Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-01-14

the unequalled prosperity Of the people
and the high place South Dakota has
attained in the ssterhood of states. He
invites the careful attention of the
members of the legislature to the rec
concentrations contained in the mes
sage of the retiring governor.
Continuing he says:
1t is your duty, as legislature large
ly Republican, to carry into effective
legislation every principle advocated
in our party platform. and faithfully to
fulfill every promise that the Republic
an party has made to the people Of the
state.
There will come before the present
legislature many problems to solve that
are not, party issues, but which will
be for the best interests of the citizen-
ship Of the state. trust all such
sideration and support of all the MEM
bers of both branches Of this legis-
lature. - ''it
The affairs of our penal and char
table institutions have been ably and
honestly administered. The money ex-
pended in enlarging and improving
them has been utilized to the fullest
extent, and with the best possible re-
suits. With our advance along all lines
of modern thought and clearer APP
probation of the brotherhood OF man.
reformative purpose in dealing with
nave come, of necessity, new ideas as
to our treatment Of those whom cir
cumstances have brought under the
discipline Of our penal laws. The old
punitive idea has been largely out
grown and in its place has come the
this class. Our laws are adapted to
the old conditions and do not give suf-
fcient opportunity for the exercise Of
the best influences in this direction. I
recommend that you give careful at
tention to the subject of the indeter-
inmate sentence, and the use Of parole
In dealing with our convicted criminals,
for the purpose OF adapting their use
fully to our laws and the present con-
dition of the state penal institutions.
The governor says that the free and
liberal support of our educational in
stitutions is the highest duty Of patri-
otism, and urges a continuance Of the
wise and liberal policies of the past,
careful outstanding of their endowment,
and ample provision for their growing
demands.
The need of careful economy in the
administration of state affairs is
pointed out and the retiring governors
recommendations in this connection are
indorSed
The governor recommends the enact
ment of a law providing for the desig-
nation of repositories of state funds
and the payment to the state of inter-
positories. The regulations governing
such repositories should be uniform
and open on equal terms to all the
banks of the state, and no bank out
side of the state should be eligible to
selection. The funds should be scat
tered among as large number of
banks as is compatible with their
safety and the efficient administration
of the treasurer's office. They should
further be carefully safeguarded so
as to make 1t impossible that these de-
posts should be directed by personal
influence or political favor.
There is strong public demand for
the insurance Of greater safety for
bank deposits. The people are calling
for some action to protect them in this
respect. Our party platform declares
in favor of the insurance of bank de-
posits in case of the establishment OF
postal savings banks. I believe that
a wise measure should be framed by
which It will be made possible that all
bank depositors shall be assured
against loss.
Our laws should be amended so that
no bank may be allowed to incorporate
with less than $4,000 capital. No
bank should be allowed to invest in it's
building and furniture more than 40
per cent Of it's capital and surplus. The
amount of money bank may loan to
its own officers should be reduced and
carefully restricted; If, indeed. such
loans should not be wholly prohibited.
The primary election law, which had
it's first test in the past year. has
proved a success and has the approval
of the people. Experience, however
has shown the possibility Of some i'm
provement in its details. 1t should
be revised with view of eliminating
as far rs possible whatever Of UNI
necessary expense is connected with
It,
The office of immigration commits
sioner. created by the last legislature,
has done much good and its creation
has been amply justified This office,
however, has tco much wcrk placed
upon it: 1t should be department
by itself. and the work of the secre-
tary OF the board Of agriculture
should be separated from it. There
Is a large field Of usefulness for this
office as yet untitled, and every adj
vantage should be given to it to fulfill
Its appointed work. For years we
have done nothing to advertise to the
landseekers Of the East the splendid
opportunities that lie within our Dor
ders. The use Of proper advertising
In showing these conditions to the
buyers and investors Of the East will
add millions of dollars to the value of
the lands and mines of the state, in
crease the revenue derived from taxes
upon them, and abundantly justify the
expenditure made to advertise them.
One of the best forces for advertise
ment of our resources has been in the
state fair at Huron. This has grown
by leaps and bounds. Last year was
the most successful in its history. AM
pie provision should be made for it's
support.
The farmers institutes held through
out the state have been very ably con-
Quoted and the source of much good.
recommend that the appropriation for
the institute be somewhat increased
and every measure used which will in
crease their influence.
The rapid development to the coun-
try and the fencing of hitherto open
tracts have recently given vital impor-
lance, especially to our farming popu-
lation, to the question Of good roads
Under our present system the respon-
sibility is divided and the general char
acter of the work done upon the roads
so inefficient that change seems i'm
perative. recommend that road taxes
be required to be paid in cash; that
the office of township road supervisor
be abolished. and the office of county
road supervisor created. This officer
should be appointed by the board of