Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1897-04-09
PIERRE, S. D., March 81, 1897.


The story sent out from Pierre some
days since to the Argus-Leader and other
papers relative to the recent issue OF
$75, 900 in revenue warrants is accurate,
but does not tell the complete history OF
the transaction between the Governor and
the state treasurer. 1t IS true the Gov
ernor made declaration in his inaugural
address against the issue of these war
rants as a general policy. 1t is also true
that he urged the Legislature in subse-
quent message to find some method OF
avoiding an issue of revenue warrants,
which he declared would be imperative
if no means were found to increase the
cash balance in the treasury. He was
then strongly opposed to the policy as a
public policy, but he has never declared
publicly or privately, that he would re-
fuse to sanction an issue if it were the
only available method to prevent the
discounting of state warrants. Treasur-
er Phillips left the capital Immediately
upon the adjournment of the legislature
without consulting the Governor regard
ing the condition of the state treasury or
seeking him for that purpose. The Gov
ernor did not even know that he had left
the city, but in the course of day or
two following his departure learned
through heresay that state warrants were
being registered by the deputy treasurer.
He Immediately made inquiry for the
Whereabouts of the treasurer and after
considerable telegraphic communications,
he ovcrhauled Mr.. Phillips at Sioux City,
and after some telegraphic correspond
ence an agreement was reached to- issue
S75, 900 in revenue warrants. due Jan.
|. 1898, and drawing six per cent interest.
1t is expected the issue will carry the
treasury through the year without any
additional warrants being authorized,
providing the saloon license approximates
the estimate made. Closely following
the flight of Phillips. State Auditor
Mayhew, who departed with him, pub
lshed partisan and vindictve article
in his Letcher Blade, charging the Gov
ernor with felony and alleging that
through the Governors action and as the
result of Populist misrule, the credit of
the state had been ruined. 1t was the
Governors quick action that saved the
state credit. If he had not pursued
Phillips, the latter would hav" allowed
SlOO. 900 in state obligations. held in New
York and due April l, to default. IT it
had been left to Phillips and Mayhem,
state warrants would now be hawked
around the state at a discount. This IS
what was evidently desired, by the Re-
publican emo Of the state house. 1t was
thought to be good piece of politics to
put the Governor in the hole and then
raise a hoarse cry that he had ruined the
credit of the state. but instead these
gentlemen simply put themselves in the
hole and their party on the defensive.
The veto of the coal bill for the hospi-
tai at Yankton seems to be bringing forth
fruit already. Private advices declare as
was intimated in these articles before,
that the asylum coal bin has been public
property in and about that city. 1t is
not stated who gets the benefit of coal
distributed among the farmers and in
the city of Yankton. but that may be
developed at later period. Speaking of
this matter in the last issue the Yankton
Herald says:
''There is one thing that might be said
in this connection as offering the Gov
ernor an opportunity for reducing to
some extent the cost of heating the
asylum. The coal is delivered upon the
sidetrack, something more than mile
distant from the buildings and probably