Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-02-13
Made the Opening Speech of the Campaign i'm
Webster-An Able Address-the Speaker
did not Deal i'm Generalites-FulIy
Sustaining His Position by
Facts and Figures.
Integentiy Presented and Ably Dscussedno Spread
Display-Smply Plain, Concise, Comprehensive State
o Facts-an Effort Worthy o m o.
ing Statesmen o Northwest-Listened 10
With Wrapped Attention throughout.
Facts and Figures


who, if successful, must necessarily
take low rank in the senate for years
to come. Passing to state affairs,
Mr.. Martin explained that by use OF
the word "we', he meant what is
known as the "stalwarts". What is
now known as the stalwart faction
assumed the reins of government at
the close of Governor Lees admins
tration in 1900 with Hon. C.. HI.
Herried in the gubernatorial chair.
At that time the state was burdened
with a bonded debt of 500, 1000. 90.
Mr.. Herried was succeeded by Gov
ernor Elrod whose term of two years
ended in 1906. The close of six
years of stalwart administration
showed the state to be without one
dollar of bonded indebtedness. 1t
is true that there was emergency
warrants outstanding to the amount
of 5000, 1000, but this was covered by
sufficient unpaid taxes so that the
state was turned over by Mr.. Elrod
to his successor, Mr.. Crawford, prac
tically clear of debt. In one short
year of reform administration, or Oh
January l, 1908, the following finan,
cial condition results:
Cash on hand, general
fund IS 26 600 90
General warrants out
standing ...... 100000 0O
Revenue warrants out
standing ......... 100000 0C
When the present administration
began with S3S,431.00 in cash on
hand, after allowing for the general
fund warrants outstanding, and a
debt of $250,000.00.
At the end Of one year we find the
treasury with $26,00000 on hand
debt and $550,000.O0.
The foregoing figures are taken
from the books of the treasury
department at the state capitol
The reform legislature appropri
ated $6o0,000 in excess of that
appropriated by any other legisla
ture in the history of the state
Taxation has been increased and vel
there will be deficiency Of between
$3.50, 900 and 100000. To illustrate
the increase, Mr. Martin stated thai
he had visited the court house anc
secured at random the state tax or
land in Day county. In one case
the state tax on quaIter of laed fol
1906 was SITS and for 1907 was
$3.50. The other was practically
the same. The question confront
ing the voter was, in view Of theil
protestations before election OIL
reform, "has the present reform
administration made good"
Throughout his discourse, Mr.
Martin was eminently fair, indulgine
in no abuse of the insurgent faction
and it was evident that his fairness
was appreciated by his audience
He stated that he was talking as a
citizen to his fellow citizens and tina,
if he had not made anything clear
or if there were any questions to be
asked, he was there to answer them
No questions we're asked, the speaker
was heartily applauded and the
large audience dispersed feeling that
Mr.. Martin was in every way worthy
of again representing this state in
the congress OF the United States,
He received many congratulations at
the close of his address and was
introduced to number Of citizens
who expressed their pleasure in his
mastery effort.