Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1897-02-05
FROM THE REALMS >
OF LEGISLATION.
A WEEKS Do1Nas AT PIERRE.
A Weeks Happening Among Our
Law Makers as Seen BY
Our staff Correspondent.

The reports sent from Pierre by the
goldbug organs charging the Populists
; with extravaganza are false in every
particular The Argus Leader began a
campaign of fasehood and misrepresent-
alton just as soon as the session opened.
and the chief aim of that paper has been
to out-ie every other newspaper liar in
the state. The funny part of the pro-
gram is apparent when one reads the
Republican papers Of the state These
| R-pu blican editors seen to believe the
Argus-L Leader now and copy largely from
its columns and repeat the yarns made
up at Pierre, and thus become the will
ling dupes of Tomlinson and are thus
made the laughing stock of all political
parties at the capital.
The purpose of the Argus-Leader is to
deal in senatorial falsehood and its
Pierre correspondent is master IN this
line of work. He has lost the confidence
of all honest men, and is now engaged in
bush whacking contest with the cor
ruptionists for plunder.
The refusal OF the Democrats to 60
| into the Populist caucus to nominate a
senator was perhaps the main cause OF
Senate. Kyle's defeat at the beginning Of
the struggle, although there are Popu-
lists who would not have stood by Kyle
if the Democrats had joined his forces.
This dilemma confronted Mr. Kyle at
the opening Of the struggle. When the
| FopulIsts agree on candidate, or when
any Populist candidate shall receive AZ
votes IN the caucus, he will be considered
| the caucus nominee, and all the silver
man. This is where the struggle now
stands. Plowman and Goodykoontz are
getting the Loucks vote. and Goody-
koontz is principally conspicuous because
many OF the ablest followers of Mr.. Kyle
have left him and gone to the ABE Lin.
coln' of Mitchell.
The railroad bill has passed both SEN
ate and house unanimously, and thus
the great question of railroad legislation
is now an assured fact. This bill places
power in the hands of the railroad COM
missioners who have ample authority to
regulate rates and prevent discrimination.
The law will work no hardship on the
railroads because it is not the purpose OF
the law or the authority conferred to do
this. The law is considered a just one
in Iowa, and it ought to produce as good
results in this state.
Thus the main plank of the Populist
platform has been carried out and the
demands Of the people complied with.
There was no particular struggle over
the measure, because every Populist who
came to Pierre this winter was honestly
pledged to enact this law, and having a
majority in both branches, the bill passed
: with every Republican IN both houses
voting for the measure, after several
sharp efforts on their part to amend it.
The Republicans would have defeated
| the measure or rendered it non-effective
by amendments, but were defeated on
every point, and then on final passage
dare not 60 on record against it. This
is the first victory for the people over
machine politics and the first time the
Populist party has had chance to prove
to the people that their trust in the party
has been we'll founded.
Speaker Colvin is receiving compli-
ments from all sides for his fairness and
honest determination to be fair. He is
very prompt IN his rulings and rapid in
the discharge of business. Speaker COL
vim is the right man in the right place,
and his selection to fill this important
position was one of the wisest acts of the
session.
H. S. Mastick of Custer county. is one
Of the notable men of the house. He is
a square-toed Populist and man who
has seen much of the west grow from In
dian conditions to civilization. He IS
we'll informed and has pronounced opin-
ions on any question you may wish to
discuss. When he votes you can always
hear him and his strong, clear voice car
ries conviction with it. He owns a fine
ranch in Custer county, and has had
large experience in mining affairs.
Sam Denton of Britton, Marshall coun-
ty, is the Robert Burns" of the house.
He is an excellent story teller and can
quote Burns by the hour. He is an old
soldier and has record for staying quail
tiles either in love or war which any man
might be proud of. He helped to survey
lines for many of the pioneer railroads
through Iowa, and closed four.year
term as county treasurer Of Marshall
county Just before starting for Pierre.
Sam Denton is a safe man in any posi-
tion; able, conservative and diplomatic.