The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-01-16
The "StalWdrtS" Shirked Duty

nc SLdlWdILS OIllI kCu Duty
The REGISTER proposes to fasten the
blame for the present "high taxation"
claimed by the Bookings Press, Argus
Leader and Aberdeen News, where it
belongs.
First, the stalwart board OF equaliza-
ton, headed by Sam Elrod, then gov
ernor OF the state, did not hold its
meeting to equalize the taxes until
July 1906, after the state convention
had been held in Sioux Falls.
Second, at the state convention in
Sioux Falls the "stalwarts" were
ousted from supremacy by an indig-
nant people.
Having lost everything at the state
convention at Sioux Falls from con-
gressmen down, the stalwarts became
desperate and In their vain hope Of re-
tanning control of the legislative and
county offices they threw business
prudence overheard and, making two
mill levy, went before the people on
that one issue-"economy."
Third, when the "stalwart" board
met in July they found that there was
then deficiency and that in order to
make good their statement previously
made to the people OF economical ad-
ministration they must leave the
deficiency 20 oyer to be taken care OF
by the administration which would
follow, allow emergency warrants to
be issued drawing interest and levy a
two mill tax. This they did and then
their mouthpieces got busy and her.
aided to the world that it was the low
est assessment made for years, thus
trying to show that they had made
good their promises OF economy. BUT
THE DEBTS STILL REMAINED
UNPAID.
Fourth, when the Legislature con-
vened at Pierre in January 1907 what
was disclosed2 That there had been
willful neglect on the part OF the Ell
rod administration to provide suffi-
cient funds, by taxation, to pay debts
which had been incurred by the "stal-
wart" administration. 1t was neces-
sary at that Tins to make deficiency
appropriation after deficiency appro-
priation with an emergency clause to
pay these bills.
Fifth, when the state board OF equal
ization met at Pierre in July 1907 they
were confronted with serious prob
lem. Not only had the people by di-
rect vote demanded that funds should
be raised to pay for Irvine plant at
the state penitentiary, but the legisla-
ture had passed special deficiency bills
which demanded that money be raised
T. pay off various debts which the
Elrod administration had incurred and
to cap the climax there was found to
exist deficit OF $25O, 900 left as leg
acy by the "stalwarts" to the present
anu hi6hs "hN
ought to haye been paid by the former
incumbents in Office through taxation.
Instead OF doing as the "stalwarts"
had done land which they might have
done) the present board OF equaliza-
ton, regardless OF what might be said
levied q three mill tax to cover the
state expenses and to pay off the def
cheney left by the "stalwart" admin
istration.
In view OF these undeniable facts
and the stigma OF thigh taxatiNn"
which the 'Astalwart" press has been
trying to iasten upon the Crawford
administration it is about time for the
soreheads to get busy and explain why
it was that they did not levy 3-mill
tax in 1906. Does it not look as though
it was planned by the "stalwarts" to
only levy two mill tax in order to
make it appear that they had been
economical and then, when the pres