Eureka post. (Eureka, McPherson Co., S.D.) 18??-19??, 1907-01-11
Letter from Pierre,
Pierre &

1here can Oe no u0uDt that the Sena:
torial campaign Of 1908 is In full blast
and that Senator Kittredge and Cover
nor Crawford are pitted in titanic
struggle for the prize. Every action OF
the present legislature and the political
movements Of the new administration
will be weighed with an eye to its effects
upon that contest.
Senator Gamble will be reelected
with little opposition. Ii any member
desires to make an official investigation
OF the charges made against the Senator
he will OF object, though 1t is not prob.
able that he will ask for an investiga-
tion. Since the Senate IS arrival in
Pierre last Saturday, accompanied by a
large party of neighbors from Yankton
spd number of political friends from
other sections Of the state there has been
a constantly growing Gamble sentiment
here and corresponding weakening of
the propaganda to discredit him. Gov
ernor Crawford is vigorously champion
ing the Senator's cause and does not
deem the charges In any respect merit
orious or substantial; i'm fact he is not
disposed to dignity them with nvesti-
cation. There are, of course, a goodly
number who would like to be shown,
yet who do not care to alligh themselves
against the state administration.
Even in the selection of officers Of the
legislature the coming senatorial cam
paign is reflected, as in the selection Of
}. w. Cone Of Minnehaha county for
chief clerk. Cone is persona non grata
to Senator Kittredge and to the Mime
haha county delegation, but those Cir
cuinstances are measures of streng h to
him here. He is a splendid officer and
has served as chief clerk in three or
four state and territorial house.
Another place where the senatorial
situation is bound 10 be an element in
legislation is il the reapportionment of
the legislative districts. 1t will be re-
called that no apportionment Of the
legislative districts was made five years
ago, owing to factIonal deadlock be-
tween house and senate so we are still
operating under the pportionment
made by the Populists in 1897 Ten
years have brought some decided chang
es in relative population figures. The
lower river counties have practically
stood unchanged while Mlnnehaha,
Lawrence and Brown, the leading stall
wart counties have gained more than
one third of the total gain in populas
tion. A reapportionment which would
do exact justice to these stalwaft coun-
ties would of course strengthen Senator
kittredge and to that extent reduce the
chances of Governor Crawford. Under
the circumstances it will require almost
superhuman virtues on the part of an
insurgent legislature TO carry out. un-
qualifiedly the square deal principle,
yet who shall say 1t would not be the
wisest possible political policy for them
TO do so.
The views of Governor Crawford re.
lating 10 the Governors contingent
fund" and his declared purpose to have
it investigated with view TO bringing
a civ acJion has created no small sen
sation though in fact uch action has
bv many been confidently expected ever
since the insurgent victory last spring.
The most loyal friends of Governors
Herreid and Elrod have long deplored
this matter and felt that the acceptance
of the gratulty was unwise aud uncon-
stitutional. To many it has beon the
only real ground of criticism of these
administrations. IL is said that Cover
nor Elrod has kept the sums drawn up.
on this fund intact in a seperate bank
deposit and stands ready to make good
instantly if the courts so decree.
Next 10 the contingent fund iEcident
Gov. Elrod's advice TO return 10 North
Carolina the proceeds of the bonds do
mated TO this state las caused most sur.
prise. Legislators and public are divid-
ed upon the practicability of following
this advice, but all agree that the pro.
posal is predicated in good conscience.
The organization period has been par,
ticularly a good natured one. There
have been no indications of the stress OF
feeling which frequently characterize
organization DAYS.
The anti-pass agitation has very
materially reduced the attendance OF
visitors who come cut for fun.
Harry Austin Robinson.
--------a> <@--------