Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-01-12
TWO GOOD MESSAGES.
Ex-Governor in His Last
Message Reviews the
Rapid Growth of
the State.
REVIEWS FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
South Daks&a Free From Debt
Two Years Hence. Favors
New Capitol at Pierre.
GOVERNOR ELROD'S MESSAGE
Talks on the Tax Laws.-FavOrs
Irvine Plant for Prison.
Half Million Dollars
For Capitol.
GOVERNOR ELROD'S MESSAGE

Pierre, 8. D., Jan. An his last
message to the legislature Governor
Herreid reviewed at length the affairs
of the state government and declared
that never before has the legislature
met under conditions more suspicious
and satisfactory.
'In the development of the state"
he said, "the progress has been rapid
and uninterrupted. The production and
accumulation of wealth have been
phenomenal. Everywhere we find evil
dence of moral, intellectual and in.
dustrial advancement.
"The financial condition Of the state
la far better today than it has ever
been. We are emerging from a period
Sf continued deficiencies, bridged over
again and again by revenue warrants
issued against future taxes. l am hap
by to predict that the legislature
which will assemble two years hence
will find the state without debt, either
floating or bonded, with the treasury
having funds to meet current ex-
penses and revenues sufficient for all
ordinary demands against the state"
In the matter Of assessment and
taxation the retiring executive econ
mended:
First, that the first meeting Of the
state board be held in January or Feb
ruary, with authority to adjourn from
time to time. 200
Second-The appointment by the
members of the board Of an officer
who may be designated state a
commissioner"
Third-An annual meeting Of the
county assessors Of the state. Coun-
ties having no county assessor the
chairman of the county board to rep
resent said county. a
New Capitol Needed
Discussing the need of a new CAPT.
toll. Governor Herreid said:
South Dakota needs a state house
-lreproof, commodious and in har-
mony with its progress and prosperity.
The accommodating records, archives
and library are in danger from d%estruc.
ton by fire.
"The state has $4,000 acres donated
by congress for a capitol. At the end
of this fiscal year the accumulated
rentals of these lands will amount to
about $4,000. This income will in
crease rapidly.
January l, 1907, should find the
state without a floating or bonded in
~debtedness and an assessed valuation
of at least $3.50, 600, 1000. The burden of
taxation is less in South Dakota than
in any other northwestern state.
From a financial standpoint this
would seem to be a most opportune
time for planning the construction OF
a capitol. If this legislature should
provide for a capitol commission and
the necessary funds for the prelimi-
nary work 1t is not probable that it
could be completed in less than six
years.
Eventually the congressional dona-
ton of lands will abundantly cover the
cost of a new state house. Rather than
sell said land at present prices the
necessary funds should be provided,
either by taxation through a short
period of years or by using the credit
of the state, which would secure
money at a very low rate of interest"
Governor EIrod's Message
Governor Elrod. In his message to
the joint assembly, said In part:
The tendency of things under ex-
listing laws is to escape taxation, and
If something Is not done, before we
realize it real estate and the homes
of u people will be paying all the
taxes. This Is not right. II any class
of property is to be exempt it should
be the little home of the family. 1t Is
a notorious fact that no tax is paid on
probably rs per CEN OF our personal
property. Moneys and credits are not