Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-01-14

by the attorney general in prosecut-
Ing the treasurer and his bondsmeii
for the recovery of every dollar I'd the
state which X. g. Phillips may have
collected as interest or profits OH
state funds and converted TO his own
use"
1T is with pride that ] direct your at
tention to the initiative and referen-
dunn, which have been engrafted into
our constitution, and now demand de-
tailed provision at your hands for car
rying them into effect. South Dakota
has the enviable distinction of being
the first state in the union to adopt di.
rect legislation.
Must Pass Dispensary Law.
"The amendment 10 the constitution
providing for state eontrel of the
liquor traffic, submitted TO the voters
by the last Legislative assembly, was
ratified at the polls dt the recent cleo
ton, and IL therefore becomes your
duty to make provisions necessary for
carrying out its explicit intent by put
ting into operation a dispensary law,
devised upon an economical and just
basis. The people have spoken, and it
is your duty to give effective force TO
the popular will, regardless Of the pri-
vate opinions of those TO whom is com
mitted Legislative power.
"The fellow servant rule, embodied in
section 1888, compiled laws, is n radical
injustice TO railroad employees and SER
wants OF other industrial corporations
whose business requires more or less
hazard TO human life. 1t provides in
30 many terms that an employer is not
liable to the employe for injuries re-
ceiyed in consequence of the negli-
gence of co-employes engaged in the
same general business unless II en-
ployer has neglected TO use ordinary
care in the selection OF the culpablc
employe. 1t is true this statute sim
ply enncts the common law rule which
prevails I'm states having no statute
upon this subject. But the common
law was exceeding harsh in this as in
some other respects, and states have
found il necessary in the interests OF
advancing civilization and cnlighten-
inent 10 modify many of the common
law rules.
VI call your attention TO section 5loS,
code OF civil procedure, which provides
for the recovery of damages by the per-
sonal representatives or heirs OF n per-
son, whose death has been occasioncd
by the negligent act Of an employer.
This net specifically eXempts railroad
employees. 1t is negative Legislation,
which, in effect, gives the railroads the
specific privilege Of killing or mutt
lating their own employees while recog-
nizing the right of the general public
to recover for damages Of the same
character. 1t is n monstrous statute,
and should, in the interest OF common
decency, be superseded by an amend
ed section which will recognize the lie
and limb OF railroad employees ms equal
to citizens,
For Cheaper Text Books.
"The demand for cheaper textbooks
cannot and will not be stilled by any
thing less than u radical reform in tins
vital particular. 1t is useless TO con-
sumo timo in a repetition of the fact
that school textbooks are too high IN
price. We all know it. Every parent
knows il. Every person OF mature age
in South Dakota long ago learned that
the school book monopoly was wrlng-
ing unreasonable profits from our tax
payers, but for one cause or another
no positive relief has yet been secured.
Experience is a profound though cruel
teacher, and if the people have pald
dearly for school books, it is because
they have never yet made their crles
for relief so imperative as to
the obedience Of their representatives.
In n previous message 10 the lcgiSla-
ture, | called attention to THIS lntoier-
IA .n,m,,gta oil rs "A remedy ]
that the state engage in the pupllch-
ton of it's own textbooks. reasohN
urged in behalf Of that system are az
sound now as they were two years ago
/ renew the recommendation ana urge
that the state undertake the work Oh
preparing and printing its own text.
books to be furnished to pupils Tree Oh
charge. - t.,
In regard to educational institutions IN
general, the governor re,onliietT' 1oirht-
tenths of n mill. as a permanent lunu w
be equitably apportioned among lhe ilattt
tutions. This would divorce these lsSn-
tutions from politics, ana the DoaIu q ~
could the plan several years ahcau
in their work. The governor lhdorStS ~
concentrations for new buildings anu dmi,
provements at the Madison anu sp reroml
in regard to the SprIhSliclp
normal which has not been recognized as
n state institution. The school OF mines -
also approved. ona
taxation, Governor Lee presents a strohE
showing In favor of "A complete reform OF
the laws, He declares that 90 per 'eht, y,
the taxation burden In the state Is now
UPON land: that I'm a great portion OF ihc
state land Is now assessed lor an ~ ~
and as much as 1t would sen LOT,
I'm no case is II assessed at less than
its value: that bank STOCKS,
money, credits and all forms OF proilt-
bearing securities practically escape taA-
alton; live stock IL pretty gSnclnliy nHl
3essed all II will stand; merchandise ana
miscellaneous property, while not pear-
ng IT'S fair share OF the burdens, is as
sessed more nearly right.
Railroads Escape Taxation.
The most crying injustice, the governor
and the one which the. people are
rightly resenting, Is the continued prdc~
ice of allowing the railroad corporations
10 escape Just taxation. 'These lnstltu-
lions have grown so bold and audaclous
hat they appear to beneHe 'hG Srn,e Wyw~5S
OF the state board OF assessment
have made a conscientious EFFORT to IN
,rease railroad valuations. but, being UNI
,ided by any member OF the board except
he auditor, | found the task practically
ut is an outrage upon the state tina this
lass of property dictates now much
axes il will pay, and this outrage has
,een rendered no more bearable by the
'reuuent insolent declarations OF railroad
before the board that
heir companies would pay no more taxes
inless they were allowed TO virtually liz
heir own valuations
The governor declares that tho rail-
Dads do not make an honest return of
heir earnings and property to the state,
)ut tina for five years, practically ever
ince the agitation began for statutory
of railroads. the principal lines
lave reported less earnings every year.
lie quotes the figures furnished by the
chicago, Milwaukee and st. Pau To illus
rate this. The report for 1893 showed
on the company's lines in South
Dakota to be $6,444, 1881 The reports
how gradually decreased earnings each
ear until, for 1896. the amount was $i,551,-
OF. 60.
I'Is 20 nnssibIa - tho governor nsks "thot