The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-07

except as a grazing country: that in
many instances they have been the
pioneers, and have been operated at
a lOSS:that we are yet very anxious that
more roads should be built, especially
those which shall connect the eastern
portion OF the state with our rich
mining region in the Black Hills; yet
we know that without the people
the roads would be valueless and they
should not be permitted to become
our masters.
The Republican state convention
held at Madison passed unanimously
a resolution asking that the board of
railroad commissioners be hereafter
made elective, with such increased
powers, as shall make abuse of its
privilege by any railroad in this state
longer impossible. There are many
of our citizens who honestly question
the expediency of making these
commissioners elective, on the
ground that it's effect may be to
bring the railroads into our politics,
and that a board appointed by the
Governor is quite as likely to be
efficient, as il selected by a con-
vention. 1t was however in response
to popular demand that the resO-
luton referred to was passed, and it
is my duty to present this matter to
you for your consideration. Mean
time it is hoped that our present
railroad board may bc vested with
such increased power as was con-
templated by the resolution.
The prosperity Of our public insti-
tutions is something which our peo-
pie very much desire. Although so
| young as state, we point with pride
to the provision which has been
made for the education of our
children, and the care of our
unforunates. These institutions can
not be maintained without money,
and the people pay it willingly for
such purpose. Appropriations
amounting in the aggregate to con-
siderable sum, will perhaps be asked
for their support by those having
them in immediate charge. While
we ought to remember that, their
proper maintenance is imperative,
yet / conjure you that you carefully
examine all claims impartially, and
never forget that reckless use of the
peoples money is criminal.
An estimate of appropriations
required for the maintenance of the
Soldiers Home, and for such repairs
and Improvements as seem necessary,
is prepared by the board having this
institution in charge, and will be
presented to you for your con-
sideratiOn. 1t gives our people
pleasure to know that its conduct
thus far has been a marked success.
The big hearted man VINO has been
the cOmmandant since the establish
ment of the Home, has made it in
the highest sense what was con-
templatedin in the law creating it. To
him and to his noble wife the thanks
Of the people are freely given. 1t
is hoped their successor will be
equally worthy.
The provision Of homes for
old soldiers is in no sense regarded
as charity, but has been adopted
by the government. and sew
eral of the states, as the most
proper means to be employed for the
discharge of some part of the obi.
CATION which the people feel to the
men who have not only performed
the highest duty known to an
American citizen, but helped to save
the government in doing it. 1t is
believed you will make all necessary
appropriation for the maintenance OF
this institution.
1t is believed that our present bal
lot system is susceptible of improve
ment. Our experience has taught us
that whatever may be done to sim
plify the ballot, and make 1t plain tC
those least able to understand it.
ought to be. The free, untram
melled expression of the will of the
voter, is the object sought to be OBJ
tanned, and it is thought that this
may better be accomplished, by sc
arranging the ballot that the names
of the candidates for office of each
party represented, should appear ir
separate columns, with such othe,
changes from our present method, as
your experience and wisdom may
suggest.
Our constitution provides that "the
judges of the supreme court, circuit
chosen at the first election held
contitution, and thereafter as pro
provide for the election of such
officers on different day from that
on which an election is held for any
oClASl puh poSSs "lh IluJ LII pIS
purpose of making such provision
extend or abridge the term of office
for any such judges then holding, but
not in any case more than six months
The term of all judges of circuit
courts, elected in the several judicial
circuits, throughout the state, shall
expire on the same day." There has q
yet been no provision made by the
legislature for the election of any OF
these officers other than the Judges OF
county courts, and your attention is
respectfully called to this subject
The terms of the supreme and
circuit court judges now holding
will expire on the first day OF
January 1894. and it is important
that you make provision for the
election of their successors.
Section 9S of our present revenue
law provides that sit shall be the duty
of the treasurer, on and after the
first day of July in each Year, tC
Immediately proceed to collect all
delinquent personal taxes, and if such
taxes are not paid on demand, he
shall dlstrain sufficient goods and
chattelS belonging to the persons