The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-07-07
WHAT CONSERVATION
MEANS TO THE STATE
WILL HELP EVERY POSSIBLE
PHASE OF MODERN life AND
PROSPERITY IN SOUTH
DAKOTA.

Pierre, 8. D.-The conservation
congress which held its first session;
here Is the consumation OF the ides
preaching to the people OF the STATE
which Governor vessey has beer
for the past two years. The congress!
was practically an official state affair
having been called regardless of pc
litics. and the governor as the chic
executive of the state, with oficia'
credentials to the accredited dele
gates who took a part. That the peos
pie we're ready for such a call I.
shown in the fact that every county
was represented, most Of them Will
strong delegations. only two Of the
counties getting down in numbers te
a single delegation. The representa-.
ton a from the leading ME and
women of all professions In the state,
and that they would leave their bus.
mess in the store, the Office and the
farm for practically a week OF, was
an indication Of the real interest in
this issue which Is becoming one OF
the leading ones before not only the
people Of the nation, but for every
state, and county at the present
time.
Practically every phase of modern
life and prosperity so far as South
Dakota is concerned was represented
In the papers which were read or the
speeches made. The questions pre-
sented covered the soil, the water,
the ores, the minerals, the grains,
and grasses; the live stock, the high
ways. the manufacturers, the schools,
and last, but not least interesting to
the delegates, the young people Of
the state themselves, all Of which
were considered as At subjects for
consideration at such a convention.
And while all of these subjects were
discussed. through them all ran the
thread Of the results OF conservation
OF these products upon the soil it.
self. No matter upon what subject
the assignment vas made. before the
paper or lecture was closed, its bear
Ing upon the cultivation Of the soil,
the men who cultivate 1t was pre-
as n Of the potent reasons
why there should be conservation
along this particular line.
The solution proposed for the road
problem is that of abolishing the old
fashioned time work" and the pay
ment Of all road taxes in cash; the
cutting out OF the road district sys-
tenn, and the taking up of county SUI
under a competent engi-
neer; the division Of the expense Of
road maintenance between the ma
ton. interested in post roads; the
interested generally; and the
locally.
State control Of the artesian flow
8 demanded to stop the waste of wa
:er which is already shutting of the
low from wells in many parts Of the
state where a few years ago, high
pressure was easily to be secured.
The only proposition which APP
'eared to meet any opposition Of inn
'ort was that OF the creation OF an
immigration bureau for the state.
Several farmers thought that each in
lividual Of the state should be an i'm
bureau on a small scale
himself, and that would be enough.
without creating a new state depart
nent, but the convention by more
han two to one endorsed the reso-
ution. |
The educational development Of
he state received a large part of the !.
attention of those engaged in educa-
.ional work, and was touched upon
~ others who had taken up differ
~ AAAOo. 0OLuc VI lu6 In
'egard to the present plan Of common
schools were radical. They ranged
Ill the way from absolutely worth
ess. up along the scale to good as
ar as they go" but not getting any
where near the modern day needs.
The general complaint is that as soon
IS any attempt toward improvement
conditions in the public schools is
it fails on the rock OF
axes, the average man putting up
on that ground. About
he best talk on that proposition
came from Professor Bigelow, who
axes the position that application
II modern day business methods to
he management of the public schools
II the state would allow the addition
II the courses Of study which ap-