The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-07-23
DEMOCRATS OFFER
Their DECLARATION
OF POLITICAL FAITH
Favor Physical Valuation, De-
post Insurance, Depository
and Primary Laws.

Rapid City, S. D., July 20--The demo-
cratic state convention adjourned yes
terday after nominating Judge w. w.
Soule, formerly of Sioux City, for the
short term of congress. A. III. Olson
was given the congressional nomina-
ton In place of c. j. b. Harris, who
withdrew his name. Roy Beach. of
and VIM. Healy, of Miller, named for
secretary OF state in place of A. II.
Olson, who vacated that place pm the
ticket to accept the congressional nomi.
nation.
The resolutions adopted by the demo-
Gratis at Rapid City are as follows:
We the representatives of the democrat
ic party of the state OF South Dakota, in
convention assembled reassert our belief
In democratic principles as taught by
Jefferson and Lincoln, Equal rights to all
and special privileges to none" And we
call special attention to the platform and
candidates adopted by the party OF the
nation assembled at Denver, which we
hereby most heartily indorse.
We condemn the method in which the
forest reserve regulations are enforced.
We favor the passage of a law requir-
ing the railroad commissions to ascertain
the physical value Of the railroad property
of the state and the election OF railroad
commissioners who will fix rates in ac-
cordance with the value thus determined,
n as authorized by the existing laws of
the state. And that the present discrim-
nation practiced by the railroads against
citizens living west of the Missouri river,
present law, be removed by our state
commissioners
Physical Valuation Demanded.
We demand the passage of a law re-
quiring the railroad commissioners of the
state to determine the physical value of
In this state, and a law authorizing said
in this state, and alaw authorizing said
commissioners to fix the rates for service
charged by said corporations. s. "
We favor the election Of United States
senator by a direct vote of the people.
We pledge ourselves to legislation under
which the state banks shall be required to
establish a guarantee fund for the prompt
payment of the depositors of any insol-
vent state bank. We favor a postal saw
ings bank so constituted that 1t shall keep
its deposits In the community where es-
we urge upon congress to revise the tar
if so as to admit free of duty all goods
that compete with trust made articles in
this country, and that all lumber, pulp,
logs and coal be admitted free of duty.
We favor the establishment of model
farms In every county in the state, TO be
conducted by the state. where expert
ments can be made to ascertain the best
crops adapted to the locality where seeds
can be tested, and pure seed furnished at
cost; where experiments can be made in
the raising of trees, to be supplied to In
dividuals at cost. '
Referendum. Endangered.
The partisan assault OF the supreme
court OF South Dakota upon the referen-
ture may be prevented from submission to
popular vote by declaring an emergency,
to exist, should be cured by proper legis-
lation, and we pledge the democratic
originally guaranteed by the referendum
amendment "T#
We are opposed to the sale of any more
Of the lands belonging to the state, and
favor the amendment Of the constitution,
and the enactment of such laws In rela-
ton to leasing of public lands for all pur-
poses as shall allow the tsnsnt ito to make
We favor the enactment of ADEQUATE pro-
visions for the depositing In local banks
OF all available public funds and the a y
ment to the proper public corporation of
interest upon all such public funds. We
also favor the passage of a law putting
into effect the constitutional provisions
making II a felony for any public official
to profit directly or indirectly from public
funds. "
critieise Monopoly.
We believe that the people of South
Dakota have been, and now are, robbed
labor. and when buying the n~ecessaries of
life such as coal, oil, lumber, building ma
terial and machinery from the monopolies,
dealers In such commodities, and to pre-
pledge our united efforts for the vigorous
and immediate enforcement Of all anti
trust and differentiation laws now in
force, or that may necessarily be enacted
for that purpose in the state.
Inasmuch as a great portion Of our state
Is still undeveloped, and our rural popu-
iation Is at a great d~isadvantSge with ref
products, we favor such legislation as will
insure q permanent system OF good roads
and bridges wherever needed throughout
Recognizing the value OF united effort
In developing and advertising the re-
sources of our state In order that perma-
nent citizens may be induced TO locate
and capital to Invest in South Dakota, we
indorse and highly m the work
of the Federation of South Dakota Com
mercial club. and favor such legislation
as will aid in carrying out the objects of
the federation. Z
we favor a primary election law, but
the present primary election law was evil
bosses in control of our legislation for
the purpose of pe~rpetuating party govern
ment. We pledge the democratic party
to the enactment OF amendments to said
law which will make Ii understood and
leave the voter untrammeled In the Sc
lection Of his choice for the candidates for
office.
We call upon the people Of the state
to join with us and rescue the educa-
tional institutions of the state from the
corrupt political board of regents, who are
and have despoiled these Institutions by
partisan appointments. filling the highest
educational positions with politicians
who's only qualification was party service
to a corrupt ring of bosses.
We pledge the democratic party to pass
such laws as shall prevent the political
control OF these institutions.
We favor the repeal Of the present law
under which the county commissioners are
elected by the county at large, and we
demand the restoration of the old Law,
under which they were elected by dis
~tricts, as being more ~consopant with the
principals OF democratic government.
Compares Political Government.
The republican party OF this state Is
equally divided between the followers Of
Governor Crawford and Senator Kilt
redge, each denouncing the other for cor
ruption in office and extravaganza n
w~astefulness In the conduct OF the gov
eminent of the state. AS both of these
factions rave had control Of all branches
of the government since 1901, Kittredge
from 1901 to 1907 and Crawford from 1907
to the present time, we ask the voters to
compar those two last republican ad-
illustrations with the administration Of
Governor Lee from 1897 to 1901 and then
determine whether they desire to restore
Lee to- power or continue either of these