The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1893-01-07
the INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Governor Sheldon Makes His Bow
to the Legislature.
4 Liberal Policy Advocated Toward the
Worlds Fair and the Soldiers Homs
INST an Enemy OF Railroads,
but They Must Not Rlls.
Governor Sheldon's inaugural address
delivered to the South Dakota legisla-

i n - = .
"a .sfs
Governor Sheldon IS inaugural address
delivered to the South Dakota legisla-
ture January 3 is as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
Representatives: congratulate you that
we meet under such favorable auspices.
The condition of our affairs throughout
the state is not only highly gra flying,
but We feel justified in the hope that we
nave measurahly passed that period of
adversity which has been SO generally
the experience of thc people Of newly set
tied states
Our settlement has not only been phe-
n0menal, but we have come almost in a
Z DAY to take our place as one of the great
grstn producers in the sisterhood OF states
Our stock and mining interests ars
rapidly assuming vast proportions, and
We gladly believe that the time is not fur
distant when South Dakota will occupy
an enviab BILE position for its productions,
the virtue of It's laws, and the character
of Its people.
Much Of prosperity is often credited,
and Of adversity charged to the party
having control Of the state. The eyes Of
the people are turned toward you in a
very positive manner and they are anx-
iously hopeful tnat the trust and conf
dence they have reposed in you may be
realized. They understand full we'll that
u Is not in the multitude of laws
that their interests are best subserved,
bnt they are expecting that your enact
ments shall be such rs tend to their pros
perity and that these laws, when made
shall be faithfully administered. It is our
duty to sec that SO fnr as lies in our power
TO prevent, they are not disappointed.
Among the subjects t, which your atten-
tion is respectfully invited, is the making
yJ10k
suitable appropriation for an exhibit OF
the resonrces of the state at this Golum-
bian exposition at Chicago during the
present year, and to provide by law for its
expenditure.
a. numeer of our patriotic citizens or
ganizing themselves into a commission
have raised from among our people con-
siderable sum of umoney and have ex-
pended the same in erecting at Chicago
what they have deemed suitable build
ing for the use of the state, and in gather
ing material for the exhibit. Neither the
building nor the material for the exhibit
IS complete You will be asked to reim-
burse these citizens for money alrea ly ex-
pended, and assume state control of their
enterprise, making provision for the ap-
Pointment of snch number of onr people
for its management as in your Judgment
you may deem necessary.
A large amount of land granted
10 = Dy tne boVernlnenb 1Or state
and educational purposes still remains
unsolicited for want of means to defray
the expense of its selection and certif1ca-
tion. Wisdom would seem to indicate
that these lands should be secured as
speedily as possible before all our most
valuable land is taken by settlers under
our homestead law. An appropriation
for this purpose will beasls a by the stat,
and it is believed Il reasonable amount
should be granted.
In this connection / desire to call your
attention to an act of congress giving to
this state one section of and in the Sisse-
ton military reservation with the fort
military purposes. The act mentioned
declares that whenever it shall BE- used
otherwise than as provided, or shall cease
to be so used it shall revert to the gov
ernnient The wisdom of accepting It
under these conditions is questionable.
The expense which the state must incur
in providing con servator for the prop
erty and the keeping of the buildings in
repair Will greatly increase the cost of
the maintenance of our militia While
at the sametima we would be compelled to
hold our annual muster at a po.nt remote
from railroads, demanding expensive
transport to and from the ground
would respsctfully suggest that
the attention of our senator's and rep
resentatives in congress be called to these
matters and that they be asked to secure,
it in their power, such change in the act
as shall make it possible for MS to take
the property, notasa u donation for spe-
cifc purposes, but as indemnity land.
The revision of our oil inspection law is
thought to b. worthy Of your careful cor
sideration. The safety of our people and
the preservation Of their property would
seem to demand TINT careful inspection
shull be had. not only of Illuminating oil,
but also of ga ,oline used within Til state
It is believed that this may b..
accomplished by amendment of our
present law. increasing both the duties
nnd the compensation of the inspector,
giving grenter satisfaction and security
to our people without any increase of
their burden.
z The frequency of explosions of steam
boilers nscd IA thresl,ins, causing great
loss of life, ism urgent appeal that some
thing be done to insure greater SAFETY in
their use, and eirne silly urge upon you,
il it shall be in your power, the enact.
ment of a law to psovida fp. the nspec-
tion Of steam boilers, and the careful ex
animation rs to their competency of per-
sons who may be employed as engineers.
There is much complaint among
our people of d ,scriminating freight rates
Us charged by soms of the railroads doing
business in this stat, I am not one of
those VINO believe in in,lisrrinlinatc war
upon railroads. l have tried to fully
recognize the fact that without them the
greater part of our state would be unin-
hnbltable, except rs grazing country:
that i'll many instances they have been the
pioneers and have been opa paratetl u t n loss;
that we are yet very anxious that more
roads should he built, especially those
which shall connect the EASTERN portion of
the state with our rich nj ming regions il,
the Black Hills; yet we know that
without the people the roads would
be yalueless and they should not be per-
mittcd to become our masters.
The republican state convention held nj
Madison, passed unanimously Il resolu-
tion asking th.t the board of railroad
commi issinners hereafter be made elect
i've. with such increased power as shall
make abuse Of It's privilege by any rail
road In the state longer impossible. There
are many Of our citizens who honestly
question the eNpcdiency of making these
commissioners elective, oa the ground
that its effect may be to bring the rail-
roads into our politics, and that Il board
appointed BY the governor is quits as
likely to be efficient, as If Sc
was, hover. in respons, to u
popular 1nanl that III resolution re-
ferrsd to was passed, and it isJny duty to
present THIS nia.tnr to you for your con
sidera ion. Meantime it is hoped that our
present railroad board may be invested
WIN SuNd IaNtNtoCtlg gksO"SE dts WAS con
tcmplated by the resolution.
\ The prosperity of our public institu-
tions is something which our psop.e very
much desire. Although SO Young as d
state, we point with pride TO the proris-
ion which ha, been made for the educa-
tion of our childran, and the care of orr
'unfortunatns. These institutions cannot
be maintained without money
and the people pay Willingly
for such purpose. Appropriations
amounting IN tbs; ;.g sregate TO consider
able sum, will perhaps be asked for their
support by thosa having their immediate
charge. Wiile we ough. to remember
that their proper maintenance is imp ra-
tive, yet eonjnrc yau tliut yon carefully
examine all ciainls impnetially, and never
forget that 4 reckless use of the peoples
mon " is criminal.
.Anestiniat of the appropriation required
for the Inaintenapce OF tbs soldiers home,
snd for snch repairs and improvements as
seem necessary. is prepared by the board
having the institution in charge,
end will BIZ presented to you
for yonr consideration, 1t gives our peo-
pie pleasure to know TINT tha conduct
ther of has i,een;s marked success The
big hearted man wlo has b.sn the com
mantiant inca the establishment. q; he
home. has made 1t in the highest sense
what was onscm piatad in The lew crea.-
lar !. i, =.