Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-16

Tho senate had a short session yester-
day, only drawing seats and adjourning
until today, when the governors mes
sage viii probably be read. Most of the
names have been selected on the senate
committees, but there may be changes
when the absentees arrive today. There
Is some friction among the leaders in
regard 10 the craftsmanship Of some OF
the committees. The chairmen of the
principal committees are understood to
be: Judiciary. KelIar: appropriations,
Hinciley; insurance, Goodwin; state
affairs. Kindschy; elections, Bouck.
The fifst message Of Governor Andrew
Lee was given 10 the legislature at noon
yesterday. The message is partly as
follows:
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of
Representatives: | have the honor and
the pleasure at this time to cOmmuni-
cate to YOU. the lawmakers Of the state
Of South Dakota, some reflections upon
matters which are Of deep interest 10
the people and some recommendations
regarding measures which will be
passed upon during the legislative SEES
sion 10Y fairly opened.
assume that YOU understand your
duty and that YOU will perform it. l do
not seek 10 instruct or dictate, but mere
~ TO state the things as l see them. As
for myself have been elected from the
ranks Of he plain people in their hope
and desire. as l believe, for a practical
business administration OF their affairs.
If | am to meet their expectations II
must be along these lines alone, for 7
bring TO the position no political train
IN ,p gynayi1Opa I'm g rpprltt shall
be compelled 10 depend upon the 10y
atty OF gentlemen who We're elected to
this legislature pledged to assist in
making possible the reforms which the
people thinl necessary to the improve
ment of their local government.
We are "A new and untried party with
no apologies to make. The eyes Of the
world are upon us. Let us so conduct
ourselves hat when our work is fin
ished we shall hen have no apologies to
make. The majority is charged with
the responsibility Of leading in the
measures which VIII be considered dur
ing the coming session. Our duty,
therefore, becomes a double duty. The
minority must be given credit for good
intentions, but If the majority fails to
do its work with fidelity. no excuse,
which will be accepted, can be given for
such failure. it is my belief that the
people OF all parties desire wholesome
laws which Will promote the common
benefit. 1t therefore be remem-
bered hat our election as the represent
atives Of a certain political party does
not release us from our responsibility to
the whole people.
Before the Sd of November we We're
candidates of a party. We are now the
chosen s%ervants of the entire electorate
of the state.
Economy in the management of the
affairs entrusted to our care will find
ready responEe III the hearts of the peo-
pie, who are now bearing heavy bur
dens, but good business prudence would
not employ economy to the detriment of
the service. Economy in hat case be-
comes waste. The straitened condition
of the people who pay our taxes require
that their money should be jealousy
guarded and sensibly expended. The
money Of he state should be handled
with the same wisdom and care which
any thrifty business man would employ
in the management of his own affairs,
and every dollar of the public money
should buy as much as the dollar Of a
private individual.
Economy requires a saving of time
as we'll as money, and the responsible
ity Of all those who have been selected
to carry out this policy does not END
with answering the roll call and draw
ing pay.
We have been placed here to do pusi-
ness, and that business should be more
rr.,,,tly npI foithfnllu attap1a1 70 ha-
cause it is the business of all the people.
l would therefore most emphatically,
though respectfully, recommend that
we proceed to active work at once in
order that important legislation may
not be left until the last two or three
days of the session thereby mourning
the risk OF i'll advised and immature
measures. / urgently advise that the
appropriation committee begin their
investigation at once. That they re-
port no later han the thirty-fifth day of
the session followed by the passage of
the bills at the earliest practicable mo-
ment, to the end that the appropriations
may not be held up till the last hours of
the session to be used as a club to kill
meritorious measures or aid vicious
ones.
We have no right to waste the peoples
time or draw public money for services
not rendered, and il by consciousness
and arduous labor we can shorten the
session and save expense to the state,
we can do nothing that will be more
thoroughly approved by our constitu-
ents.
In possession OF the legislative and ex-
ecutive departments we shall be held re-
sponsible for every needless or needless
act done and for every necessary act left
undone. The responsibility given us ar-
fords us the privilege and should impress
us with the duty Of proving to the world
that the ~populists and their allies in the
late struggles are not destroyers OF public
credit, not wreckers of states, not re-
pudiators, but, like the rank and file Of all
parties, are patriotic, honorable citizens,
seeking only for honest laws, objectinS
emphatically to special legislation by
which an even chance for all classes is
denied striving to maintain the states
credit and establish for 1t a good name,
pace its treasury upon a sound ~financ.al
basis and provide for it's future mainten-
ance without Unnecessary and expensive
temporary cXpedients or revolutionary as
saults upon the organic law of the COM
monwoaitb.
We cannot hope and 1 do not think we
will be expected to bring about a radical
change for the better in the general condi-
ton Of the people. for hat is left to the
larger field of national legislation.
Dur opponents have been entrusted with
the power in that fed of operations and
should be unimpeded In the use OF Ii.
Their theories will be on trial for the next
four years, and we are left to afford our
selves whatever measure of temporary re-
lief there may be In wholesome state legis.
lation, content to await a future oppor-
tunity to put our national policies In oper.
alton.
We are therefore On trial In the state.
We shall be permitted a continuance OF
power II we demonstrate our capacity &c
govern. II we show ourselves unfit WI
shall be hurleu from power at the next
election, and re ought to be. The fact thai
our opponents may have made mistakes in
the past Will not excuse mistakes on our
part. We should not be content to follow,
but should lead In all necessary reforma
which VIII promote the general welfare Of
eur people.