Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-07-22

Insurance Commissioner Bas-

1OrQ.
Deadwood Telegram: Its a busy
day when the Sioux Falls Argus-Lead-
ter forgets Insurance Commissioner
Basford. There is reaso to suspect
that it's editor has in its private office
a placard always in sight, "Remem-
Der Basford, and that it has about the
same effect on him as Remember the
Maine used to have on most Ameri-
can citizens.
The editor of the Argus-Leader has
never given to the public any explana-
tion Of his hostility to Mr.. Basford
that appeals to the average thinker
as worthy of confidence. He frequent
ly makes charges of favorism and in
competency, and ave hints at worse.
But ever If 1t were all true it would
hardly account for the intensity of his
feelings. A number of public officials
in this state have been exposed as
worse men than the Argus-Leader
would paint Mr.. Basford, without
thus arousing the Argus-Leader's
VlTGuOuS
Some think it is because Mr.. Bas-
ford has stricken from his list to re-
ceive business from his office the Ar
gus-Leader, while remembering nice
ly its competitor, the Sioux Falls
Press. But that ought not to cause
any such feeling. The Argus-Leader
has frequently made it plain to Mr..
Basford that it did not want any such
vicious patronage from his hands.
And it must be solaced by the thought
of the years gone when Kit ran the
whole works, and the Argus-Leader
reveled in insurance statements while
the Press got nothing. And there
were more to spare for it then than
ficials handling this business had no
foolish softness of heart. They never
made a mistake by assigning state
ments to opposition papers, except to
such democratic papers "a were with
them against the insurgents.
Another explanation of the deep
feeling of the editor of the Argus
Leader, is that he is aware that Mr..
Basford, as one of the original insur-
gents when they had to hide in upper
rooms, was a splendid organizer-and
that he is now ready at all times to
give to the cause freely of his money
ana talent, for which he is much es-
teemed by his associates.
But it must be that there are deep
er reasons than the foregoing. or the
virtuous motives alleged by the edi-
tor Of the Argus-Leader, and he will
not be satisfied with anything less
than total humiliation.
The warfare of the stalwart papers
on Mr.. Basford's administration is
wholly unwarranted. No charges
have been made and substantiated
that show anything but careful, con-
%scientious handling of the business of
his office. In view of the hostility of
some insurance companies and their
agents, it may have been to con-
sci%entiously for them. I%nnuendos
have been cast and exposure threat
ened, but non has ever come. Does
anyone believe that If the Argus
Leader has any such cards to play it
would not have done so long ago.
The well known fact that he has the
hostility Of some of the companies,
and they have not been able to bring
any charges against him that they
can sustain, is il itself a complete
vindication of Mr.. Basford's ability
and integrity.
From the Telegram's viewpoint,
Commissioner Basford has but one
serious failing. He dispenses a large
share OF the patronage Of his office to
stalwart papers. He should follow
the example set by his stalwart prede-
cessors, and give all to those who are
fighting as he fights. He should re-
member the scriptural injunction,
Cast not your pearls before swine,
lest they turn again and rend you.n
Not all stalwart papers are swine.
But a number of them who have re.
ceived patronage from Mr.. Basford's
office. and then attacked him because
it has not more, might be thus CLASH
fed In the political category. In JUS
tice to Mr.. Basford's judgment, it
should be said that this course is not
wholly approved by him and that the
censure, il any Is warranted, should
not fall on him alone.
Mr.. Basford has been a very COM
petent official, and has much i'm
proved the administration OF his Of
fice. Nor has there been any faint
attaching to it such as there was to a
former stalwart official who had the
handling of this business. He has the
confidence 0fhis progressive associate.
and it will take more than the I'm
supported assertions Of stalwart pa
| papers to change them.
, Mr.. and Mrs. Norman Luther anc