Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-01-10
State Mus, EconnrnixA.

Ihe present session of the State Iegisla-
ture Is destined to be the most famous in
the history of the state. In addition to the
selection OF a United States Senator there
are many other matters Of grave importance
TO occupy the attention OF the lawmakers
D the state.
Chief among these 10 the problem Of re-
uuclng the expenses Of the state, which are
now peartQy heavily on the taxpayers. 1t
is th9 opinion Of every business man IN
toe state that radical measures must be re-
Sorteu to IN the pairing Of appropriations for
some OF the state institutions.
Inc demand for this reduction does not
come nom any political party, but from
members OF all parties who have the true
Interests Of the state at heart. It will be
well nigh impossible to make the necessary
reduction and still maintain all the public
institutions with which the state Is now
buruened. The adjustment Of all unnec-
desary offices and sinecures, the curtail-
meDt of the expenses Of the state Offices,
Which seem to have increased during the
past few years, and even reduction in
salaries is urged in some quarters, together
with the management of the state institu-
tons, will, If done successfully, and with.
out extravaganza in other directions. tend
largely TO accomplish the desired result
But these things in themselves will not be
enough; something more is needed. The
State Penitentiary, Insane Asylum, Reform
School and Deaf Mute School are institu-
tons which the state must have. They not
only have to be maintained in their present
condition, but as the number of inmates in
each continue to increase improvements
must be made, and there will he corre-
spending increase In the current expenses
of these institutions. The last Legislature
made an appropriation and provided for
the establishment Of a binding ltwine fac
tory in the peniten,iary, which would have
given beneficial employment to the con-
victs and aided in supporting the institu-
ton, as well as giving the farmers OF the
state the benefit Of cheaper twine. But the
Board of Charities and Corrections have
done nothing to carry out this project.
The suggestion that the penitentiary
should he maintained by the counties ac-
oording to the number of cOnvicts each
sends to the penitentiary, is not considered
worthy Of serious consideration by the Leg
tsiature, as ii would make no difference to
the taxpayers. 1t would simply be taking
money out OF one pocket to put into an
other. The Insane Asylum Is maintained
in this manner, which saves the state some
expense. but II comes out of the taxpayers
inst the same, through the county tax, and
the fact that the state has shouldered this
expensive institution upon the counties
only emphasizes the urgent necessity for
economy in the administration Of the
states affairs. The expense of these insti-
tutions cannot materially be changed.
The only institutions, therefore, that can
be closed OF managed so as to provide
against the otherwise inevitable deficiency
are the five educational institutions, and
the feeling seems to be spreading through
the state that some of them should be
closed. at least temporarily. This is natur-
ally raising opposition from the towns
where they are located. Many favor the
closing Of all the state educational instit,i-
tions for the present except the Madison
Normal School and the Agricultural Col
lege at Brookings. The public schools are
necessity and must be maintained. 1t is
estimated that not over 10 per cent. OF the
young people of the state are able to secure
the luxury of a college education. The
main question. before the people of this
state is that of keeping the states ex-
penses within the states income.