The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-07-18
The Independent Movement.

The STAR has refrained from pro-
nouncing either words of criticism or
approval Of the independent move
ment in South Dakota politics. For
the eason that the STAR believes in
the %inalienable right Of American
citizenship to agitste, to go of into in
dependent movements if it is SO dis
posed. The republican party was at
one time an independent party. While
the STAR is republican and sees no oc-
casion for an Independent movement,
yet there may be men that are not as
we'll satisfied as the STAR. The STAR
does not believe that the crack Of the
party whip should be the only argu-
ment brought to bear to bring men
into any party. II the principles a
party advocates, and the measures it
approves and enforces do not command
the support of men it should not be
supported, be the party republican,
democrat, independent or any other.
One person has the right to differ from
another on questions Of political, social
or commercial economy and if enough
men entertain the same views upon
any question to form a party it is their
right. Good always results in the long
run from agitation. When men orr
ganize a party and place in nominal
ton men for civil Offices, it is perfectly
right that those men be subjected to a
sitting process. A party must be
measured largely by the kind of men
it places in nomination and upon this
basis the STAR calculates to measure
this independent party. We have, as
before stated, Withheld criticism until
now and il this independent party had
placed men in nomination that were
clean the STAR would have nothing to
say, but the result Of the state conven-
ton is ample proof that this %independ-
ent movement IS not worked up by the
rank and file Of those that are not sat
isfed with the actions of the old par
ties, but by a few ambitious dema-
gogues that have long wanted official
position but have failed to get what
they wanted al the hands of the old
parties and have agitated this new
movement hoping thereby to secure
personal advantage. Take for instance
the head Of the ticket, H. l.. Laucks.
No greater demagogue or political
charlatan ever posed before the people
in any capacity. If the independents
had placed in nomination a man for
governor that was an honest, unselfsh
advocate of the interests of the farm.
ers and laboring men it would have
been different, but he is not. Els ca.
reer in Dakota stamps him anything
but that. Take from him the hope
of personal prcferment and how long
would he advocate the interests of the
tailoring man or farmer? Reduce him
to the ranks and his fidelity to the al.
lance would soon ooze out. He is
getting a fat salary and can well afford
TO be enthusiastic. There is anothe,
nominee Of this party-one Of the nom.
inees for congress, Frank A. Leavitt
an ex-greenbacker; a chrome Office
seeker-the writer knows him we'll
He is a blatant bowler against monop
olies. And yet it has been observed
that when F. A. Leavitt has a sinch b,
holds it.
The STAR doubts not that the ranl
and file Of the Independents are sin
cere, but so long as they use such mel
as those mentioned as their moutl
pieces they can hope for very it'll