Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-01-10

those that are appropriate and reces
sary should be held to be a mark CT
identification. Such a rigid rule mIy
occasionally result in throwing out an
honest ballot, but there is no safe mid
die ground TO occupy.
Their are no laws of greater import
anCe b those passed to preserve the
purity Of elections and guard again t
the abuses OF the elective franchise
The name of each candidate should
appear only once upon each ballot.
Experience has demonstrated that a
ballot law which permits the name of
a candidate to appear upon the ballot
more than once for the same office,
leads to confusion and fraud. Other
states have found it necessary to pro-
vide that the name of no candidate
shall appear upon the ballot in more
than n place for the same office,
whether nominated by convention.
caucus or petition. Provision should
be made that wherever two or more
conventions nominate the same candi-
date for any office, the name Of such
candidate shall be printed under the
nam of the party first filing nomina-
ton papers bearing such name, unless
the candidate himself. within a given
time shall request the officer with
whom the nomination papers are filed,
to cause the name to be printed upon
some other ticket.
No valid objection can be urged
against such a law. A candidate has
the right to have his name appear once
upon the official ballot, and every vot-
er should have a reasonable opportun-
ity to vote for him. He has no occas-
ion to find fault 81 long as he is per-
mitted to AVE his name upon the bal
lots, n in the party column of his
own choice. Every voter is given an
opportunity to vote for him-the cleo
tor who votes the party ticket on which
such name appears by making one
cross, and the elector who votes an
other party ticket can do so by simply
making two crosses. one at the top Of
his party ticket, and one opposite the
OF his candidates in another COL
umn. Amy voter can In a few seconds
prepare his ballot. To claim that this
will interfere with the full, free and
intelligent exercise of the right Of suf-
frage Is not only absurd, but a serious
reflection upon the intelligence of the
voters OF South Dakota.
EDUCATION.
In a republic, where every citizen
is a sovereign, ignorance is a crime
against society. 1t is one of your most
duties to sustain our excell-
ent educational system, so admirably
designed to develop the highest and
best type of American citizenship.
The constitution provides that, 1.-THE
State University, the Agricultural col
lege, the normal schools and all other
educational institutions that may be
either wholly or in part by
the state shall be under the control of
a board of five members appointed by
the governor and confirmed by the SEN
ate under such rules and restrictions
as the legislature shall provide. The
may increase the number
of members to nine"
Chapter So, laws of 1897, provides for
the appointment, and defines the pow
ers and duties of regents of education:
The governor, by and with the con-
sent of the senate, shall appoint five
persons of probity and wisdom from
among the best and the best known
citizens, residents of different portions
of the state, none Of whom shall reside
in the counties in which any of the
state educational institutions are To-
Gated, who shall constitute a board to
be designated the regents of education;
provided that in all appointments to
the regency of education the persons
selected shall be of the different polit-
zeal parties existing at the time much
appointments are made"
/ believe that these restrictions up
on the selection of members Of this
board should be removed. Among the
citizens of the counties having educa-
tioral institutions, 1t is self-evident
that the executive might find men
prominently qualified to perform the
responsible duties of a regent Of educa-
ton. The provision that, "The persons
selected shall be of the different polit-
ical parties" was doubtless intended
for the purpose Of making the board
non-partisan. 1t is believed that in
stead of keeping politics out Of said
rc~~' - 'i~.'~ct tendency to in,
iect politics. by suggesting a represen'
tative political capacity of the mem
bers thus selected. The governor, who
is responsible to the people of thu
state for the highest efficiency OF thu
management of state institution
Ehculd he absolutely free to select eth
best and the best known citizens
without any reference whatever Z
their political Affiliations. The mem
bers would than feel that they were Sc
Iected, not because they happened I
belong to a particular party, but sole
~ on account of their qualification
a~' &c citizens.
The number should be increased fro'
five to seven. II should be made tn
duty of the board to select a secretar!
who Is not a member Of the board
regents. who should be given a reason
able salary and required to devote a
bis time to the interests OF the educs
tional institutions OF the state.
The surerintendent Of public instruc
tion should be ex-oficiste a member {
the board of regents. This would re
ouire an amendment TO the constitu
ton.