Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-29
Cant. Lucas Talks.

Capt. w. V. Lucas, commandant of
the soldiers home at Hot Springs, in
recent interview with a Star reporter
upon the violent attitude taken by
Senator Pettigrew in state politics,
makes the following points
The Wholesale charges made against
the legislature that elected him 10 the
senate, surprises me. The logic of the
situation is, if the railroads owned the
legislature they certainly would have
elected senator satisfactory to them
selves.
Il believe his object is to be recog-
nized as the leader in the party in the
state, the Quay or Platt, of South Dakota.
understand there is bitter loca. con
test between him, on the one side, and
we'll known gentlemen on the other, in
Minnehaha county, for the supremacy.
Ii he fails to be victorious be will then
appeal to the republicans of the state
for vindication. because he has de-
clared that he 10 the champion of the
interests OF the people, especially the
farmers Therefore / conclude that the
senator has resorted to strategy to gain
what he may lose by a clean cut and
u
we'll known he desires to 60 as a dele
gate to st Louis, and he will leave no
stone unturned to be elected. He
abandoned his fight on the Union Paci
tic railroad before ii was full blown, and
hurriedly came home to take charge Of
the Minnehaha campaign, 50 the news
papers say.
The newspapers have reported many
int nrx,,A aff i'm, in oh h.
pronouncedly for Senator Davis. Be-
sides, he told me last June in the Evans
hotel that he favored MIR. Davis, and ii
he shall go into the convention as
delegate would expect him to vote for
Senator Davis.
"In the elections of 1894 We had
united and vigorous campaign. We
were all for the reelection of Senator
Pettigrew, and swept the legislature by
large majority. But when you look ut
the numerous close results, you will sss
that in rs counties, or about that nunl-
bef, change OF 50 votes in the highest
would have defeated the republican,
and in many OF them change of 5 or
10, or 20 votes would have done So"
| Capt Lucas was asked: "Do you re-
gard Senator Psttigrew as entitled TO
lead the republican part. Of this state,
and do you regard him as a sound re
publican?"
mo, do not. The party has honorsd
him repeatedly. know OF no particu.
lar qualification that fits him in su-
perior way for leader. His methods
are those of the old territorial days. We
are state now, and struggling TO attais
rank and place In the line Of states. Ii
is high time We relegate to the rear the
old territorial methods of combinations,
states and schemes, and step upon higher
ground, where mans word and pledge
shall be regarded a. sacred in politics as
it 10 in business Issuing of pompous
manifestos in time Of profound quiet
and peace is not for the good of the
party or the people. As to the second
part OF your question, have not the
highest admiration for a senator's re.
publicanism who voted against the Nc
Kinley bill and supported Clevela nd's
Hawaiian policy. II 10 not the sort of
republican school l was taught in"
do yOu believe IL will conserve the
best interests Of the republican party of
the state to elect Senator Pettigrew q
delegate to st. Louis?'
"No' do not. I say this because
recall the action of four years ago at
Minneapolis. The state convention BY
q vote OF two TO one expressed prefer
ence for Harrison. In the face OF this
fact Senator Psttigrew did not hesitate
to advise and counsel disregard of the
expressed wishes Of the party OF the