davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-08-29
Chicago Wheat Market.

Chicago. Aug. 2a-Wheat: Sep
tember. o4%s; December, "a
May, 9Skc.
Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-08-29

Maskette Wins ruturitv.
Sheepshead Bay. Aug. 2s.-The
Futurity, valued at $4,000, was
won by Maskette. the Keene entry.
Sir Martin second, Helmet third.
Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-08-29
Netherlands Ask Aid of France.

Paris, Aug 29.-The Netherlands
has asked France to CO.
operate with them in the present
difficulties with Venezuela. France
is considering the matter.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
LOOKING FOR HIS REWARD

Surprising a ma should for Years secrete taxable property for the
purpose of evading bis duty to contribute his just proportion of taxes
and then he should dispose of the same property and all at once be
come a crusader against those guilty of the same misconduct he had
been practicing for years. what would ne say as to his sincerity? Is
this not a parallel condition with that Of the governors? WHY WAS
he dishonest with the people from the spring of 1897 to the spring Of
1904? Because he wa paid for it. What reward does he demand for
his change OF heart after dSpolng of his paymaSter? First: the
governorship: second the senatorship. Always what he does is for a
selfish consideration. He was willing to work in harmony with the
system as long as he "a recognized as one of the pie dispensers. as
long rs HIS railroad company received a benefit; he was for years a
evident purpose of satisfying his personal ambition he turns state 5
evidence and testifes against his Oconspirators. He helps to
create-he feeds-he grOomS the octopus until it becomes, q
menace to the state and then for a selfish consideration
repents, and attacks it. What forG To purify conditions bv
placing new men in charge of affairs. men who have clean records
men who have stood the brunt of the hurts and the wounds of the
fierce animal he has been stablng and feeding and currying? No. It
In his campaign of 1904 he was the whole thing-the only one
He worked in harmony with no man; he had no ticket save that of
Crawford for governor" He had convinced himself that single
handed he could meet the giant and sly him, thus earning the undiyid-
ed credit Of annihlating the forces that gave him his prominence and
made him all the reputation he ever possessed. His ingratitude was SC
titanic that it reached subimity. He ignored his departed friend
Sterling; he turned against his bosom friend, A. C. johnson: he SLAM
dered and viifed his friend Kttredge; he ignored his friend Gamble.
He scores the opponents OF the primary election petition of 1905 as
traitors. unfit to be recognized, and yet he makes a compact with Sena-
tor Gamble. whose opposition was most marked, and supports him for
re election in consideration for the returned assistance of Gamble and
his friends; he joins forces with Wagner who is rewarded with the
district attorneyship; he makes peace with Branson who is expecting
to get something sometime. Who fought Senator Rice the hardest in
the senate in 1905 when he made his manly fight for the primary
petition? Senators Wagner and Branson. Who opposed the measure
in the house? Gamble S partner, John Holman, who championed the
honest caucus law, the Gamble substitute for the primory. Why these
compacts with the enemies of the masses? Is this craftsmanship or is il
cheap poiticsf Is it to further the interests Of the downtrodden
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
BROKE FAITH WITH CONSTITUENTS

First: We charge that at Harold in the Territory of Dakota ON
the 4h day Of October. A. ID. 1888, there was held the Eleventh l"gls-
tatiye District Convention. called and convened for the purpose of nom
mating a member of the Territorial Council and two members of the
Territorial House of Representatives for the Eighteenth and last Legls-
htive Assembly of the Territory Of Dakota. appointed by law to con
vene at Bismarck. the capital. on the Sth day of January, a. ID. 1889,
and to continue for sixty days: that Ce l. Crawford was at the time
and place aforesaid present: that said convention so assembled duly
selected a committee on resolutions. consisting of W. |. Wellman of
Hughes county, w. T. Pidge of Hyde county and J. b. Gleason of
Suly county: that said committee reported, among others, the follow
ing to the convention which were adopted without debate:
a. "RESoLVED. THAT WE FAVOR SUCH LEGISLATION BY THE TER
RITORIAL LEGISLATURE As WILL GIVE THE PEOPLE RELIEF FROM
MONOPOIISTIC RAILROAD AND OTHER CORPORATIONS"
o. "RESOINED. THAT WE FAVOR 4 STRINGENT NSURY LAW
() "RESOLNED THAT ALL CLASSES OF PROPERTY IN THE TER
RITORY SHOULD BEAR EQUAL SHARE OF TANATlON'
That COe | Crawford of Hughes county was placed in nonina-
ton for member of the council before said convention by EXJulge
Ioring f. Gafy: that his nomination was seconded by A. \. Van
Camp of Hyde county and II. LounSberry of Suly county and that
he was unanimously nominated by accamation: that he appeared be
fore the convention after his nomination and made a 'stirring speech
in which he pledged himself to support. to the best of his ability, the
platform o resolutions adopted by the convention: that he was. at
the ensuing general election. duly elected as a member of the Terri
torial Council aforesaid and that he qualified as such at Bismarck on
the Sh day of January, A. ID. 1889.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
AN INDICTMENT
OF C0E |. CRAWFORD
SOME FACTS CONCERNING THE RECORD
OF CRAWFORD AS A LEGISLATOR,
ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
RAILROAD ATTORNEY.

To the voters of South Dakota, Greeting:
Governor Crawford IS seeking an election to the United States Sen
ate upon the plea that he is the only one to be entrusted with the com
mission of rescuing the state and nation from the domination OF a sys-
tenn opposed to the best interests OF the common people. HIS advent
as a reformer is Of comparatively recent date. According to us own
statement he resigned an nnholy job on or about April LIST, in the year
1904. and became a desirable citizen and an avOwed candidate for Gov
ernor His first venture was unsuccessful. In 1906, by mere chance, made
possible by inertia and ignorance of his record, his ambition was realized.
1t is stated that he only accepted his present position a a stepping
stone to the senate. Whether he Sc regarded it or not he is now at
tempting to secure a n endorsement for that high office and he risks
his fate upon his record IS governor.
In making out his case he puts up the bar of limitations. He dates
everything from April Goth, 1897. He asks the people to keep that day
in mind and not to 90 back to it: all before that sol tlawed. That
anniversary marks the beginning Of an era of crookedness. Why9 Mr..
Crawford complains that on that day a secret compact was entered into
between Mark Hanna. Senator Kittredge and A. c. johnson for the
control of the federal patronage Of this state. Before this Mr.. Craw-
ford was a member of the cabinet that controlled the same patronage.
He says he thought he was still in for some considerable time sub
seduent to the date last named but he VA not. Had he been retain
ed as one of the referees he would doubtless have continued blind to
the iniquny surrounding him. Anyway, the situation in South Da-
kNa became very bad when this secret compact was entered into which
must have had the sanction and approval of President Mckinley.
In asking the people to examine the Journals of the House and Sen
ate of South Dakota he calls attention to those of 1899, 1901. 1903
and 1908. He charges that Senator klttredge controlled each one of
these legislatures; that the members o + IA majority of them-were
voted by him as would control a gang of convlctS-a very serious
charge to make. 1t should be more specific. A coward only resorts
to ghttering generalties when accusing another of wrong doing. Why
does he do it?
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09

people or is it to give to the self admitted old time enemy Of good
government a boosts The voters should think for themselves when a
change is demanded. The pot will blacken your hands just as effec'
lively as the kettle.
1t is an axiom as true as any Of the sayings of Solomon that an
open enemy is to be preferred to a secret foe. Grant, only o the
sake of argument. that Senator kntredge has been as great a boss
as the governor charges. Has he ever msled the peopeY Starr with
a a poor lawyer struggling for recognition and existence when he
struck the territory of Dakota and follow his record in the state legis-
lature and in the United States senate, down to the present time, ana
cite an instance where he has broken a pledge that he has made to his
constituents: point to a fact that proves him unworthy of confidence,
We challenge his opponents to the task. Wholesale generahtles are
not far; conclusions of an antagonist are not facts: gel o
instances: cut out suspicious and insinuatons; be exact and fHr and
specific when charges affecting a mar s character are made. Surh
is the only honorable. manly course to pursue. The people care less
who gets office than they do for. the conduct of the men who represent
them when in office.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST H FARMER

Just as soon as a farmer bought or contracted, ven though the
title did not pass. he must pay taxes.
In the session of 1888. Honest Abe Van Osdel, then a member
of the house. introduced House Bill ls2, a bill for al act amending
the law 20 as to require the railroads to pay taxes OF their land the
same as ordinary persons, tO-wlt: on Its assessed valuation. ms
measure was defeated and it gave rise to general discussion all over
the Territory and was a most potent factor IN creating the Farmers
Alliance. Tx Senator Pctigrew and John r. Gamble, deceased, mem
bers of the san council, also worked hard to repeal the law by an
act pending in that body.
In 1887 a bill to repeal the law was for fftyseven days in the
House and passed that body to meet the fate of being distracted on its
way to the Council.
In 1889, a bill to repeal the law was again introduced in the
council, the merits of which we're argued pro and con and Coe l.
Crawford was a participant al well as listener and he and every member
voted for it. When it came to the house the next day it was again
discussed and there. under suspension Of the rules, passed by a like
wise unanimous vote. And yet Ce l. Crawford was ignorant of the
temper of his constituents. We refer the accused to the files OF the
Bismarck Daily Tribune furnished him during the session.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
AS A RAILROAD ATTORNEY

In March, 1897. Governor Crawford was about to move from
Pierre to the Black Hills; his goods were packed, when he received a
telegram to 60 into Chicago and meet the general counsel Of the
Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company. He had rendered that
corporation most valuable service. When attorney general in 1893 /,
as a member of the State Board of Assessment and Equalization, he
had been kind to it. In fact the records will disclose that he only be-
came interested when the matter of railway assessments was before
the board and that then he was the on who moved in almost every in
stance for the Northwestern and left it to some other member to look
after the others. The late Mr. Sterling. whose memory is now black
ened by the lnsurgent press. recognizing his services to the North
western, endorsed HIM for the position and he was appointed as its
counsel for the State with headquarters at Huron. He accepted the
position and became It's acknowledged representative in the legal and
political field. although in the latter he was aided by Messrs Johnson
and Hoover whose ability along the lines required was supposed to
be equal to his. Before the State Board of Equalization. however. he
was considered, on account of his experience as an eXmember. IA past
master. During the incumbency Of his successor. Attorney General
Grlgby, he did valiant service. The governor lobbying propensities
were displayed then with great brnliancy. 1t "a a fight between
Governor Lee and Auditor Mayhem as to who should get the record
III raising the railway assessments. One would make a bid and the
other would raise him. Crawford was not asking to have his employer
pay It's share then: he was not sohctious for the people. he cared moth
ing for great values at terminal points: he W a serving his master. He
was evading taxation then although he knew it was wrong.
Can a man do wrong for money and still be a Just and true man
From the governor s present standpoint the question must be answer
ed n the affirmative. From the people point of view how is it to be an
sweIed?
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
DOUBLE DAMAGE LIABILITY

Let us take up the third count Of this indictment. In his sneech
made at Oacoma in this campaign the governor said:
"You take the Session Laws of 1899, 1901, 1903, 1905, covering that period
of ten years, pick them up, mmence att he first page and turn ppe bv paoe
to the index nd if You car show ne a single law passed n that ten years
against railway or public service corporations, if yOu IA find IN e me. 7 win
resign as Governor of South Dakota, and I will withdraw as a candidate fo,
United States Senator. You an find it-not ne single law in hat ne,od
of ten years, not one was passed that val in any va restrictive OIL recuIru
of public service corporation.
You say you ddnt need anyf For twenty years in the state of lows 70 !.
railway locomotive ran over your cow, our horse, your sheen or Won Mo
and killed it,, ad YOU put in claim End payment was lot settled With To- S
within sixty days, and compelled you to go and hire a lawyer and get Won vn.
,ncsses ad go intoco court and prove our cause and nut you ito N that trorh.
and expense in establishing your claim, an you ecovered yu could reeov.
double damages, as penalty Tor your vcxatious delay otherwise thew oId 60.
YOU out, take you to the supreme COURT keep you in cour so long you would say
had betterl lose the price of a cow hore or live stock, They had . rmIt
to recover double damages OF account Of delay. Any law in South Dakosa
like thAf No. Bill introduced for that purposef Yes, but refered n :. 80.
mttee that worked in the interest OF the railways AND stacked In pigeon aoIeu
never taken GU to be voted on. 49,
IN MINNESOTA OR IOWA, DURING THOSE YEARS, IF A SPARK FROM
A LOCOMOTIVE FLEW INTO YOUR MEADOW AND BURNED YOUR HA7
OR YOUR BUILDINGS AND YOU PUT IN A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AND
THEY TRY THE SAME TACTICS YOU WENT INTO SUIT Ann Ea
TABLIsHED YOUR CLAIM, YOU COUID THEN RECOVER DOUBLE DAN
AGES. ANY SUCH LAW IN SOUTH DAKOTAs OH. NO. Oh. NO BILLS
INTRODUCED FOR SUCH LAw' YES. WHAT BECAME OF THEMs KII4
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
DISCRIMINATION IN FAVOR OF RAILROADS

What did the grossearnings law mean? 1t meant that each alternate
section of land for nearly forty miles in width across nearly all Of the
Territory of Dakota. amounting in area to the size OF a considerable
number of the states of the Union. should be absolutely exempt from
taxation SO long as it was owned by the Northern Pacific. 1t did not
affect the Milwaukee or Northwestern systems. It's repeal would not
rctard the building of a mile of railway except possibly by the North
ern Pacific. 1t was operative at "A time when the farmers had to have
relief by the passage of laws extending the time of the payment of their
taxes; at a time when aid had to be furnished them to buy their seed
grain; at a time when the hungry wolf of poverty was bowling at the
door of almost every farm house shack and dug out in the land; at
| "A time when aims boxes for the relief of Dakota farmers were con-
|spicuously nailed in public places in eastern cities; at a time of all
times when honest, humane and respectable Legislative representatives
should have sought to lessen instead of increase their burdens by
discriminating in favor of a corporation that had received from the
hands of the general government such a munifcent grant of rich and
productive soil. Senator kttredge was not there to vote but in 1885
the then political friend of the Senator Ex-senator Pettigrew) charged
as he is with having been a boss, "a there and he fought like a tiger
against such a diabolcal outrage.
We charge that the man whose ca was deaf to the cry of the poverty
stricken but was keeny open to the siren song of the Northern Pacific
in 1889 was guilty of bad faith to the constituency represented in that
little school house in Harold on the 4h day of October, A. d., 1888,
and W e arraign him before those who were then struggling to save
their homes and before their children, now grown up, and let them de-
eide dSpasSonately whether or not he should be honOred with further
political prcfernent or made to subsist upon the mess Of pottage he ac
cepted when he dispensed with his obligations to them and arrayed him
self against them on the side Of corporate greed. Let experience, the
least faIliblc of human opinions, be appealed to by South DakOtans in
deciding all these matters.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
THE SOLDIERS HOME BILL

Sixth: We charge the said Coe. l. Crawford with bad faith to the
entire old soldiery of Dakota in voting against House Bill 80, "A bill
for Al act to establish and maintain a Soldiers Home in the Territory
Of Dakota. y etc. The proceedings on this bill will be found on pages
45054 Of the Council journal Of 1889.
Pierre, Crawfords home at that time. was a candidate for the To-
cation of the home and he had introduced a bill for that purpose.
February 18th, the date for final action on the Hot Springs bill "a. B.
39). Crawford moved THAT he be permitted to withdraw the bill in
troduced by him for the location of a Soldiers Home at Pierre and the
offer of the citizens of Pierre donating certain property for that pur-
pose p. 451). This action removed his home town from the contest.
ON THE VOTE AS TO THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL CRAWFORD
VOTED no opp $3.50.
The bill came mp again on the 9th Of February n the question
as to whether the veto of a carpet bag democratic governor should be
sustained. The house Judiciary committee had made a ringing report
and the House had overriddcn the veto. Crawford did not have the
nerve to face the issue and voted with his party. This was the second
veto by the same governor. he having nulifed the affirmative action
of the Legislature of 1887 and in that action, he was, in the first instance,
supported by Crawford.
What do the old soldiers think of it? Crawford acknowledged the
necessity of a Soldiers Home by introducing a bill locating one at
Pierre. He withdrew that bill; it wa out Of the way; he was under no
further obligations to Pierre. Why did he vote a he did, Was it
because he was pqned at the failure of his measured If it was he is
a narrow statesman. If he was right in his vote Of February 18th, why
did he vote differently on February 9th? Was it because it was more
popular to do so? If SO. he is a dangerous statesman. Or was it then
a habit If CWe l. Crawford had had his way the old soldiers would
have had no home and the government would not now be spending
hundreds of thousands of dollars for their health and comfort at Hot
Springs.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09

Third We further charge that said CUe l. Crawford was guilty
of bad faith to his constituents in ignoring and diSobcying the first
resolution herein quoted when he voted against House Bill "A. being
"a BILL FOR AN ACT Filming THE LIABILITY or RAILROAD
CORPORATIONS FOR SETTING FIRES We further charge
the said Crawford not only with voting against this bill but with the
still graver o1enSe Of moving It's indefinite postponemcnt. The record
of this is found on page 500 of the Council Journal under date of March
8. 1885. The vote by which this bill (Which is now a law, Chap. 2l5.
Laws Of 1000 was defeated. WAS u to {.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
FAVORED GROSS, EARNINGS BILL

Fourth: We further charge that said Coe J. Crawford was guilty
of bad faith to his constituents in Ignoring and diSoheying he third
resolution above quoted. by voting for Council Bill 140 which was a
re-enactment of the law repealed by Council Bill No > passed and APP
proved by Inc same legislature. known as 'thp gross earnings law. -
especially after he had voted for the repeal Of the same law, The
record of his first vote is found on pages 14l2 of the Council journal
and that OF the last on pages 16O6l of the same volume. The first
vote was January oath. 1850: the last March 9Th. 1Ss9.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
INDICTMENT OF CoE I. CRAWFORD

We indict the governor and in the information we shall lodge
against him we will make the charges SO plain that they may be denied
and dnSprOved if untrue: we will fix the time. the place. the clrcun-
stance in each count or cite or authority by book and page and ask
YOU to give to the subjects treated hat Sedate and candid conSldcra-
ton which their magnitude and Importance demand and which they
Iouobt n ,acni,o
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
THE GROSS EARNINGS LAW

For the edifcation of the accused and the voters, W will copy
herein some provisions of the gross-earnings law Chap. 80, Laws of
1889.
''Sec. 1. PERCENTAGE OF GROSS EARNINGS TO BE PAID IN LIEU OF
OTHER TAXES. In lieu of n ad all other taxes uon n railroads ex
cept railroad. operated by horsepower, within this Territory, or upon the
ery situated in this Territory, belonging to>the corporation owning or oer
atng such railroads, or upon the capital stock or business transaction Of
such railroad company, there shall hereafter be paid into the treasury of this
Territory, a percentage Of all the gross earnings Of the CORPORATION owning oil
operating sh railroad, arising from the operation Of such 'airoad as shall b.
Every such railroad corporation or person operating a railroad in this Ter
rhory shall pay to said Treasurer each year or the first FIVE year afhr said
railroad shall be or shall have been operated in whole or in art, two () Del
centum If such gross earnngs; and for and in each and every ear afer the
expiration of the said FIVE years three t3) per centum of the said gross earn
ings; and the payment OF such per centum annually al aforesaid, shall be and
is in full If all taxation and assessments whatever. DO the property afore
Nd. The said payments shall be made onehaf (k) on or before the ff
tenth day of February, and onc-haf ~ On or about the fifteenth day OF
August, in each year and for the purpose of ascertainng the gross earnings
aforesaid, an accurate account of such earnings shall be kept by said COZ
pany; a. abstract whereof shall be furnished by said company to the areas
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-04-09
HIS EXPLANATION" OF HIS VOTE

Fifth: We further charge that said Coe l. Crawford was guilty
Of bad faith to his constituents in using the following language in ex-
PLANTATION of his vote last referred to:
81 NOW VOTE FOR THIS BILL ON THE GROUND THAT
SINCE VOTING BEFORE HAVE RECEIVED a COMMrNICA-
TION FROM PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT REQUESTING THAT l
VOTE FOR THIS BILL. THAT FEATURE OF THE Bill. RE
LATING TO THE EXEMPTING OF ALL THE LANDS OF
ANY RAILROAD COMPANY. PAYING UNDER THE GROSS
EARNINGS SYSTEM. FROM TAXATION Is AGAINST MY JUDO
MENT, BUT I DO NOT DESIRE TO SET Up MY JUDGMENT
AGAINST THE ONLY EXPRESSION l HAVE FROM MY DIS
TRICT ON THIS SUBJECT"
The bad faith is apparent from the nature of the law and its re-
lationship to the resolution adopted at Harold.