Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-04-16
Thursday, April 10, 1908.

II. CaSSlll, mas Deen directly cndrBeu
with appropriating to his own use
interest on the state funds amount
ing to between $4,000 and $4,000
per year. In acknowledging the
ccrn, the Webster World says:
"Among the reforms which the next
progressive legislature is ALMOST
sure of enacting is one by which
public repositories are designated,
state treasurers relieved of response
bility and the interest accrue to the
state" More promises. In the last
legislature, the insurgents had a heavy
workingmajority in both houses and
same majority on the committees Of
both houses. They were in posi-
ton, as has been repeatedly pointed
out in these columns, to pass and
did pass any legislation desired and
to defeat and did defeat any measure
not the their liking. On Jan, 81,
1907, Representative Bratrud, of
Minnehaha county introduced bill
establishing repositories for state
moneys and compelling the state
treasurer TO turn over to the state
all interest on state funds. What
was the fate of this billY On Feb.
LIST it was referred to the committee
ON banks and banking; on Feb. 4th
it was transferred to the committee
on state affairs; on Feb. 20 this COM
mittee reported bill with recon-
mentation that it do NOT pass; on
Feb. rs this report came up for con
sideration and Representative Satire,
an insurgent, moved that the report
of the committee be adopted;
Representative Bratrud moved to
amend that the bill do pass, where
upon a roll call was had on the
and every insurgent
present voted against it and every
stalwart present voting for it; the
vote standing mays 80, yeas 30,
absent or excused T." and the bill
was killed killed, take notice, by
the insurgent majority. The golden
to place upon the statute
books a measure which would save
to the state at least $4,000 in two
years, was gone and now you are
asked to accept more promises, that,
if given another chance, the insur-
gents will pass a similar measure,
The excuse given for the defeat of
the Bratrud bill was that it was an
attack on the Crawford administra-
ton, but the real reason was that
this money was wanted for use in
the campaign OF Crawford for the
senate and is now being so used.
The Crawford party was voted into
power solely on promises promises
Of reform, economy and efficiency.
The people were promised bread
and given stone, Instead of
economy the record shows that the
last legislature was the most extrav-
agant in the history Of the state,
the appropriation bill carrying $3.50
600 in excess of the average appro-
priations for the three proceeding
legislatures; the allowance to state
officers was increased $4,000 and
new and worthless Offices created
an additional expenditure
Of over $4,000. As to reforms it is
found that the passenger rate is not
changed, freight and express rates are
higher; taxes increased; as to efici-
cheney in Office it is found that every
state officer is absent from his post
of duty working politics all over the
state. And this is the record of the
party Of reform" Strong on
promises when in need of votes bat
violating every pledge when placed
in power. Some Of the alleged
reforms instituted by these self
styled reformers and upon which
they lay grest stress may be men.
toned the primary law, having for
it, object the publication Of the
ballot. yet right here in Day county
there are men traversing the county
asking and advising the prohibition.
ists 70 violate the law by voting the
insurgent republican ticket; q Law
prohibiting corporations from con
tributing 70 campaign funds, yet w
Hnd - heavy contributors to thu
Crawford corruption fund the Nor