Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-07
WIPING OUT THE STATE DEBT
Financial Affairs o. Sou h Dakota Are in
M Good Shape.
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR is READ
Document Deals e.; length with ublt
Institutions and Conditions and
81 Regarded as an Able
State Paper.

PIERRE, S. D., Jan. 6.-(Special.)-Im-
mediately after the organization Of the leg
isiature here today the message of the gov
erncr was presented.
The document is considered a very able
one and dealt in an exhaustive manner
with the affairs of the state.
It is in psrr as follows:
Gentlemen of the ~anatc ana House of
Representatives: Since the meeting OF the
last legislature the people have mourned
citizens: United States Senator James RI;
Kyle died July /, 1871; Attorney General
John l.. Pyle, February q, 1872, and Circuit
Judge Frank J. Washabaugh, May 70, 1872.
The extraordinary and extremely difficult
task of filling the vacancies thus created
in these important positions was thrown
upon the executive OF the state. 1t is a
source of comfort that the appointments
made have given entire satisfaction.
These men were honored officials Of the
state at the time OF their death and their
memory will be lastingly cherished by all
To the people of South Dakota the first
two years OF the new century have been
a period of contentment and happiness.
II has been a period of wonderful growth
and unrivaled prosperity. All Industrial
and commercial energies have fourished
Intellectual and moral forces of the state
have been active in the cause OF enlighten-
ment and righteousness.
Two years ago, in obedience to the will
of the people, nearly all official positions
and some OF the state institutions required
appointments in harmony with the new
administration and subsequent develop
ments in three of the institutions revealed
conditions which not only justified, but
impeTatively demanded a change.
Never before had the executive of the
state Deen confronted with so many
vacancies Impressed with the belef th9t
aged according to rules Of business recog-
nized by managers of great and successful
industrial corporations, my first efforts to
apply these convictions came in the selec-
ton of men 20 fill the various positions in
the service of the state. l soon found that
easily put into practice. Whenever / be-
ieved hat the public service could be
m foa ap 3sdisr nSy and eWen the reeoms
mendations of my best friends I'm order to
carry out my convictions of duty.
DimcuIt 10 FIJI Omces.
Generally speaking. the offices nave been
seeking the men. Sometimes II required
good citizens TO assume official burdens
reward.
/ have constantly endeavored to enforce
the doctrine that the offices were not
| created for the benefit Of any individual
or class OF individuals: that with each
position there are certain peculiar duties
and responsibilities; that whenever any
Official fails to measure up 10 the require
Willingly. Il possible but. II not. then
expeditiously by order of the appointive
power The act OF the legislature or 1901
giving the governor power to unceremoni-
ously remoye officials Is a most important
step toward good government. In the per-
Torrance Of his duties the executive is
constantly hampered by a mass of ~restric-
lions and limitations OF power that should
be swept away A distribution OF respOn-
Eibility Is oemoralizing and not productive
Of the best results TO the people. With
greater freedom OF action. more power,
would come greater personal a~ccounta-
bility. An enlightened and active public
sentiment under such conditions would be
productive OF the highest degree Oi
ehiciency In every department of the public
, service. Let the public Official who betrays
a public trust repent, and be forgiven in
the next world. but in this ~world-neVeTi
The states finances are shown I'm detail
by the report Of the treasurer for the hsca
year ending June 30, 1902.
of the State.
The bonded Indebtedness has been re
duced n8,OOO during the last year. OF tn.
bonds redeemed only $500 were matured
OF the remaining bonds redeemed 1880
had eight years to run and Sl5,000 ten year
before maturity. BY the payment OF thes
bonds at this time the state saved A3.O)
in interest. During the past Eve year
the bonded Indebtedness has been reduce.
$40. 100. accomplished by an almost i'm
perceptible annual tax levy and resulting
In reducing the annual Interest chaTg