Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1900-08-10

RepuDl1c6n0 ana Ie.e
party In 1894. In /
the Republican party
cause Of free silver G
ed the candidacy OF
That is the question which the peo-
Pile of this state are thinking most
sbout at this time and the election OF q
successor to Senator Pettigrew is the
most important business that will come
before the legislature next winter.
The people of the state will consider
this most important question from two
The one is that Of parti-
and the other is from the stand
point Of what will be to the best inter
est of the state. Its upbuilding, devel-
opment and advancement in every
department of substantial progress. 4
People viewing the subject from the
standpoint of partisanship will only
consider party advantage and it would
be useless waste Of time and space
in a magazine article to discuss the
partisanship phase Of the question FUR
ther than to show that partisanship
should have very little influence on the
citizens of the state in the election OF
q senator next winter. Partisans, az
q rule, vote their party ticket regard
less Of who is the candidate. Merit is
considered only by the loyal and inde-
pendent citizens who can rise above
psrtisanship and look at the true inter
est of the state.
South Dakota is still on the firing
line Of the pioneer. She has many bat
ties to fight before her successful devel-
opment is assured. She has met and
overcome the greatest obstacle in hez
march to her present admirable post
tion and in order to Judge what is best
for the future IL will be we'll to review
the past. It is always dangerous to
change commanders in the midst OF
battle. and as the Immortal Lincolu
puts It, ''it is not wise to change horses
in the midst of stream.
At the head and front Of the develop
ment of South Dakota almost aimee it
was created territory BY congress-.
Senator Pettigrew has stood. In fact
he has stood out all the time as the
strong, energetic and fearless leader.
Every great achievement in develop
ment in the state has the impress OF
this man and before relieving him OF
responsibility and leadership the true
South Dakotan will carefully consider
what he has done. The manner In
which he has done it and the ability he
possesses 70 successfully accomplish the
great work yet TO be done.
To aid my fellow citizens In review
Ing the work Of this man, will call
their attention to some Of the work he
has done for them while occupying his
seat in the United States SENATE.
In the land Legislature Of 1891 BY
which the timber culture and pre-emp-
tion laws were repealed. he inserted .
that land patents should be
issued to innocent purchasers OF proved
up claims no matter what irregularities
the entry man had committed Or what
technicalities he had violated. This
prevented cancellation Of entries In
such cases and settled titles to vast
OF land in our state. Under
this legislation any more annoyances
like those perpetrated by Sparks would
be impossible.
He secured the passage Of law per-
mitting South Dakota TO select 1000
acres of Sisseton Reservation lands
worth $500, 900. This act also donated
to the state the agency buildings and q
section of land for the use Of the state
militia.
He put through congress q bill per-
the state to select the Fort
Randall military reservation. but
through the neglect of state officers
such selection was not made.
The fish hatchery in operation at
Spearfish Was located there through
his legislation.
Also the assay office At DeadwoOd.
He secured appropriations with
which permanent buildings hospi-
tai and barracks-were erected at
Fort Meade thus insuring the perma,
nency of the post.
He aided in the passage of legislation
by which the Indian schools were To-
Gated and constructed AT Chamberlain
and Rapid City.
The Flsudreau Indian school, one oi
the largest and best in the country,