Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1898-11-04
THE INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT.

A feature Of the political campaign
encouraging to all honest voters is the
strength and increasing importance OF
the independent movement within the
republican party for the overthrow Of
the self appointed political bosses who
are leading the party to destruction.
There has never been greater cause
for such an independent movement in
this or any other state. The republican
party In South Dakota has fallen into
disrepute. 1t has been put in position
believed by many sincere republicans
to be wholly wrong. The party organi-
cation has been captured within the
past three years by a clique Of well
known lobbyists and attorneys for the
corporations and trusts who have die
tated nominations and directed party
policy In the legislature and In state
Offices and who are using the party a.
the tool Of the corporations and not a.
the servant Of the people. These self
appointed rulers of the party are not In
sympathy with the rank and file of the
party. Hundreds Of republicans in the
state sought to wrest the control of the
party from them at the state conven-
tion but they failed, and now they are
convinced that the republican party
cannot fulfill its mission until the
bosses are driven from the place Of
power and that the only way to do this
is to boldly strike them down.
The extent OF this independent move
ment surprises great many persons. It
is particularly noticeable in the counties
of Codington. Hughes, Roberts, Grant,
Douglas, Sanborn, Potter, Bon Homme,
Union, Lake, Hyde, Day, Faulk and
Sully. w. s. Glass of Watertown has
accepted an independent nomination
for the legislature; S. M. Howard. Of
Gettysburg, has been nominated for
states attorney; John Sutherland. of
Pierre, has been nominated for the sem
ate; w. e. Upton Of Armour, has been
nominated for county Judge, and so on
cans, all Of whom will be supported by
the fusion forces In opposition to cor
poration nominees. In Roberts county
the Independent republicans have put
up complete ticket which they will
support. In Grant county, in Douglas
county and in Potter county, there has
been complete and harmonious union
between the Independent republicans
and the other reform forces. In the
legislative district of Hyde, Sully and
Hughes counties the Independent re-
publicans are working side by side with
democrats, populists and free silver re-
publicans, to defeat the machine candi.
dates for the senate and house. Here
In Minnehaha county there are scores
Of lifelong republicans who openly de-
clare they will not support the machins
ticket. 1t la the same way all over the
state. The movement is not confined to
any section or to any group Of counties.
but there are hundreds of republicans
who are only waiting for a more fav-
orable time to declare themselves
Some Of the best campaigners of the re-
publican party are in the movement,
It's leaders are men VINO have been with
the party Tor years. they are working
in the interest of their party and of the
state and they will not be turned aside
by ridicule. scoffing or cajolery.
The avowed purpose Of these inde-
pendents is not to destroy the republic
can party but to save 1t from its worst
enemies. II they stand together for the
right and make a courageous battle
against bossism in their party they will
win. They will be in position to eff
feet complete change In the personnel
of the party leadership and to abolish
the discrepancy between party profes.
sions and the conduct of officials. But
that is something for future considers
tion-the first and most important
thing is to rid the party Of the bosses
and the machine before they have
ga'red a foothold impossible to loossA.
-SiOuY Falls preSA