Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-01-05
Gentlemen of the Senate
House of Renresentatiyes

tablished custom, it is again my duty
and my pleasure to bring to your at
tention such matters Of public import
as l deem relevant and essential, and
communicate to you for your consider
alton such information as l have gain
ed through observation and experience
during the past two wears of my incum-
bency in the Office of Chief E1ecu.
tive.
We cannot but note that the Twelfth
Legislative Session convenes under ex-
aeptionally suspicious conditions, which
in cur splendid new State House for
the first time and our greetings to one
another may we'll seem to be of I'M
usual cheer and fellowship. The plain
and dignifed lines of our building, the
beauty of its architecture, the harmony
Of it's scheme of decoration and its
noble proportions are all expressive of
the sovereign position which South Da-
kota is fast assuming among her sister
states. If we but recall our last meet
ing held only two years ago, the change
in our surroundings is most striking
and impressive and we may congratu-
late ourselves that the construction of
the new Capitol proceeded with such
extraordinary rapidity that we now
have a building furnishing abundant
accommodation and ample facilities for
the exercise Of the functions Of gov
eminent and for the performance of
the business of the state in its var
ious departments.
Since your last session South Dakota
has advanced in material prosperity to
a degree that must elicit the surprise
s5ven OF those who had anticipated a
large and rapid growth. We find that
along all lines of industrial activity
there has been a steady and symmetri
cal increase as result of the enter
prise and thrift of our people. 1t is
worthy of note that an unusual inter
est has been manifested along all lines
off education and that a decided adj
vance has been made toward higher
civ ilization. Growth in population is
noticeable; in increased banking faclli-
ties; in the building of new lines of
railroad; in the settlement of a great
axpanse of open country; in the de-
velopment of our agricultural interests
along each and every one of these
lines South Dakota has made re-
markable record during the past two
years Our resources are practically
unlimited and to their development our
people shonld bend their energies
To you, the members of the legis,a-
-tnre as her law makers, and to me-,
the Governor, as the executive of those
laws, South Dakota has entrusted her
Interests for the ensuing two years.
Together, we are the servants of the
people, vested by law with a limited
authority to express and execute the
popular will. Further than this we
cannot go. The making of laws for a
great state, with its various interests
and its many-sded concerns, is grave
duty and one that involves serious re-
sponsihiities. and in our legislation
at becomes us TO remember that for the
time being the state has placed her
honor and fair name within our keeping
and that we should have the interests
Of the State in general at heart.
1t is the duty of each and every rep
resentative to express the needs of his
constituency but it IS as much his duty
TO take counsel with all his fellow rep
Fesentatives and thereby bri' g about
The greatest good to the gree iest num-
Der of the state IS people. This is i'm
perative. 1t is for the general good
that government is established, for the
preservation of onr society, for the Sc
curity of the individual and for the
protection of property, and not for the
benefit of select few.
Therefore, as has been said. let us in
our state legislation Ia hnr to promote
all the interests OF the state so far as
1t lies within our power to accomplish
that end The good which has been
done should be fostered and increased,
the mistakes, if there be any, should
be corrected and the new laws should
be, if possible, more simple, concise
and effective.
The reports of the various state of
ficers and boards, required by law TO
be made, viii be presented to you in
full; all of which have been compiled
with great care and abound with in.
formation for your guidance and by
carefully examining the same you will
find that the affairs of The state have
been conducted wisely and well.
urge upon you the advisability of a
detailed study of these reports and as
sure you that it is the desire of the
heads of the several departments that
She present manner OF c0nhuctln2 the
state business be carefully followed
and thoroughly understood
In the matter of appropriations |
feel that I would not be doing my full
duty did l not address to you word
of caution and advice. The will of the
legislature in regard to the enactment
of appropriation bills INTO Jaws should
not receive The opposition of the Gov
ernor unless the aggregate amounts an
propriated exceed reasonable limit.
The efficiency and progress of our in
stitutions should not be retarded by
lack of appropriation unless the neces-
sity is absolute, but | know OF no valid
reason why the affairs of state should
not be conducted as carefully and as
eonscientiously as those of a private
business or concern. and legislative
BODY which devotes its attention in
telligently to the scrutiny of state af-
fairs will undoubtedly receive the just
commentator of the people throughout
the state.
However. due consideration should