Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1890-01-25

4 cry II IUt STATE, INTEREST on the puDllC
debt not being included in the term "or-
binary expenses" as appears from the last
clause of the section. Now when 10 is re-
membered that the ex-nuditor's estimate
OF receipts for the current year, before set
forth, Is based upon a levy of 3 mills on
each dollar Of taxable property. according
20 the late territorial statute, we see that
the direct tax for the year 1890 will be one
third less than the estimate for the current
year, making the estimated total receipts
for the coming year s23T, 1888, and the
deficit as at the present rate of expenses
for the year, s&Ge.2j1.25. From this
amount we may deduct the interest on
state debt, S35,53z.50, leaving thus a deficit
Of S236, 1919.
The popular way out OF a financial
dilemma by borrowing is only partially
open 20 you, as shown by article l3. sec
tions2 aud 8, Of the constitution, which Is
as follows:
''Sec. 2 For the purpose of dcfraying ex.
traordiuary expenses and making public
improvements, or TO meet certain deficits
or failures In revenue. the state may con
tract debts never 10 exceed with previous
debts ia the aggregate Of Sl00,0 600, and no
greater indebtedness shall be incurred ex-
cept for the purpose OF repclling invasion,
SURPRISING Instruction, or defending the
state or the United States in war, and pro
vision shall be made by law for the pay
~ " nv hk'AN ahA kIE
principal when due, by tax levied for the
purpose or from other sources, which law
providing for the payment of such interest
and principal by such tax or otherwise
shall be irrepealable until tsuch debt Ia
paid, provided, however, the state Of South
Dakota shall have the power 20 refund the
territorial debt assumed by the state of
South Dakota"
IL is thus seen that the legislature may
lawfully provide for the issue of bonds 70
cover the territorial Indebtedness assumed
by this state, and may further increase
this Indebtedness TO the of s1O0, 90:
and here the power of the legislature to
create Indebtedness ceases. and still there
viii be a deficit of $l3G, ia. IS. allowing for
the expense OF another session of the iegis-
lature in 1891.
To meet the emergency 10 IL recommended
~ annul all appropr atoms made by the
territorial legislature and 10 cover into the
general fund all unexpended balances re
naming TO each account on the first day of
January. l>SO. Then ascertain as near as
may be, the floating Indebtedness of the
state at the date of its admission into the
union, and provide for It's liquidation by
the issue Of bonds and proceed TO make a
careful estimate Of the amount that will
accrue from a ? mill levy during the eur
rent year, and also the year ensuing for
( ordinary expenses. Then IL is advised that
you take the list of estimated expenses and
provide first for those actually indispen-
sable under careful and economical man
agement and divide the remaining sum
available among the other public institu-
tons and administrative departments so
as 70 best serve the public interest, I'm no
event permitting "A deficiency TO exceed the
limit of $4,000 permissible by the consti-
tuition.
PENAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The reports of tn penitentiary at Sioux
Falls, the reform school at PlankiRton and
the insane asylum at Yankton, are here
with submitted for your inspection as to
the management Of these institutions.
II is thought the labor of the prisoners
Mt Sioux Falls can be made more remun-
~erative to the state and that decisive steps
should he at once taken having in view
this object. The quarries at the prison
doors are believed To bfford means for
bringing about this result. From observa-
ton Of its practical operation the executive
Is strengthened in a former conviction
that the fixing of punishment of criminals
within the discretionary limits allowed by
the statute sholld be left TO the jury rather
than TO the court. The freeman's right 10
a trial by his peers Is believed 10 owe its
value as much 70 this principle as 10 the
determination of the question of his guilt.
1t would seem che peculiar and fitting
province Of the jury TO fix the term of pun
Z bbANB btph Ag niAAAaI% oktAAN III w
ever modify judicial sentences. IL is be-
lieved such verdict IS more readily ac-
quiesced in by the criminal, that punish
ment is thus rendered more uniform and
more in accord with the popular living
\ sentiment whose sanction is so necessary
TO the support of criminal statutes.
The reform school at Plankinton is in its
second year of operation. Ii is believed
that in some instances its inmate have
been committed rather as to an orphan
or %foundiing asylum than to "A penal re
formatory.
II may be q proper subject of inquiry
whether the management has not erred in
this direction, tending somewhat to divert
the inetitution from a penal reformatory
school, and whether a material reduction
of ex expenses may not be made without seri-
Gus detriment TO It's original design. The
building was constructed at a reckless ex-
| penditure, aud more than one-half of IL
has been fitted and e~xtravagantly fur
nished as a home for the management.
Upon the advice of the superintendent il is
recommended that the building be remod-
ele1 so as TO furnish shop room and neces-
sary accommodations for the inmates.
The insane hospital at Yankton Is being
ADMINISTERED in full accord with the pur-
pose of it's creation. The new wing of the
building has been completed during the
past year, and the entire structure is but
little beyond the needs of its present occu-
pancy. IL is "a sad duty to inform you that
the past year has witnessed a large increase
in It's unfortunate inmates. There is no
subject fraaght with more serious import
than the proper management of this insti-
tntion 10 meet the object desired. The in
human and murderous practices shown TO
have existed in similar institutions of other
states have called general attention to this
subject, which deserves you special con-
sideration. The minds of its inmates are
darkened and there is no eye 10 detect or
ear 20 hear or tongue TO report the secrets
OF those sombre walls, and too much care
cannot be given this subject by you as
the representatives of those helpless PEG
Pile.
1t is suggested as n proper subject for
inquiry whether the expenses of the in
mates OF the insane asylum, reform school,
and deaf and dumb and LIND pupils might
not more justly be charged, either wholly
or in part, to the county where they reside.
IL Is earnestly recommended that the
present law be modified with reference TO
the transportation o. prisoners and in
mates to these institutions liz is believed
IL AN officer of sue 4 institution, under reg
ular salary, male or female, rs required,
should be sent To bring the inmates, that
ut least one half of the present enormous
expenditure in this behalf would be cur
tailed.
THE SOLDIERS HOME.
The territorial legislature at its last ses-
sion passed an act to establish at the
famous Hot Springs, In Fall River county,
q home for the defenders of the nation who
may be compelled in their declining years TO