The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-05-10
Communications.
The sleux rails Consultation.

into the wake of public sentiment and
endorse the Sioux Falls constitution.
But in this you are acting only an hon.
orable part so long as that constitution
does not commend itself to your honest
judgment.
Personally. would very much like to
endorsel this constitution since l am
anxious that, we may glide into the Union
on equal footing with the original thir.
teen states with as little friction as pos.
sible. aad If the voting down this con
stitution would unreasonably delay our
admission into the Union, I would ad-
wise its adoption. though l consider 1t
defective In many of its parts.
have carefully read over this consti-
tuition five or six times with a view to
understand in%telligsntly all of its provis-
ions. find many excellent qualities in
it and some very Objectionable ones. 1t
is to be regretted that so many Of our
people will vote on this constitution who
actually will know nothing of Its terms.
As you have frequently expressed a de-
sire that l might give yon tho result Of
= my investigation Of this Instrument, l
1wAB, call the attention OF tho readers of
the GRAPHIC to some of its provisions.
fear many will be much disappointed
after voting for it to find SO much iegis-
lation in 1t that they little dreamed of
First: the U. 8. constitution provides a
check upon Congress by the exercise Of
veto power by The President. When
this veto power is exercised it then re-
quires two thirds of all the members Of
each house of Congress to- vote TOR the
vetoed measure before it can become a
law. and this Same requirement as to the
legislatures and governors is made in all
the state constitutions of which I have
knowledge. That is, IL tnkes two-thirds
of all the members in both houses of the
legislature to pass o bill over the COVER
ner's veto. 1t is reserved for this
Sioux Falls constitution to change this
wholesome rule. 1t provides for no such
check upon any possible vicious legisla-
ton. Under it the governors veto has
scarcely any Significance. Chap. 4, Sec,
o, provides that when a bill is vetoed by
tho governor he shall return it to the
house for reconsideration, and after such
consideration should two-thirds of the
members present agree to pass the bill it
shall be sent TO the other branch of the
legislature, and should two-thirds Of the
members present Of that body also agree
to the bill, it shall become a law, the
governor veto Notwithstanding. A ma.
jority OF the members elected to each
house constitutes a quorum TO do bust
ness. So that if only q quorum is pres
ent two-thlrds of a majority of the mem
bers elected may force a law, however
obnoxious or destructive it may be to
the general public. The most villainous
jobbery may be forced through the leg.
f~slature, If a majority Of the members
SO determine-thc governor cannot
block 1.-THE is helpless under this sec
ton.
Again: this constitution provides for
exemptIng from taxation the property
used exclusively for Agricultural and
ious, cemetry and charitable purposes,
but as to individuals no exemptions what
ever shall be allowed exceeding 5000.
This you will observe makes no restric
tent or value of the land and property
they may hold or W forthe purpose of
their organization. The present laws of
the territory limit the property of the
religious and benevolent institutions ex.
empt from taxation to three acres of
land and the buildings thereon. And
also exempt to each individual his'pri-
vate library not exceeding 800 in value;
all his family pictures; the household
furniture of each family; beds and bed.
ding; all wearing apparel actually used
for wearing. not exceeding 1900 in value
all food and fuel for one years use; one
fourth of any quarter section on which
five acres of timber shall be planted, to
gother with all Improvements thereon
not exceeding 81, GOO In value md for {
ton years; all Improvements made on
real property by setting out forest Oh
fruit trees. shrubbery or vineyards; ant
all pensions from the United States
These exemptions from taxation are EN-
phatieally in the interest of the farmer
and the poorer classes of our people
We have been assured that, If we would
plant i've acres to forest trees the forty
acres IN which we should plant them
together with the improvements thereon
should be exempt from taxation for ten
years. to IN assessed value of $1,000. Blu
this constitution sweeps all this aside
except the paltry sum of 5000 on person
al property. Truly, under this csnstitu
ton the tax assessor musl begin will
our cradle and end with our coffin.
Again: many of us are already con
WINGED that this portion Of Dakota is to-
dry to make grain raising practically
prsftablc, Industry and that the onl.
way in.whioh this country can be s.
changed as to make agriculture prof,
able Is by an extended system OF arte
sian wells. That this same opinion will
very soon be generally entertained by
the mass Of our people l have no doubt
But when such an opinion shall prevail
and the people conclude that they hav
got to get out Of this country or con
struct a~rtesian wells in Gevary township
and ill up our lake beds with water, S.
that, by evaporation, onr atmosphere
mayl be rendered more humid and Great
more dews, they will find that they ca,
not secure these wells without a large ex
penditure of money, and that. too, o
borrowed capital. and then to their as
tcaishnent they will realize thai thei
constitution makes it impossible TO
them to enter upon such an enterprise
they will have foolishly or t~houghtless
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