The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-10-21
INFAMOUS ASSAULT ON ONPKINS.

There is not a respectable republican in Pennington coun-
ty or the Black Hills but what has good reason to blush with
shame at the tactics employed by the corporation machine in
behalf of the republican state ticket. The latest and most
contemplate move yet made is the trunnped-u up charge origin
ating in the headquarters of the republican state central COM
mittee, published by the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader and re-
peated by little republican character-assassins throughout the
state to the effect that while treasurer of Pennington county
w. H. Tonpkins was a defaulter! The English language is
wholly inadequate when an attempt is made to find terms
to properly condemn this damnable falsty. Now as to the
facts which form the basis for this charge:
This lie finds it's origin in the failure of the Black Hills
National Bank of this city, brought on by a financial policy
conceived in iniquity, brought forth in sin and fathered by the
republican party. A few days prior to that failure, as county
treasurer Mr.. Tompkins collected the sum of S1ls.4 on lease
OF school lands. This sum was sent the state treasurer in the
shape of a check on a Rapid City bank, but that fastidious
republican thief, Walt Taylor, whom the disciples of irrational
honor elected state treasurer, returned the check with a re-
quest that the Remittance be made by draft and oblige him.
Mr.. Tompkins did as requested, purchasing a draft for the
amount on the Black Hills National Bank of this CITY. A few
days later the bank failed and payment of the draft was re-
fused. AS to who is responsible for the S118. 40 is a point to
be decided by the state supreme court, but this is the sum,
N~O"~AN~ uN Ao"NAothOA vi Ills INFAMOUS OeIdulCer CHARGE
trumped up by the unprincip1ed corp%q stion cappers who are
managing the republican campaign ID his state.
When the Black Hills Nationals 5aank failed in this city
W. H. Tompkins was treasurer of Pennington county and had
something over $4,000 in county funds deposited the institu-
ton. This sum was never recovered from the assets of the
bank. What was the result? Did this county collect this
sum from Mr.. Tompkins' bondsmen? No. Was this county
put to the expense of an action at law to recover the money?
No. Said William H. Tompkins to the people who had chos-
en- him tor, county treasurer, This misfortune has occurred
shall not be the loss; I will pay from my own pocket every
penny of this sum" He has kept his word and the taxpayers
OF this, his home county, are grateful for this proof of his
honesty and integrity-an example which might we'll be fol-
lowed by his cowardly traducers! Notwithstanding financial
]reverses which came to him just prior to his election as county
treasurer, ". H. Tompkins has used every available dollar he
has had from that day to this to repair a misfortune which
would have come to any maj under the same circumstances.
And this is the man which the republican managers, backed by
the Journalistic assassins of their party, brand as a defaulter!
against an honest man! Well might republicans here who for
years have known VIII Tompkins as a competent business
man, an honest official and a good citizen blush with shameas
they view the disreputable tactics adopted by their party lead
ers in South Dakota!
No republican paper in Mr.. Tompkins' home county has
dared repeat the infamous cl1arge-aud why? Simply be-
cause the people here know the facts for themselves and a rep
etition of the contemplate charge would only add to his ma
iority at the hands of those who know him best.