Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-05-12

the time for the most part was an un.
occupied region, and whose possibilities
in the way of productiveness were alb.
solutely unknown, or at best were pure.
ly q matter of opinion.
Although the richness of the region
was in time fully demonstrated, the
settlement of the country would have
been retarded many years had not the
railroads voluntarily treated the new
settlers with the utmost liberality.
But there yet remains great deal to
be accomplished for the growth and
development of the state, and in this
work the railroads. as in the present
and past, will be an important if not the
sole factor.
For this and other reasons the people
Of South Dakota are not in favor Of
railroad rate regulation and super
vision by the federal government, as
this would effectually prevent the
further development and growth in
population of South Dakota. as well as
other western states which have large
areas of government land yet subject
to entry.
The Chicago. Milwaukee and st. Paul
railroad company has just commenced
the work Of extending line Of road
from the town Of Chamberlain. situat-
ed on the Missouri river, in the central
part of the state. toward the Black
Hills. in western South Dakota. This
line, when extended to the Black, Hills
will be the first railroad to connect
western and eastern South Dakota.
This is also tho first railroad line to
be extended into a vast territory EN-.
bracing an area of about 100000
acres of land which was ceded to the
government by the Sioux Indians in
1889, and opened to homestead settle.
ment on February 10, 1890.
During the present year the new line
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul
railroad com mpany will be extended
about seventy or eighty miles, 70 the
interior of the ceded lands between the
Missouri river and the Black Hills.
AS in early days, a region which for
the most part is unoccupied is again
invaded by railroad, and as was the
case in the vast territory east of the
Missouri river, it is probable the same
liberal policy which settled eastern
South Dakota will bc followed for the
purpose of inducing settlement Of the
region through which the new railroad
is being extended
Settlement of this and other parts Of
South Dakota, where there is room fol
thousands of new settlers, would be
stopped completely should the govern
ment assume control of freight and
passenger rates and fix an inflexible
rate
Residents of South Dakota are
beginning to understand the Importance
of this question from the standpoint OF
the interests of their state. They real
ize that under government control re-
duced rates could not be given new
settlers as an inducemenr for them to
occupy the vacant government lands of
South Dokota, and the result would be
that the influx of new settlers, which is
so necessary for the future develop
ment and prosperity of the state, would
cease aud the development of South
Dakota would be at standstill.
| Notwithstanding the good work done
by the railroads during the past twenty
years in advancing the material and
business interests of South Dakota.
there yet remains vast amount OF
work along the same line to be done.
In round numbers South Dakota YET
has about 10000. 900 acres of vacant
government land, and this amount will
be added to from time to time as the
surplus lands of Indian reservations are