Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1898-11-01

Mr.. Roddle for secretary Of state. He
was opposed to him when the city
caucus was held to elect delegates to
the county convention. He was op-
posed to him when the county coDven-
tion met to elect delegates to the
Mitchell convention. He was opposed
to Mr.. Roddle after the delegation
reached Mitchell and he was still op.
posed to him until Mr.. Kittredge Wis.
tied Mr.. Roddle's headquarters at the
hotel the night before the convention.
Right here we wish to quote from the
White Chief of September 0, 1885,
1t may not be generally known but
it is fact that at the state conven-
tion recently held, the BrOOkings
changed the ticket had they so de-
sired. They had enough votes to have
elected Rice chairman, and had they
done this it Is very probable that the
entire personnel Of the ticket might
have been changed.
The Chief gives US the meat in the
cocoanut. "Brookings county dele
gates might have entirely changed
the ticket had they SO desired"
Again it says, "The entire personnel
Of the ticket might have been
changed And notice. The Chief, a
good republican newspaper, says ut
is fact" Now then, knowing that
Kirk Phillips was Kittredge's candi-
date for governor and at the same
time having a guilty knowledge of his
shortcomings and also those Of Mr..
Roddle, why did Mr.. Mathews, when
the matter was left for him to decide,
plant the delegation upon the side Of
the machine and those candidates
having shady record? Why did he
not take stand for clean politics and
upon the side Of the rank and file? 1t
was the opportunity Of Mr.. Mathews
lifetime. To have decided in favor of
the people would have placed crown
upon his head and endeared him in
the hearts Of the people as no other
act Of his has ever done. And, as a re-
turn, the rank and file of the republi-
can party, as well as the common
people Of all parties, would have idol
lied him. Nothing would haye been
too good for George A. Mathews.
Nothing would have stopped his on
ward progress until he had achieved
the height of his ambition, But he
took the al.step which allied him
with the machine and Mr.. Kittredge.
He assisted in the nomination of the
corporation ticket and then came
home and by an alliance with the
Roddle forces in the city of Brookings
was nominated for the state senate.
He is now before the people of this
county for their franchise by reason, ,as
the Press states, of his superior
qualifications" The REGISTER will
not say that these superior qualifica-
tions" in politics have lined the pock-
cts of Mr.. Mathews, but it will reit-
crate what is already matter of his
tory to the older residents and voters
of this county. The foundation Of
Mr.. Mathews fortune was laid while
in politics, as member Of the legisla-
ture, of the capital commission and
In congress. While accounted a good
attorney his money has not been
made out Of his profession, but by
reason of his professions. A man may
have ability, he may be we'll educated,
he may have splendid oratorical pow
ers, he may have great knowledge Of
public matters and understand the in
tricate workings of a legislative body,
he may possess the most superior
qualifications" and yet not serve the
people with the effectiveness of a man
who is down on common level with
the people--a man "who is one of
them" The REGISTER does not wish
to cast any aspersions upon Mr..
Mathews. 1t wishes to deal honestly
and candidly by him. But having be-
come candidate and having identi-
fed himself with the machine, we re-
serve the right to criticise his actions
and question his motives just as all
the citizens Of this county are now do
ing, and when the Sth day of Novem.
ber rolls around, the REGISTER will
rest satisfied with the verdict the
people will render.
The REGISTER calls attention to an
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