The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-01-27
RETIRING PRESIDENT OF FEDER-
ALTON OF COMMERCIAL CLUBS
REVIEWS WORK OF YEAR
SOUNDS B%USINESSSLOCAN
WANTS COMMISSIONER OF IMMI-
GRAFTON AND ADEQUATE
APPROPRIATION

mllleIL, PRESIDENT. az the annual meet
ing of the Federation of CONNER
cial Clubs at Presho: 81
After a most prosperous year. we
come together in this our fourth an
nual meeting of the Federation of
South Dakota Commercial Clubs. The
hand of Providence has blessed our
Sunshine State" beyond our fondest
dreams of a year ago, and we con-
graduate. ourselves upon having an
increased prosperity in view for the
year 1910. The citizens of South Da-
kota are making history more rapid
ly than they realize, and every year
that we can enjoy such prosperity as
we have had in the yea 1909. means
much for the future.
The soil OF South Dakota during
the past ear has produced, accord
ing to the estimates of Hon. Doan
Robinson, State Statistician, $202,-
1852, 600. 90. This is a per capita pro-
duction of $3S1.S0 on an estimated
population of $4,000, and Mr.. Rob-
inson maintains that our state has
produced more wealth from the soil.
per capita, each year for the past
twelve years, than any other State In
the Union. In addition to these won
derful blessings, the vital statistics
show that South Dakota is the
healthiest state in the Union, In fact.
the healthiest community on the
globe.
The state of society Is most excel-
lent. The various religious denomin-
atoms common to America are all
represented in South Dakota, and en-
joy the financial and moral support
of an enlightened Christian people.
Our State educational institutions are
among the best. They consist of a
University, Agricultural College.
School of Mines and four Industrial
Normal and Training Schools. Be
sides these, there are a goodly num-
Der of UNCONVENTIONAL colleges, uni
versities and ~parochial schools. The
Public School. system, composed of
High School and Common School
courses, ranks high in comparison
with the best in the land; and. sup
ported as It is by an endowment OF
more than $4,000, 100000 plus the
rentals from over 2,000,0 600 acres OF
the best land in the State, its high
est future prosperity is assured.
One of the first aims of u Fed
Grafton is to advertise and call the
attention of the public to the many
assets we already possess, and to the
excellent opportunities we have to OF
fer. The prospective investor, who
may turn his attention to our state.
will have in mind questions concern
ing some, If not all Of the above
conditions.
In order thu the facts may be pre-
sented 10 such interested persons, one
of the greatest needs Of our State is
an immigration Commissioner with
an appropriation sufficient to supply
the needed literature and maintain
an office. Information regarding ag-
ricultural, manufacturing, mining n
many other matters pertaining to this
great State, could then be reliably
furnished upon request. Such a Com
missioner should AVE sufficient means
at his command, under certain res
trictions, to nave our State repre-
scented at various fairs and expositlons
which are held year after year IN
various parts of the country. AT our
last annual meeting strong resolu-
tions calling on our legislators to en-
act such legislation, were adopted.
Notwithstanding this fact the de-
mand was ignored. l believe the
time has come when the business men
of the State should exercise a great
er influence in the selection n ell
ection of the members of u LeSls-
lature, to the end that needed leglsla-
ton will not be delayed while mem
bers of the Legislature play hide and
seek at politics to the disappointment
of their constituents. to the detrinent
of the State and TO the everlasting dis
credit of the members thus engaged.
The State Federation Of CONNER
cial Clubs is not a political organiza-
ton, but this fact should be empha-
sized and clearly understood that the
work of legislation is business and
should not be trihed with by individ
nal members of the Legislature for
the purpose of gaining personal or
local advantage to the detriment OF
the people of the State.
A State that produces nearly two
hundred millions annually from the
soil ought to be able to spend twenty
thousand dollars per annum to make
known to the world her wonderful re-
sources.
Through the generosity of the bust
ness men and the Commercial Club
of the City of Fort Pierre, n were
loaned the Federation in order TO
purchase a booster button" which
many of you have already seen. The
purpose o f putting out these buttons
to obtain a considerable sum of money
with which TO properly advertise
South Dakota during the year 1919
The button is question was designed
by a lady of Fort Pierre and was Sc
lected as a result of a prize competi-
ton in designs Twenty-Five thousand o.
these buttons have been purchased
and / believe they Will add mucn
toward calling attention to this state