There is
very little difference in the value on
these animals in the djfferent sections,
and the law is the same for all assess
ors. The board Of equalization can on
ly partially rectlfy these Inequalities
which extend more or less to lands and
town lots us well IS personal property.
The only. point in which it affects the
tax payer is in the general tax, which
is light and a small part Of the entire
taxation. There is a certain amountto
be collected, and the lower the assess
ment the higher the per cent. Ct taxa
ton, There is the disadvantage in low
valuations that they give an impression
to outside parties or newcomers that
taxes are high, Persons looking for
locations are quite apt To- inquire about
the taxes. The valuations of the terri
tory goes out as less than s%1oo,ooo,oo,
while the real, actual value is three
times as much. 1t would be well for
the Legislature to provide for equality
and correct estimates in this matter, so
far as may be practicable.
Mitchell OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES a
man named Bartholomew Godin resid-
ing in 1o2761 was arrested and brought
before Justice Hannett for setting a
prairie fire. !Godin waived examination
and was bound over. He was burning
over his farm, and the fire escaped HIM,
and did about $4,000 amount Of damage
to has, grain, buildings, etc. The stat
utes Of this territory provide that any
person setting a prairie fire shall be
punished by a fine of not more than
81 ONO on1 not lace tbap c1O n NV, M