Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1889-01-17
From tho Capitol ut the Capital.

BISMARCK, OAK, Jan. II 1889.
Editor Herald:-The last Dakota territorial
legislature has Just been organized. AS III the
last session. the farmers are largely in the ma
jority in both houses. We have thirty.three
farmers in the house. With this majority they
could control all legislation, Considerable radl-
cal legislation against railroads and bankers,
and corporations generally, las already been
introduced, and lots more to follow. But this
farmer element is unorganized may say 1t is
dsorganized. They do not seem to unite on any
proposition. They started in with supporting
lawyers for speaker of the house. and divided
their forces between Aiken and Keith and got
into a bitter wrangle. Keith getting twcnty-thrce
farmer votes and Aiken ten. This knocked
Aiken out, His record two years ago in toady-
ing to Church in order to get the appointment
OF AdJ.-Seneral was used strongly against him.
and then, aitho Frank is a good fellow, he puts
on airs. and it Is said that he considers himself
to resemble the great New York statesman.
Roscoe Conklln. Keith is more In accord with
the farmers alliance than Aiken. had another
object in supporting Keith rather than Aiken.
Aiken is attorney for the contractors and super
intcndent OF construction at the lankton insane
hospital and whether intending or not. would
doubtless be biased in appointing committee
to investigate that institution.
Speaking of farmers alliance legislation, an
attempt was made Saturday to amend the rules
OF the house so that any Alliance" business
could be called up at any time out OF its regular
order on majority vote. The" Alliance" mem
bers divided on the question and defeated it,
| 1t appears to me, thus early in the session,
that If the farmers don't unite their forces and
stand together, at the end of tile session, they
| Will be in the ssme condition as they were two
years ago; buried under mass of the most cor
rupt legislation ever enacted.
| Gov. Church has not many warm friends in
this legislature. Already bills have been intro
duced to strip him of all the powers conferred
upon him two years, and they will pass You
will see that Turner county is well recognized on
the committees, having two important chair
| manships and also positions in all the import
ant committees Railroads. appropriations,
| Judiciary. charitable and penal institutions and
| others. The special committee on the Yankton
insane asylum investigation will probably soon
| be appointed as bill has been introduced by
Van Osdcl of Yanktcn for the appointment of
such committee. GOV. Churer tells me he favors
the investigation.
The bill for rc-convenlng the constitutional
convention. introduced by me on Wednesday
last meets with considerable favor. and think
will pass. You viii notice from the reports that
l introduced Il bill (No. 2l.) for paying off our
long delinquent road warrants and providing
u means OF paying our road supervisors what is
justly their dues.
send you copies of these two bills and, If you
could lind space for them, should like to see you
print them.-[No2l not received Ed Herald
Yours Truly,
"A"