Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-09-15
A BIT OF POLITICAL HISTORY
What Has Egan Done to Justify
the Treachery of Men
He Helped?

1t was in the year 1898 when the
political pot was boiling furiOuSly all
over the state that a brilliant young
orator named Egan, Of Sioux Falls,
jumped into the fray and became
candidate for states attorney in NJ in
nehaha county. He had just won
fame as prosecutor in a famous trial
for alleged murder, and convicted the
women in one Of the most sensation
al trials ever held in the state. lie
was applauded to the skies by those
who believed the woman guilty,
while the frien DIS Of the accused were
very bitter towards this brilliant
young man. He did his duty and no
more.
Sioux Falls was the home Of senator
Kittredge who was seeking q renomi-
nation as Stalwart
Egan entered the contest as a pro
gresSive and supporter Of NeSSey for
governor and Crawford for senator.
Egan ~ d e the most brilliant
campaign ever made in the state. He
devoted most of his time TO Mime
haha county, the most pOpulOuS in
the state, and the result Of his work
knocked the opposition dumb. The
majority for himself and the entire
progressive ticket in a county that
was conceded to Mr.. kittredge and
the StalwartS, was so great, so uncX-
ad 6appSiEn that .
Crawford and NeSSey to victory, de-
feating Mr.. Kittredgc for the senate
and Browne for governor, and his re-
ward for that great victory has been
silent as we'll open opposition by the
men he carried to victory as well as
some of the progressive leaders. Had
a normal stalwart vote been cast in
Minnehaha both Crawford and Nessey
who have been beaten, and no one
will deny that Egan'S matchless ora
tory won the day tor the progressive
ticket. This is little bit of history
that should be remembered when
striking a political balance in this
state because the chief benetiicaries Of
oil lcdO WI IN Il iGJbocNbIJ plo-
gressive had apparently forgotten
him long before Egan became a can
didate for governor last year.
Then came Egan's persecution. dis
barment and restoration by the sup
rene court, and in the light of human
desire and honest ambition, Egan
would have been little less than a
craven coward had he not sought
vindication. Egan is no coward.
He comes from a lighting race of peO-
pie and his father was gallant SOL
dier in the Union army during the
Civil War.
Where is the man with Egan'S
brilliant attainments, after betrayal
by those he had helped and the bitter
persecution he had to face, who would
have done less than he has done and
is doing to win vindicatiOn at the
hands of the people after the supreme
court vindicated his character as
lawyer and as citizen.
The LEADER did not support him
in his contest for governor, for which
the LEADER has now reason to regret,
and it is not now supporting him for
governor.
The LEADER loves fair play and a
square deal just as much as Col.
Roosevelt, and in recalling this little
Bit Of political history is not TO boom
Mr.. Egan but to keep the record
straight, least we forget.
Mr. Egan needs no defense from the
LEADER. He is able to handle his
own affairs without helpfrom anyone,
but the LEADER has little use for
men who show ingratitude towards
the man who carried them safely
through the whirlpool to dry land.
Ingratitude is the basest of mans
frailties and no man can long survive
who carries such snake in his bosom.
Geo. W. Egan won a great victory
for the progressives, he was persecut-
ed for faithful duty as lawyer, he
was diSbarred and reinStated 10y the
same court, and like any honest, SIN
cere man, seeks Wind ication by asking
the people to make him governor, and
there isn't a man in the state worth
the snap of your finger who, persecut-
ed as Egan has been prosecuted, would
not do as he has done and is trying to
do. Isn't this statement true?
Egan may be the next governor and
he may never be governor, but it is
we'll to remem Der that he is more
competent to discharge the duties Of