The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-01-14
GOV. LEES MESSAGE

L nave inc ncuOT anu TIC plcdSuIe dt
this time to communicate to you, the
lawmakers Of the state of South Da>
kota, some reflections upon matters
which are of deep interest to the peo-
pie and some recommendations regard
ing measures which will be passed
upon during the legislative session now
fairly opened.
I assume that you understand your
duty and that you will perform It. l
do not seek to instruct or dictate, but
merely to state things as I see them.
AS Nr myself I have been elected from
the ranks Of the plain people in their
hope and desire, as l believe, fer a prac-
tical business administration Of their
affairs.
| If I am to meet their expectations it
must be along these lines alone, for I
bring to the position no political train
Ing or experience in state craft. shall
be compelled to depend upon the 10y
atty of gentelment who were elected to
this legislature pledged to assist in
making possible the reforms which the
people think 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 that when our work is fin
ished we shall then have no apologies
to make. The majority is charged
with the responsibility of leading in
the measures which will be considered
during the coming session. Our dut,
therefore. becomes a double duty. r.
minority must be given credit for GOO.
intentions, but if the majority fails to
do its work with fidelity, no excuse,
which will be accepted, can be given
for such failure. 1t is my belief that
the people Of all parties desire whole
some laws which will promote the
common benefit. 1t must therefore be
remembered that our election as the
representatives OF a certain political
party does not release us from our re-
sponsibility to the whole people.
Before the third of November we
were candidates of a party. We are
now the chosen servants OF the entire
electorate of the tsate.
Economy in the management Of the
affairs entrusted to our care will find
ready response in the hearts of the peo-
pie, who are now bearing heavy bur-
Gens, but good business prudence would
moi employ economy TO the detriment
OF the service. Economy in that case
becomes waste. The straitened condi-
ton of the people who pay our taxes
requires that their money should be
jealousy guarded and sensibly expend-
ed. The money Of the 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 well as money, and the responsible
ity Of all those who have been selected
to carry out this policy does not end
with answering roll call and drawing
pay.
We have been placed here to do bust
ness, and that business should be more
promptly and faithfully attended to be-
cause it is the business OF all the peo-
Pile. l would therefore most emphati-
cally, though respectfully, recommend
that we proceed to active work at once
in order that important legislation may
not be left till the last two or three
days Of the session thereby mourning
the risk Of i'll advised and immature
measures. 1 urgently advise that the
appropriation committee begin their in
x-nctinntinno nj nnan Thnt Ln,, 49,
not later than the thirty-ffth day Of
the session followed by the passage of
the bills at the earliest practicable mo-
ment, to the end that the appropria-
tons may not be held up till the last
hours Of the session t 0 be used as a
club to kill meritorious measures or aid
vicious ones.
We have no right to waste the peo-
pies time OF draw public money for
services not rendered, and IL by con-
scientious 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
u constituents.
In possession OF the legislative and
executive departments we shall be held
responsible for every needless or heed
less act done and for every necessary
act left undone. The responsibility
given us affords us the privilege and
should impress us the duty of proving
to the world that the Populists and
their allies in the late struggle are not
destroyers Of public credit, not wreck
ers Of states, not regulators, but, like
the rank and file of all parties, are pa
triotic, honorable citizens, seeking only
for honest laws. Directing emphatically
to special legislation by which an even
chance for all classes is denied. striv-
ing to maintain the states credit and