Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-05-08

Of three cells, a very necessary utility,
and we can now house our unfortu-
mates In a humane manner. We have
introduced the system OF CRATES IN
street crossings, which although cost
Ing q little more in the first instance
are SO much cheaper to maintain,
make 50 much better drains and are
necessary In keeping clean the con-
Meeting walks and add SO much to
general appearance that their use
ought to be continued in all future
crossings.
We worked an economy In the OPP
Grafton Of the water plant whereby
we have saved more than $1,000 dur
ing my term. We have put $1,S0O in
to the sinking fund and it viii io#
be possible during the coming year to
take up $1,000 Of city bonds which
will leave US with only $11, 600 bonded
indebtedness. We will turn over to
our successors assets practically suffi-
Client to offset all warrants issued,
thereby showing a better financial
condition than two years ago. The
routine work of the various offices
and Of the council committees has
gone on smoothly and I think we'll,
and while not all our acts and mea-
sures are above criticism, i believe,
as a whole, the city's affairs have
been as judiciously handled as they
would h ave been by any other set OF
men.
But while our people expect econo-
my and care in these matters OF bust
ness their greatest concern at all
times relates to questions Of law and
order, and herein lies the most diff.
cult and serious part Of the admins.
tration. While the open saloon is gen
orally recognized as a destroyer OF
manhood and a breeder Of crime, the
fact remains that orderly government
is still harder to maintain when the
saloon is banished. or course, there
Is not so much riotous disorder, but
there is the more serious Stealthy VIC
lation OF law which imposes a much
greater burden upon official response
bility. However, this Is no reason fol
admitting the saloon but 1t does show
that with too many people antagon'
Ism to the liquor traffic stops at the
saloon.
II the people In their zeal to &C
good would classify the unlicensed
vendor OF strong drink where he be
longs, beneath the nan who runs a Ii
censed saloon, and would place hin
socially and in business ways on the
same footing, there would then be as
surance Of successful operation OF oul
prolfbitory laws. But SO long as per
sonal friendship or sympathy can in,
tervene to investigate crime OF this
sort, Just SO long will success be rela-
tive only.
For a considerable portion of my
administration a wholesome respect
for the law, perhaps, has kept this
class of disorder fairly we'll In check,
but conditions for some time prior to
the recent election have seemed to
inspire a growing freedom from re
straint and I have been conscious OF a
backward movement along this line.
This fact emphasizes the constant
menace to law and order to which we
are exposed and it emphasizes, too,
the fact that when official scrutiny is
for any cause supposed to be momen-
tarily diverted, that moment is
quickly seized upon to do an illegal
thing.
We have at times thieves and rob
|bers, forgers, incendiaries and even
murderers, yet the greatest menace
to law and order and the greatest
shock to the moral stability OF q COM
munity comes through the illegal
TRAFFIC In intoxicating liquors.
The boot-legger and the hole-in-the
wall, shorn Of the garb Of respectable
|ity and outside the pale OF sympathy
are easy propositions. But when any
man uses . reputable and honorable
business as q shield and cloak to con-
ceal his stealthy and persistent efforts
TO sell poor whisky both in violation
OF law and the expressed command Of
his community, he IS contemplate In
contrast with the man who runs an
open saloon and is an enemy Of society
and should be branded as such.
Until people generally will awaken
to the enormity Of this offense, order
" government In prohibition terri
tory will be difficult. When they do
50 awaken it will be like coming out
OF q bad dream with a restful know
ledge OF safety and security.
/ leave the office Of mayor willingly,
gladly, In fact eagerly, but not sore
and discouraged and not without con-
yiction that the people have In their
hands the means to make their de-
mands effective as regards the liquor
trafic.
In conclusion, I want to thank this
council strongly for their kindness
and consideration towards me at all
times. ] have defended your action
times when / questioned II you
were right; you have done the same
with me and all to preserve the spirit
Of fellowship and harmony which !
lLL-& -Ln-A-