Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-01-14
The INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Governor Sheldon Makes His Bow
to the Legislature.
A Liberal Policy Advocated Toward the
Worlds Fair and tho Soldiers Homs
mot an Enemy OF Railroads,
but They Must Not Rule.

we meet under such favorable auspices.
The condition of our affairs throughout
the state Is not only highly gratifying,
but we feel justified in the hope that we
have measurably passed that period of
adversely which has bsen SO generally
the experience of the people of newly set
tied states.
Our settlement has not only been phe-
nomenal, but we have come almost in a
day to take our place as one Of the great
grain producers in the sisterhood of states.
Our stock and mining interests are
rapidly assuming vast proportions. and
we gladly believe that the time is not far
distant when South Dakota will occupy
an enviable position for It's productions,
the virtue of its laws, and the character
Of Its people.
Much of prosp sperity is often credited,
and of adversely 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 that the trust and conf
dence they have reposed In you may be
realized. They understand full well that
II Is not in the multitude OF laws
that their interests are best subserved
but they are expecting that your enact
ments shall be such as tend TO their pros
perity and that these laws, when made,
shall be faithfully administered. 1t Is oar
duty to see that so far AS lies in our power
to prevent, they are not disappointed.
Among the subjects II which your atten-
tion is respectfully invited, is the making
of what IN your wisdom ycu may deem Il
suita BILE appropriation for an exhibit of
the resources of the state at the Colum-
bian exposition at Chicago during the
present year, and to provide by law for its
expenditure.
A mum ber of our patriotic citizens or
ganizing themselves into commission,
have raised from among our people con
siderable sum OF money and have eX-
pended the same in erecting at Chicago
what they have deemed u 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 already ex-
pended, and assume state control of their
enterprise, making provision for the APP
pointment of such number of our people
Tor Its management as in your Judgment
you may deem necessary.
A large amount of land granted
Us by the government for state
and educational purposes still remains
unsolicited for want of means to dcfray
the expense of its selection and certitica-
ton. Wisdom would seem TO indicate
that these lands should be secured as
speedily as possible before all our most
our homestead law An appropriation
for this purpose will be asked by the state
and !. Is believed q 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 land in the Sisse-
ton military reservation with the fort
buildings to be used by us for
military purposes. The act mentioned
declares that whenever 1t shall be used
otherwise than as provided, or shall cease
to be SO used 1t shall revert to the gov
ernment The wisdom of accepting IL
under these conditions is questionable.
The expense which the state must incur
In providing conServator for the prop
erty and the keeping of the buildings in
repair will greatly increase the cost of
the maintenance of our militia. While
ut the same time we would be compelled to
hold our annual muster at IA point remote
from railroads, demanding expensive
transport to and from the ground.
l would respectfully 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,
II in their power, such change in the act
as shall make ii possible for MS to take
the property, not a donation for spe-
cihc purposes, but as indemnity land.
The revision of our oil inspection law is
thought to b. worthy Of your careful con
sideration. The safety OF our people and
the preservation Of their property would
seem to demand that careful inspection
shull be had, not only of Illuminating oil,
but also of gasoline used within the state.
1t is believed that this may be
accomplished by amendment Of our
present law, increasing both the duties
and the compensation of the inspector,
giving greater satisfaction and security
to our people without any increase of
their burden.
boilers used in threshing, causing great
loss of life, isan urgent appeal that some
thing be done to insure greater safety in
their use, and earnestly urge upon you,
Il IL shall be i'll your power, the enact
ment of a law to provide for the inspec-
tion of steam boilers, and the careful ex-
animation as to their competency OF per-
sons who may be employed as engineers.
There Is much complaint among
our people of discriminating freight rates
as charged by some OF the railroads doing
business in this state. l am not one of
those who believe in indiscriminate war
unon railroads. | have tried to fully
recognize the fact that without them the
greater part of our state would be unin-
habitable, except as grazing country ;
that in many instances they have been the
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 IN ming regions In
the Black Hills; yet we know that
without the people the roads would
be valueless and they should not be per-
mitted to become our masters.
The republican state convention, held at
Madison, passed unanimously resolu-
tion asking that the board of railroad
commissioners hereafter be made elect
i've, with such increased power as shall
make abuse OF its privilege by any rail
road In the 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 rail
roads into our politics, and that a board
appointed by the governor is quite Us
likely to be efficient, avs ii Sc
was. was. however, in ' response to a
popular demand that the resolution re-
ferred to was passed, and 1t is my duty to
present this matter to you for your con-
sideration. Meantime IL is hoped that our.
present railroad board may be invested
with such increased power as was con-
templated by the resolution.
The prosperity Of our public institu-
tions Is something which our people very
much desire. Although so young rs u
state, we point with pride to the pr0vis-
ion which has been made for the cduca-
ton of our children, and the care of our
urfcrturates These institutions cannot
be maintained without money,
and the people pay willingly
amounting IN the aggregate to consider
able sum, will perhaps be asked for their
support by those having their immediate
charge. While we ought to remember
that their proper maiIt ,nance Is mp ra-
tive, yet conjure you that you carefully
examine all claims impartially, and never
forget that o reckless use of the people s
money Is criminal.
An estimate of the appropriation required
for the maintenance OF the soldiers home,
and for such repairs and improvements as
seem necessary, Is prepared by the board
having the institution In charge,
and will bc presented to you
for your consideration. II gives our peo
pie pleasure to know that the conduct
thereof has been u marked success. The
big hearted man who has been the COM
mandapt since the establishment of the
homo, has made IL In the highest sense
what was contemplated In the Law Great
ing it, To him and his noble wife the
thanks of the people are freely given. II
IL hoped thSlr 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
several of the states as the most
proper nleans to be employed
~ n II n