Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-04-24

LP1ERRH

1t appears that the question as to
whom is responsible for direct legisla-
ton in states of the northwes is UNI
der discussion, and credit in that line
is being given to w. S. Ulren, Of Ore
gon, Lincoln Steffens taking up and
exploiting that individual as the father
of the move. Doane Robinson, OF the
State Historical society, has been do
ing a little investigating and finds
hat Father Robert w. Hare, of Aber-
deem, was pushing the cause Of the
referendum in the early eighties, and
that H. L. Loucks as a leader In the
old Farmers Alliance move in Da-
kota Territory secured its adoption as
one of the policies of that organiza-
ton. That the initiative and referen-
dunn was adopted as. a part OF the
constitutional law of South Dakota In
1895, and was not taken up in region
until 1902, and that h Oregon pro-
motors secured all their information
as to procedure n methods from
correspondence with South Dakota,
and Mr.. Robinson insists hat whatev-
er credit is attached to the beginning
Of such legislation in the United States
should be given to the Dakotans who
pushed it before Oregon thought Of
such a move.
While the socialists are attacking
the primary law in it's fee provisions
alone, the prohibitionists will attack
the law in SO many places that If sus-
tanned in all their contentious, the law
would be void in so great a part, hat
it would practically be out of COM
mission. AT the last legislative ses-
sion specifically repealed the caucus
law, the prohibitionists in their con-
tention hold hat there is no laW in
regard to fling names of nominees
except that of 1903, and today at
tempted to file a ticket under the pro-
visions of the old law.
The record of fires in the state for
the month of February and March are
not as numerous as they We're for most
of the months last year. The list only
shows Al for the two months. h
| largest number were started from de-
fective stoves or chimneys, with only
five in which gasoline is given as the
cause. Fifteen are charged to stoves
or chimneys, and two to carelessness
with hot ashes. Thirteen are given
from unknown causes, and the rest
are from explosions, electric wires and
| prairie liISS. tohS IioiH
carelessness with matches for the tive
months.
Contractor Olson, of the state CAPT
toll, says tina it will be ON time yet
before the formal ceremony of the
laying of the corner stone of the build
ing. The stone contractors say it will
take two months to get the stone ready
for the laying, which will carry the
ceremony until some time in Tune. In
the meantime the laying Of the Or
tonville cut stone is in progress, and
work will be pushed right along, leav-
ing it in shape for the proper placing
of the corner stone as soon as it car
he secured, and the arrangements
be completed for the ceremony.
The Presho people are very enthu-
| siastic over their move for a vote on
county seat removal. They claim to
have a total of 1850 names on their
petition asking for a vote on removal
from Oacoma to Presho. with a vote OF
1900 in the county at the last election,
They believe that their petition is not
only strong enough to assure the sub
mission of the question, but also as
sures them of enough votes to make
them the county seat when the votes
are counted after the election in No
vember.
Black Hills mining men, on their
way home from the Huron convention,
In disclosing the mining situation, were
confident that the gold production OF
the Black Hills this rear would beat
all previous records for that section.
All the mines are being operated to
as full capacity as possible, and a
number of new enterprises, which
have been in the prospective stage, are
now becoming producers, and will
help to increase the output. The out
look for that section this year is most
encouraging in every way.
The indians on Cheyenne River res
ervation ware notified that it was not
necessary to send a special agent to
look over the situation before taking
action toward opening a portion Of
their reservation, and a strong party
at once left for Washington to present
their side of the case before final ac-
ton Is taken by congress-. They will
oppose the opening of the reserve, but
are willing to give up the Schnasse
county section In the northwest corner
of the reserve.
The citation of the opinion Of Attor-
ney General Pyle in regard to the
power of school boards to make o
tracts beyond the terms of the indi-
vidual officers forming such a board,
has called a swarm of inquiries di-
rected at Attorney General Clark, as
to just what his holding is under the
present condition in South Dakota
where most of the school boards are
cut off in their entirety by the pros
visions of the last school law.
Gov. Crawford appointed A. A. Cot
ton, of yermillion, a membe of the
| state board of dental examiners; DR..
FL. E. Bright, of White Lake, a mem
Der Of the state board of medical ex-
aminers; and Frank G.. Hoffman, of
PIERRE, assistant engineer, this APP
pointment to fill acancy caused by the
resignation of Leroy Leach.
The Old Mans Experience.
"He's the boy after your own heart,