The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-03-10
LAWSON GIVES HIS VIEWS.

A short time ago E litor Bruce,
of the Elk Point Courier, invited
the senator and three representa-
tives from Union county to express
then views OH capital removal in
the columns Of the Courier. The
following is the article by Repre-
sentative O. E. Lawson which is
one of the best presentations of
the case that we have seen:
| Editor Courier Our state cap
ital was located in the years fol
lowing the flush of the early settla-
ment of the state. 'Ihe main caus
es which contributed to place il
where it is were, First: A teoii G
by many at thar time that it should
be placed near the center of the
state. Second: The jealousy Of
four or five ambitious towns that
had failed in the scramble for tenn
porary capital, which then threw
their influence for the candidate
farthest away and least likely 10
become a competitor. Third: A
liberal campaign fund from the
promoters of the successful aspir,
ant, which was an effective means,
owing to the open ballot system.
Ever since that time the feeling
has grown stronger among the peo-
pie and especially with all who
have had occasion TO do business
here, that our capital was very
much misIocated. After numer-
Gus attempts in that direction the
plan was successful at the last ses-
sion of the legislature Of again
Dfiuging this question before the
people for action. With the expe-
rience of two sessions in the legis-
lature and having studied the sub
ject in all its bearings, we are GER
tainly of the opinion that it is to
the best interests of a large major
ity of the people of the state that
the capital should be relocated.
The capitals where the business
of the state is transacted. Every
office is more or less in constant
touch with every county seat in the
state, AS we'll as with the different
state institutions, hence it goes
without saying that the logical
place for any state capital is where
it can communicate with the larg-
est population and be reached in
the least possible time by those
who may have business to transact
There can be no question but
that the capital located at Mitchell
is conveniently accessible to all
parts of the state east of the Mis-
souri river. Located there we be-
lieve it will be the means of solving
satisfactorily to all concerned the
rivalry on this capital question
now existing between the two great
lines of railroad. The railroads in
question compare in mileage in
South Dakota as about four.to five,
the Milwaukee system having the
greater mileage. With the North
western is included the Omaha
lines with about 80 miles, also the
Elkhorn line in the Black Hills
with about 100 miles. These are
all parts of the Vanderbilt system
and though differing in name are
owned by the same people. have
the same president and close traf
tic connections and, as far as ser,
vice of the public is concerned,
constitute one company. Although
the Northwestern does not enter
Mitchell directly, yet by means of
the Omaha line the whole system
has direct connection at Salem
Hence relocation of the capital can
hardly be unfair even to the rail
roads, though giving the Milwau-
kee system direct tconnection which
it has not now. 1t is but natural
that the Northwestern system hav-
ing once secured the monopoly of
railroad facilities at the state cap
ital, should, by every legitimate
means, try to retain that prestige.
Any one at all familiar with con
ditions knows that there is nothing
prospective III the way of business
that would warrant another road
entering to compete at the state
capital as located now. Even with
the railroad extended to The
4 Hills it should be regarded as very
unfortunate and detrimental to The
prestige of the state to have iits ea p.
ital continue to he locate on but
a1one lirie nf. com ID ,aieati tios,
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