Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-04-30
Judge Alkens Tells Of his Pitlful
Record In Legislature at
Bismarck
HOW He WOBBLED BOTH WAYS
statements Made From Cold Records
That Every Voter In State
Should Read

To the Argus-Leader: Much has
been said on the Part of the stall
warts with referen ee to the attitude
OF Governor Crawford with regard to
the Gross-Earnings law when he was
a member of the territorial council
In 1889. The whole case. however,
has not been laid before the people
and that they may understand it and
nave a better idea of the character
OF the candidate for United States
senator | have concluded to give
more in detail the facts connected
with the measure.
One OF the strangesr things hap
pening in connection with this law
Is the, fact that ON the very day that
The Council unanimously passed
Council Bill No. 2, which repealed
the fgross-earnings law. Mr.. Walsh of
sSrth Dakota, recognized as being
Identified with the railway interests
II that section of the territory. intro
duced Council Bill No. 140. which
was in effect the re-enactment of the
law that he voted to repeal (Coun-
III Journal p. 14D. In saying this
Go not wish to be understood as in
umating that Mr.. Crawford had any
thing to do with its introduction.
This bill was read the second time
and referred to the committee on
railroads on the 25th day of January,
1889 Council Journal p. 1907 it lay
In the committee until the 4th day
OF March when it was reported with
the recommendation that it do not
pass Council Journal p. 500. On the
same day the bill was read the third
time when Mr.. Erickson of Union
ton of Council Bill No. lao be indefi-
nicely postponed" Council Journal
p. IT'D. The contest on this bill was
80 spirited that a call of the house
was demanded Council Journal D.
712). When vote was taken upon
the motion of Mr.. Erickson it re-
suited in it's being lost 8 to 16, Mr..
Crawford voting with the majority
(Council Journal p. 712-13). This in
dicated a wavering attitude. Mr.
Erickson then moved that the re-
port of the committee on railroads
De adopted. Mr.. Hughes, (the at
torney for the Northern Pacific)
ton of the gentleman from Union
that the report OF the committee on
railroads be not adopted" The vote
on this substitute motion resulted in
its being adopted IL to 8, Mr.. Craw-
ford voting in the affirmative. (Coun-
Gil Journal p. 713). This action in
Dictated that Mr.. Crawford was a
doubtful proposition. Mr.. Hughes
which was carried. Mr.. Pointdexter
offered another which was adopted
Council Juornal p. 71D. Mr..
Hughes then offered an amendment
which. struck out certain portions of
the Nb1j which was adopted. The
couHcy then took recess until 8
p. m. TCouncil Journal p. 715).
In the evening Mr.. Crawford offer
fered an amendment which was
adopted Council Journal D. 71S). Mr..
fered an amendment which was ad-
opted Council Journal p. 718). Mr..
Crawford then moved another amend
ment which was adopted. Mr.. Err
ickson then undertook to amend the
act by increasing the percentum of
the gLeSs-earning to be paid. This
motio1 inquired a direct vote upon
the 4easiNe and Mr.. Erickson's am
endment was lost to 10, Mr.. CraW-
ford voting with him. which indicat-
ed that at that time he was inclined
to be friendly to the people Council
Journal p. 719O. Mr.. Mcdonald, up
other amendment which was lost
Council Journal p. 719. Mr.. Dol
lard then offered the following amend
ment which proved conclusively
that he was opposed to the vicious
measure nnder consideration. to-wit:
provided that nothing contained in
the provisions of this act shall be
the lands OF any railroad corporation
outside of the right of way and not
used In the ordinary business OF
railroads." This proposed amend
ment brought on another test and 1t
was lost s to 10. II is to be noted
that Mr.. Crowford voted with Major
DclIard at this time and the indica-
tions were that he was stll with the
people Council Journal p. 720. Mr..
Cooper then made a motion which
was lost. Then Major Dollard moved
to strike out the enacting clause and
to insert an act which would subject
the property of railroads and espe-
them, to the same mode OF assess
ment and taxation as lands belong
ing to individuals Council Journal p.
720-26). Mr.. Hughes moved to lay
this equitable amendment on the
table. At this juncture Mr.. Poindex-
ter undertook to have the Council
adjourn but his. motion was lost;
Council Journal p. 1860. The call
of the house was them demanded; 10
members were present. 1t not look
ing we'll for Mr. Hughes and the Nor
thern Pacific he moved that the
council adjourn. The motion was
lost. Mr.. Erickson then moved that
ali persons paired refrain from vot-
ing and Mr.. Hughes then moved to
Law the motion on the table. which
was carried by. a vote OF 10 to z.
friends OF the people, which Ind.cat-
ca that he was still true. Council
Journal p. 1877. Mr.. Hughes then
moved that the council adjourn
which was lost. He then moved TO
-.ooco AIT vnfnutog which