Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-01-18
Lee-Herreid MeSSageS.
xxx x* Yf# =
Recommends a Refund.

Recommends II Refund.
The retiring executive takes up the
return of the First regiment from The
fhilippnes and recommends an approp.i-
alton OF $2S.662.o5 for the purpose OF re-
funding TO the counties the amounts ad-
Sahced by them to bring the soldier bows
TO their native state.
State Schools.
He says that appropriations should be
iiperal Tor the schools of the state, as fail
ure to appreciate the demands of ou,
young men and young women for inn
proved educational facilities may result il,
loSiiis Their patronage and eventually III
the loss OF tllelr citizenship.
The practice by the board of regents
OF holding long distance meetings, by pass
ing motl0ns through the mails to one
another cannot be too severely condemned.
~ is fraud upon the public service. Of
ilcials who find their work unremunerative
or Incompatible may always find refuge in
private lie. Another practice when de-
serves the severest condemnation is that
Oh assigning to each member of the board
one school over which he has absolute con-
trol. The recommendation made by each
member in regard to the school which lie
mas charge are almost invariably accepted
as ilnal, whether they are for the best in
terests OF the institution is not given SER
lous consideration. This practice should
pe prohibited and no business be transact
ea without majority of the board being
present. The fayoritism practiced by one
member of the board, who uses his posi-
tlon to give employment to his relatives,
likewise deserves a reprimand. 1t is not
a question whether the relatives are com :
petent. Nepotism has always brought
abuse, and is justly unpopular in any
pranch OF any government.
Judicial Election.
Experience has proved that South Da-
kota can save $4,000 every odd year by
amending the constitution SO that the
judges OF the supreme and circuit courts
may be elected at general elections. The
makers of the constitution conceived an
ideal non partisan bench, unlntluenced by
partisan considerations, but lime has
shown us the fallacy OF that conception.
The courts are in politics to u dangerous
degree and are influenced us much by
partisan considerations as any other
branch of.the government service. hope
that the legislature will submit an
amendment to the constitution making
judicial officers elective at general eec-
tions and providing tor the election of one
Judge vi the supreme court every two
years.
State Insurance.
am satisfied that our only refuge from
the eXtorton and difficulties of the present
insurance system is the adoption OF state
Insurance, and l renew my recommends
ton OF two years ago to that effect. Dur
ing the last ten years foreign fire, and life
insurance companies have written risks in
South Dakota aggregating S2S7, $50, ,SlO.O4,
for which they have charged premiums
amounting to $9,Ol4.947.59. They have
paid back i'm losses S3, 759. .263Sl. or about
81 for every $3.50 received in premiums.
Allowing them so per cent. for expenses
they have made about 100 per cent. profit
This has been a tax of at least Sl2 per cap
ita on the people of the state in support of
Il business purely predatory in character.
Soldiers Home.
The soldiers home of South Dakota is
admitted by those who have made care
full Investigation of such institutions to
be the best conducted of any of its kind
in the United States. 1t is claimed to he
the only home where the evil of intemper-
ance does not exist to excess. The COM
mandant has been severely crititised for
his strict discipline against liquor, but lie
enjoys the distinction of having the only
sober home in the United States. I be-
lleve that there are not five men in the en-
tire home who would wish to have it con-
Quoted as it was under the former manage
ment. The food is plentiful and well
cooked. Cleanliness is Il striking feature
through the entire institution.
Other Recommendations.
The corporation laws of the state need
amending. They are entirely too enient.
| believe our corporation laws should be
So amended as to stop companies from in
cooperating for more than their actual
cash capital, or else a progressive tax on
capitalization should be levied which
would bar fraudulent capitalization Gil
tirely. Suitable provision should be made
for continuing the prosecution of the Chi
cago, Milwaukee Il st. Paul freight rate
case. y law prohibiting the sale of oleo-
margarine is advised and also more string
ent pure food measures. The wolf bounty
law has cost the state about $4,000 in two
years and ITS prompt repeal is recon-
mended. The correction oil errors in the
liquor laws is suggested. A law is asked
to compel officers OF state institutions to
furnish bonds for the safe recovery into
the state treasury of all revenues collected
by them.