Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-06-07

respondent that the general outlook is
far better at this time than at the same
time of year for several seasons. The
rains came just in time to save the
wheat and oats. From all sections
wheat is reported to be starting out
well, and less spotted than has been the
case for several seasons. Late seeding
is the best, and, with other conditions
favorable, will be a big yield. 1t has
been a little cold for corn, but the warm
days of this week will urge that along.
Taken as a whole, there is no reason to
find fault with the crop outlook in South
Dakota,
TIT WHISKY QUESTION.
The people OF South Dakota are in
bad shape on the saloon question.
There is nc denying that they are dis
appointed at the turn matters have
taken, In the past. during terri
torialhood, a small revenue was realized
from saloon licenses; then came state
hood and constitutional prohibition
backed bya strong public sentiment, and
now m that Original package" de-
c~lsion, and in nearly all the cities in
the state saloons are in operation in
defiance of public sentiment, if not in
violation of law. In this city there are
at least a dozen original package sa-
looms. The proprietors advertise their
business boldly and fearlessly, Prob
ably no beer or whisky is
drank on the premises, but it
is just as easily obtained
as it was during the days of the open
saloon. The fact is there is more intox-
~ication OF the streets than known here
for years. Prohibition in South Dakota
is a dismal failure. Thus far no movo
has been made, in this section at least,
by the enforcement league to check
these open saloons. The original
friends of prohibition stand around
helplessly watching the prosperity OF
the enemy they sought to strangle.
There never was q more Inactive set of
people than the prohibitionit Is of South
Dakota. In time they promise TO swoop
down on the original package fellows
like a Kansas cyclone. 1t does not look
as il they need delay twenty-four hours
for evidence. Men in court, arrested
for drunkenness, do not hesitate to say
where they got their whisky, and yetno
effort has been made TO stop these
saloons. Certainly the prohibitionists
Of South Dakota are in a sad plight.
THE FARMER IN POLITICS.
The Farmers alliance of South
Dakota will probably move in politics
this year. The outlook is now that the
alliance will try TO capture the ~repuDli-
can state convention, and if it fails in
this it will either put a ticket of it's own
in the field or try to capture the legisla-
ture. But the alliance is a double
header, and may weaken its influence
as a political factor. Loucks leads one
side and Crosse and Needom the other,
and they differ seriously on many sub
iects. On the 4th Of June the alliance
holds n convention at Huron, at which
time it will be decided whether or not
it will quit farming and go into politics.
This is nearly wholly an agricultural
state, and the future may develop con
siderable music from the agricultural
classes. Beyond question the farmers
Of South Dakota are entitled to recogni-
ton, and politicians concede this: but
the only trouble really apprehended is
as to how far the farmers may push their
claims and how many Of the Offices they
want.
E~M1GRANTs COMING BACK.
During 1889 there was quite an emf
grafton from central South Dakota to
the southern states. Kentucky, Tenn
essee and Alabama caught some of the
earlier boomers. But these men are
gradually wandering back to this state.
While they claim that there are chances
for money-making in the south, the sur.
roundings are not %conRenial and invest
ments not SC sure as those in tho north
west. Many Of the northern men get
homesick, and seem glad to got back to
this country, which certainly promises
as much as any section in the United
States. A person who had operated for
some months in eastern Tennessee said
to the writer last week:
1.-THE real estate boom down there is
peculiar. If you happen to get into the
'swim'-that is, strike a town aud get
hold OF property where northern cap
ital seeks investment in manufactures
you are all right; but just now the op-
~portunities are few. ] believe right
here in South Dakota investments are
surer. We get out of heart certain
years, but my experience is hat invest
ments here are surer in the end than in
any part | visited Of the south. Dakota
is good enough for me, and ! will not
lose any more money by leaving it,"
HURON VS.. PIERRE.
The fight for the capital of South Da-
kota has narrowed down to Huron and
Pierre. Both of these cities are bustling
and spending money. The public seems
to have caught on to the idea that it is
a financial campaign, and acts accord
ingly. 1t appears as if Huron was sup
ported by the stronger papers Of the
state, and thus far has the advantage in
the campaign. Pierre Is hu%stling-in
fact, both cities are hustling for all
there is in it.
MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE,
Memorial day was generally observed
in the state. There is probably no state
in the union with a larger per cent. OF
soldier population than South Dakota,
and the veterans do not forget their
dead. Hence the day in South Dakota
has a meaning.
Editor MofIctt Defeated.