Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-10-01

Redfeld, S. D., Sept. %, 1908.
Editor Reporter and Farmer:


Editor Reporter and Farmer:
Sir:
A friend has sent me a clipping
from your paper Of date Sept. Oath
You devote two columns editorially
in attacking the integrity of the
governor OF this state and myself.
II you did not intend to be running
a republican paper, / would pay NO
attention to this wholly unjustified
and unwarranted assault. As it is
feel that your readers are entitled to
statement from me in reply.
The legislature OF 1907 passed a
resolution, the first and last section
OF which is as follows:
Whereas: it is currently reported
that the lumber dealers engaged in
business in the State of South
Dakota, or very large proportion
of them, are in combination and
working under an agreement Ito fix
arbitrary prices on lumber
Now, Therefore; be it resolved
that the attorney general be and he
is hereby requested 10 make full and
complete investigation Of the matter
and for that purpose may subpoena
and examine witnesses under oath
and il he deems that case can by
made against the parties SO engaged
in such illegal trusts, that he shall
cause to be commenced an action
against such parties so unlawfull"
engaged in such trusts or monopoly.
This measure is House Joint
Resolution No. 10. / have omitted
a large portion Of the resolution for
the sake Of space, but you can
readily see the purport Of it and the
obligation imposed upon me.
Under this specific direction, |
made investigation, as rapidly as
possible, and the suit against the
Williams Bros. Lumber company
was instituted by me as necessary
result OF these Investigations and
the direction contained in the above
resolution. / would have been dir
elect in my duty and coward If Il
had no. brought action after the dis
closure made by my investigation.
! cannot discuss the evidence at
this time, but I have no fear OF
criticism from honest men after the
case has been tried. You and your
readers may rest assured that the
case will be tried.
As to the drst continuance ST the
case. The July term OF the Day
county court came at such time
that feared i would be unable to
be present on account OF multi
tude Of other important matters that
was pressing IN upon me at that
time and / 50 wrote to the attorneys
for defendant. / was at Pierre
before the supreme court in argu-
ment Of the Kaufman murder case
when / received word that the lum-
Der case was likely to be reached for |
trial. 1t was impossible for me TO |
leave Pierre at that time. 1t was
necessary that continuance be had. |
The matter was laid before the cir
cult court by my local representative
and continuance was granted until
the 2lst day Of September. I was
prepared for trial at this time. The
case being set definitely, / was able
10 make arrangements so that other
dates and duties would not conflict |
and ! had made arrangements so
that other dates and duties would |
not conflict and I had made arrange
ments 70 meet my assistant, Mr..
Dougherty, al Webster on the even
ing Of the 10th. Before starting for
Webster received word that the
defendant had made application for
. continuance and that Judge Nc
Coy had intimated that he would
grant same on account Of the case
having been continued at our request
before. AT my request, my local
representative resisted the motion
|or continuance, but the contjnuance]
Rns nevertheless granted. I do not
sriticise Judge Mccoy in the slight
IL for granting the continuance at
~ request Of the defendant, under
ho circumstances, but IL was much |
looinet mo wish and desire as / had |