Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1904-06-10
"A Common Sense View.

xuo 0UlSOE VI tuo IS0Uu0Au : I09O ko'
ceived the following from Senator Nc.
Caughey:
MELLETTE, 8. D., MAY 10, 1904
Hon: O. 8. Basford, Redfeld, 8, D.
Dear Sir:-In reply to your request of
recent date give you briefly my rea.
sons for supporting Senate Joint resolu.
ton No l, being joint resolution pro.
posing to submit the question Of the
seat Of government to q vote Of the peo.
pie, permit me to say that did 30 for
two..main reasons
First, because I was fully convinced
that the people Of Sphinx county were
practically unanimous In their desire
that the seat Of government Of this
state should be located in the James
river valley, and at point accessible
to the people of all parts Of the state.
Second, becsuss I was fully convinced
that the people Of the state Of South
Dakota were practically unanimous in
their opinion that the capital removal
would never down or cease to be agi.
tated within our state until the voters
ut the polls had had an opportunity to
pass upon this or similar resolution.
From the very day Pierre was. de.
clared the capital Of our state, dissatis-
faction has been evident because Of the
Inconvenience in reaching that place
and the amount of valuable time con-
sumed going TO and ffom the capital.
At the last session Of the legislature the
deliberations thereof have been materi-
ally affected by the sgitation Of this
subject, and 40 often % the subject has
presented itself, just 20 often have the
farmers, business men and professional
men-.he men who keep in touch with
the affairs Of the state and who will
pass upon this question from the broad
view Of . state question-urged upon
their representatives to use al honor
able means to bring shout the passage
Of such joint resolution as would per-
NIT the voters Of the state to express
their judjment after mature dslibers.
tion. 80
The effect Of this spirit7of unrest and
dissatisfaction has shown itself and
been guarded against in the organizs.
tion Of our legislative bodies since state
hood until, finally, in the session of
1901, it jeopardized our very necessary
appropriations.
. So thorougly did this action arouse
the voters Of the state st large that
those who favored removal, - we'll as
those who did not, with practical unan
Unity agreed that the question would
never down; until legally submitted to
the individual voters for final settle
ment. The question became an issue In
the last campaign with the result of
submitting the proposed ammendment
by an almost unanimous vote.
At the coming election the voters Of
our state will have the privilege and
right TO express their decision fearlessly
and with such force that there will be
no doubt as to what their opinion is in
the mind Of any one. would like to
say to every voter that when you 60,
into the booth to mark your ballot,
mark your choice on this amendment
the first thing you do and you will have
done your duty upon this question and
the result cannot be else than just.
As to the result in our county I feel
confident 1T will be q substantial YER
dict in favor Of the amendment; in fact.
such q support as will justify, in every
detail, the action and statements Of our
committee when by unanimous action
and finn determination they said RE
submit the capital question by all
means"
Respe ctfully submitted.
r. H. MCCAUGHEY.