The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-01-20
EGAn'S POLITICAL ADDRESS

GUAM . fUlu ICAl AUDktSS
Sioux Falls Candidate Opened His
Campaign in Mitchell for Nom
ination for Governor.
When George w. Egan gave his
first political address in this city Fri
day evening, he was greeted with an
audience of such proportions that
ought to and did make the gentle
man feel that the people desired to
hear him present his views and his
reasons why he was a candidate for
the nomination Tor governor of this
state before the republican primary
in June. The Gale theatre was fill
ed and the audience was particularly
enthusiastic during certain portions
of the address.
Previous to the speech Koolish's
orchestra played a number Of selec-
tions, and when the curtain was
raised and the speaker appeared on
the stage little Rose Lyons appeared
from the wings and presented MI.
Egan with a beautiful boQuet of
flowers, from Mr.. and Mrs. James
Lyons.
Some young men from the univer-
sity worked off a song which applied
to the possible defeat of Mr.. Egan
in his aspirations. and during the
course Of his speech he paid p~articu-
lar attention to the young men
the songsters In the trees. as he re-
ferred to them.
Without being introduced to the
audience by any local admirer. Mr..
Egan started with q long presenta-
ton of the Kaufman murder trial
and his association with 1t. and how
since that time he had been disbarred
and was now making q fight for his
life. Mr.. Egan has flaming oratory
and dramatic action all at his COM
mand End he used them with fine eff
feet throughout his speech. He was ap
plauded many times. After covering
the Kaufman case pretty thoroughly
he referred to his candidacy and
what he stood for.
Mr.. Egan said in part:
II am in favor Of: The recall; a
n~on-partisan judiciary; a graduated
income tax; political parties and par
ty organization; the recommendation
of postmasters by the ballots of the
patrons of the Office; the election Of
the United States Senators by a di-
rect vote of the people; the applica-
ton of the civil service law to all
appointees in the charitable, penal
and educational institutions Of this
state; the appointment OF all men
to office with a sole view to their
peculiar qualifications to serve the
people; the election of the members
of the board of charities and correc-
lions, the board of regents and the
warden Of the penitentiary by a di-
rect vote of the people; the consti-
tuition of a civil service board COM
posed of the members of the board
of charities and corrections and the
board of regents to pass on the quail
fications of all appointees to posi-
tons under these boards in accord
ance with the civil service law; the
repeal of the law providing for the
publication of insurance statements.
81 am opposed to the spoils sys-
tom; the rule of political rings and
combinations; the domination Of TINS
state or the United States by machine
politics; the extravaganza incurred
by umerou unnecessary Offices in
this state; Cannon and Cannonism,
Aldrich and Aldrichism; all those
factors and elements in the politics
of this state and the general gov
eminent which prevent a govern
ment Of the people, for the people
and by the people.
THE first great duty to be per-
formed by the people Of this state
is to divorce. by proper legislation,
the power Of naming a great body
Of about seven hundred Office hold
.ers. from the governor, the members
of congress. and the United States
Senators.
'In other words I hold that the
greatest question before the people
Of South Dakota is. how to destroy
that great political machine COM
posed of seven hundred appointive
officers and it's legitimate offspring,
known to political science as the
spoils system.
"As long as those officials in this
state have the power to name this