Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1907-12-13
HOT SPRINGS SOUTH DAKOTA, FRIDAY DECEMBER I3 1907

xxO i Ox
vised by the next congress. The tariff
on lumber and woodpulp should be re
moved altogethef, and there should be
q liberal reduction on many manu-.
featured articles where we are COM
peting successfully in the markets Of
the world.
l favor national policy of recipros.
ity upon the principles expounded by
James G. Blaine, and William McKin-
ley in his memorable Buffalo speech.
We should be in position to make
tariff concessions to foreign countries
offering to US better markets for the
products of our farms and factories.
In the campaign of 1906 the state
became the victim of a political &C.
csaent of a kind which frequently
happens, but is seldom permanent.
A combination was formed between
political leaders having little in com.
mon except in desire for office. By
means of bogus stone issues, false
accusations against public serv-
ants, political slander and misrepresen.
tation, sufficient delegates were elected
from the various counties to control
the state convention. The results
have been what might have been ex.
pected from political alliance of that
character.
Standing upon a platform declaring
for the state wide primary, this polite.
al combination has placed the most
prominent opponent of the primary
system in the most honorable position
in the gift of the state, but not until q
legislative committee had performed
white wash for questionable official
transactions, the most humiliating
spectacle in the history of the state.
They have adopted political methods
as arbitrary and partisan as any yet
employed in the state. In some in
! stances efficient men have been re-
moved from the public service from
purely political considerations. In
some instances persons have been ap-
pointed to the service with little to
recommend them except their ac-
tivity in the common cause.
Posing as champions of the idea of
larger proportionate taxes from the
corporations, they have increased some
corporation taxes; but materially re-
,duced others, and have increased the
taxes Of the farmers, merchants and
active business men in far greater
proportion. The aggregate tax upon
the state is the largest in its history,
and larger proportionate burden is
placed upon the farmers and other
producing classes than ever before.
The majority of the people are. fair,
honest and just. They believe in real
reform, but they have little patience
with that brand of reform which is
large in profession and protestations
but small in performance. I do not
believe that majority of the repub-
licans of the state was behind this
political combination one year ago, and
1 do not believe that majority is be-
hind it now.
The present legislature has passed
some good laws for which it should re-
ceive full credit. The primary law
should be thoroughly tried, and if it
will give to the people more direct
and potential part in political affairs
| it shonld be retained permanently.
Some other acts of the legislature are
in the right direction, and should be
fairly and fully tried before repeal or
material modification.
The burdens of taxation too, often
fall in unjust proportion upon the man
with small capital or property inter.
ests. Measures should be devised
both state and national to compel q
fair contribution from all classes of
property and especially from accum-
uk6G6u 1OICUuoSs NdSU 0SUhGoS 6uu 6rk0
annual incomes. This should be done,
not in a vindictive spirit, but upon
principles of absolute fairness and
intelligent justice to all interests
great and small.
Assuring you of my best efforts in
the public service in case of my cleo.
tion again to congress and further that
1 shall be satisfied with the verdict Of
the people at the polls. whatever it
may be, remain,
Sincerely yours,
EBEN w. MARTIN.
| NOTICE.
1t is the desire of the officers of the
Hot Springs Athletic Club, that all
members still owing dues, would please
make payment Of same during the
next I've days. Further, the presence
OF all members is requested at the reg
ulsr business meeting on Wednesday,