Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1889-08-08
IS IT R1GHT9

For the past few months the public
has had it continually poured into them
by certain reformers that the "old gang''
must be gotten rid of politically before
South Dakota comes into the Union as a
state; that the political atmosphere must
be cleared and certain so-called dishonest
and unreliable men, who are candidates
for Office, buried beyond all hope of res
direction. Voters have been told that
by doing this is the only hope for South
Dakota to be controlled by honest men.
In the furtherance of these ideas the
leaders of the reform movement have sent
out to their following letter containing
instructions as to how they (the follow
ers) shall act in the coming campaign;
how the primaries shall be conducted;
what kind of men shall be endorsed and
Just what shall be done in order to re-
store good and honest government to our
scourged and stricken commonwealth.
The letter referred to was promulgated
by Mr.. Fl. L. Loucks, a gentleman we'll
known in Dakota, and all answers to it
are requested to be sent to Mr.. A. Ward
all of Huron, another gentleman occu-
pying high position in the ranks of
those who desire better government. A
few quotations from this letter-which is
sent, by the way, only to a certain class
of voters be apropos in this con-
nection.
The epistle opens by calling the atten-
ton of the voters to the fact that the
time for town caucuses and county con-
ventions is near at hand, and, as usual,
the old, disreputable "gang" are up to
their old tricks of 'jockeying" the pro-
ceedings. Farther on the letter calls on
the voter to see that snap judgment is
not taken son him by the gang" and
then states: .s'See that credentials are
properly dated and signed by the presi-
dent and secretary Of the meeting, and IF
BEATEN, SEND coNTEsTING DElEaATIoNs
y Capture and control the organ
ization if possible. See that majority
of delegates to state convention are farm
ers-not merely farmers friends-and
that they come down instructed for the
best men and against "the gang" y y
We are not announcing any candidates
but will caucus for them at the farmers
headquarters here Huron and select
the best and strongestmen. y i \
Don't mind the expense this year. \
We want and must have strong work
ing majority in the Legislature this fall.
Insist on farmers and those who are un-
pledged on q. s. senators. y X y
We have not the money to send men all
over the state and the "gang" have
bought up too many Of the papers for us
to get a fair presentation of our claims
through them"
In calling the attention of voters
to matters of primaries, caucuses and
conventions the writer did an eminently
proper thing, as too much attention can
not be paid to them. For doing this we
cannot find fault The writer of the let
ter urges the voters to attend the pri-
mary and convention. So far his advice
is good But he goes farther and, in
stead of advising them to counsel and
labor for harmony and good fellowship,
he urges them, should they chance to be
in the minority, to bolt the convention,
send contesting delegation and infers
that if it is possible the contestants will
be seated regardless of their rights in
premises. This is bad advice and goes
SO far that no fair-minded man can con-
cur in it. The writer, however, fails to
state that II his friends are In the major
ity what rights the minority his oppon-
ents-w have. Is the sauce in this
case for both the goose and gander?
If this is the advice Of the leader who is
to lead us out Of the bondage and give
us good, clean, honest government we
are Of the opinion that he is unsafe and
unworthy OF our support. This govern
ment is founded on the will of the ma
jority. When the minority rebel and re-
fuse to submit, it is treason, anarchy.
This is what this leader advises. aIf
beaten, send contesting delegations"
Farther on he urges that farmers be
sent az delegatesto the state convention.
TO this no one swill object. He also