Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1890-10-03

s VIM y In SNbNNSUss
a special session Of that body by the first
of August that amendments may be sub
mitted in time for us to vote on at the
election in November, as notice Of any
amendments must be published for
twelve weeks before the election day, and
that if such special session was not held,
we could make no change in that consti-
tuition until the November election, 1892,
or in other words, that practical irriga-
tion could not be accomplished by state
aid until the summer of 1893, and this
condition could not be endured by our
people for three years to come. At that
convention our people determined to take
steps at once to tthe governor to con-
vene special session Of the legislature.
A committee was appointed to call a state
irrigation convention at Woonsocket on
June 4th last. A few days after this /
met the governor at this city and stated
to him the desire ofthis people. He was
opposed to call a special session.
The Woonsocket convention was called
and prior to its being held Iwrote to the
governor requesting him to be present
He never made his appearance. That
state convention filled the court house
and was unanimous for the call and q
committee was appointed to secure a call
for oso1c 10 A hn
Independent convention of farmers held
at Huron in July, the same anxiety for
irrigation was manifested and a COM
mittce was appointed to urge the gov.
ernor to call this special session. He was
waited upon by this committee and he
refused to call such sessions. Now comes
the irony and taunting resolutions Of the
convention At Mitchell on irri-
cation; the changing the constitution 70
accomplish it and so heartily endorsed by
Governor Mellettc within three weeks
after he had made it impossible to amend
the constitution for nearly three years 70
come! Whata commentary upon the
stupidity Of the management Of the af-
fairs Of this state. Large portions Of our
people have got to be helped by public
charities the coming winter. Many
farms will have to be sold for taxes, and
not withstanding this we are told by
public authority that the revenues of the
state will not pay the expenses Of the
state into s3OO.OOO. That the state
equalization board made up Of some Of
these public officers has raised the assess
ment of our farm valuations 25 per cent.
and other property still more, with no re-.
duction in the rate Of levy. In the name
|of Heaven if our people have already
been burdened with taxation more than
they can bear, how can they pay the pro-
posed increase? Can it be possible that
the management of this state is SO vicious
as to deliberately plan to force the present
population Of farmers from this state,
that the money loaners and othercapital-
lists may come in and occupy and
possess our cultivated fields? Icannot
believe it, Irather believe this misman-
agement has resulted wholly from the
want of proper craftsmanship. an M
telligent, active understanding of the
condition of our people and the absolute
need Of irrigation to put this country
into a suitable condition to make
agriculturl reasonably profitable. <
X < +
If ever in the history of a people a time
came when the farmer should assert his
power it is such a time as this. There
should be no division in their ranks. For
farmers not to stand by each other at
such an hour as this is almost crime
at all events, not to do SO means continu-
ed depression and ruin in the material
industries of the country.
Yours very respectfully,
w. HI. CURTIS.
KIMBALI, S. d., Sept. 6. 1890.