Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-04-02
AN OPEN LETTER.
Representative Palmer Defends
Day County Representatives
of the Last Session.

Editor of Reporter and Farmer.
We know that for the past few
years there has been tidal wave OF
reform of one nature and another
sweeping over the whole United
States. With the average South
Dakotan the ideal reform is the cur
failing of the powerful influence of
railroad monopolies and the reduc-
ton of exorbitant passenger and
freight rates, We all realize there
are none better informed of this
opposition to railroads than the
railroads themselves. Now, Mr..
Voter, bear in mind these railroads
are on the defensive against the
sentiment of the people, and as they
are possessed of ability, Of means
and with force of character that
knows no backing down until every
resourceful effort on their part is
exhausted, and also knowing their
rapacious greed for wealth. power
and influence, would it not be
reasonable to suppose that they, the
railroads, would meet together to
formulate plan to defeat this oppo-
sition; and if they did, would it
seem out Of order to suppose they
would utilize the very ideal reform
as a bait to beat the reformer at his
own game. In fact what else could
they do to defeat this opposition?
Now again would it seem
unreasonable to suppose them to
choose for their banner carrier a
man on the ticket for office who had
been tried and found not wanting in
their behalf, one who had lobbied
for them before legislatures, jurors,
state adjustment boards and before
various committees, and who had
served them as salaried attorney
and lobbyist for years without a
break or interval of giving them
entire satisfaction In fact would
it have been possible for them to
have found better man in their
employment for their purpose than
Coe /. Crawford.
Now, Mr.. Voter, that they might
carry out their deception of reform
it was necessary to dress their bait
with the appearance OF sincerity.
To begin with their attorney and
lobbyist, Coe |. Crawford, had to
resign a $500 job for $4,000
governorship and two years cam
paign. This itself would imply
that coon was in the woodpile
somewhere. 1t is said Mr.. Craw-
ford has issued more free passes
than any man in South Dakota,
which was, / presume, part OF his
business up to the very eve of his
resignation. Now think of the sud-
den transformation from a railroad
chrysalis TO a full fledged gaudy
winged reformer, doing penace for
the past by denouncing his old
employers, the railroad, and the
only reward he asked for this change
of heart, at least to begin with,
was the governorship. This ruse
took with the insurgent reformers
and they gave him all he asked for.
This kind Of penace reminds me of
the robber who loots a bank and
then demands reward and pardon
to surrender himself and gets it.
The question now is, Mr.. Voter,
have you had enough of this decep-
tions There is saying "None are
so blind as those who will not see"
However, II person is willing to BE-
convinced Of the facts, there is
ample proof to convince the sincere
reformer Of the deception Of the
railroads. The governor in his
address at Webster pats himself
and party for passing the anti-pass
bill. 80 do the railroad companies.
He also says the extra appropriation
was made to defray the railroad
fare Of state officers who get these
bens0ts. Bear in mind Mr.. Voter
The railroads get great many
thousands 81 dollars for this reform
While ] believe the free pass should
be taAsn away from Legislators, out
aide Of this ! think the average citi
zen would b dollars ahead without
the rssArieAion. In composition th'
railroads. heretofore Issued fire.