Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-01-13

that condition can be improved Is one
which should receive consideration at your
nands AT this tins, as undoubtedly thu
subject OF ~road-butld.ng and road keeping
~ and should be one Of general interest
Inasmuch as roads are Of use to each
n every one of our citizens and the pub
lie highways either directly or indirectly
affect us all. high or low, rich or poor,
their Improvement Is of universal impor-
lance. Were our country roads improved
we would AVE better rural schools. the
value OF our farms and farm products
would increase, our rural mail deliveries
wouid be facilitated. transportation rates
would be lowered, and other important re-
suits would follow.
a good road Is an element bearing al
rectly upon the value of the farm and we
all know that improved roads increase the
value OF every acre OF land in the vicinity
or such roads and II has been again and
again demonstrated that the nearer land
lies to market, to church and to school,
the greater is its Valu and the better the
price realized from its product. l am con-
hdent that we are all aware of many a
farm which Is now considered poor prop
erty and OF low value, but which by good
roads would at once be brought into the
market, If sale were desired. Improved
roads increase and enlarge the markets
and affect the price Of commodities Of
every sort.
We need a system Of roads built in ac-
cordance with practical and scientific
methods and only practical, up-to-date
~roadbuilders should be placed in charge OF
the construction OF our county highways.
Mining.
In mis- annual report the inspector OF
mines has well discussed the most i'm
portant features of this great industry and
MS account of the work lone during the
past two years is Of great advantage to
those interested In the matter. The con-
ditions at this time are very satisfactory
ana 1t Is to be hoped that the harmony
may continue.
D1rino fhn mat t-,o x,oo-~ a.
OF the industry was retarded for several
months by labor troubles and to this fact
Is due the decrease in the gold n silver
production.
At this time / am constrained to make
mention OF the work which is being done
for the state by the State School of
Mines at Rapid City. The courses offered.
particularly those OF electrical engineer
ing and metallurgy, have been enlarged
and extended and much valuable APP
paratus has been added.
State Veterinarian.
Tn present state veterinarian has un-
doubtedly given the most thorough and
devoted attention to the duties of his
office and from him the stock growers
and stock, raisers throughout the state
nave received information dealing with
the treatment of diseased stock which is
Of vast benefit to them.
During the past season much incon-
venience has been experienced because
of the fact that the lands lying west of
the Missouri river nav been under quar-
antine and all stock being transported
east across said river must receive in
spection and carry a clean bill of health,
else shipments will not be accepted by
the railroads.
Some provision should be made where
by a veterinarian would be continually
stationed at the river points and author
lied to make the necessary inspection
and furnish he desired certificate.
National Guard,
Ever since the Spanish-American wal
a claim against the federal government
for pay for services rendered by the
member of the First South Dakota reg
tment Of volunteers from the date of
their enrolment to the date Of muster
been pending and unpaid.
After investigati inc into the merits cf
the claim, I placed the prosecution of
Adrian Sizer. of Washington, D. c., and
under date of June q, 1910. the claim was
allowed and settlement made by trans
mlsslGn Of 5G s1 R 5.ss4. e a OUT Ta Of these to tun 5as
about 1000 men were entitled TO receive
various sums ranging from 1880 to SO and
up to December 20, 1910. 400 men had been
receipts are being sent out from the ex-
ecutive office and settlement Is being
made with the men as rapidly as they
Pure Food.
The pure food laws of the state have re-
quilted, in a great measure, In guarding
the people against adulterated food, and
If the legislature deems best to yet further
strengthen the statutes In this regard IL
would be well. Any legislation along
these lines is another step In the right
direction.
Law Enforcement.
Law-breaking. in any form, is the heav-
lest tax that can be imposed upon any
industry, labor or property, n I am
glad to be able to say that in regard to
the enforcement Of the law In the various
portions of the state, ! believe that quite
generally the officers ave been success
full In their efforts, and we nave reason
to congratulate ourselves and them. There
has been a concerted and effective action
b. the attorney general and the various
states attorneys, which has resulted in
placing the state In a much more favorable
condition than heretofore. This is true OF
the larger portion Of the state.
However, In those sections which have
been opened to settlement during the past
few years we find a deplorable condition
existing and of this fact I desire to make
In these newly settled portions
1t has seemed impossible &c property con-
troll the professional gamblers and gener-
ally lawiess characters that overrun our
new towns. This fact is due In q large
measure to the lack of unity and organ
ization among the law-abiding citizens of
the community, for were they TO band
themselves together in a league with law
enforcement as its object, the result would
not be a matter of uncertainty and the
obnoxious element would soon be done
away with.
1 am constantly besieged with requests
and complaints from settlers In these new
err sections Of the state skiing my assist
ance in enforcing the law, and IL the
executive department or the department
OF the attorney general might have a rep
resentative TO send into these districts. In
order that proper Investigations might he
made, the results would be satisfactory
and the expenditure more than justified.
In connection with the enforcement OF
law. there is yet another phase OF the
which is deserving of your atten-
ton. The executive of this state is re-
quired by the constitution to enforce the
laws and takes an oath that he will do SO.
However, IL a complaint is made to me as
to the violation Of law In a certain dis
trict, / can but well pursue one line of
action and hat is write to the states at
torney, lay the case before him.. and give
him my wishes In the matter. If that Of
ficer be lax in regard to the performance
OF his duty or IL there Is a sentiment
locally against the enforcement OF the law,
the governor Is powerless. The states at
torney can refuse to do his duty and still
there is nothing the governor can do. 1t
is evident there should be a limited pow
er Of removal vested in the governor. as
to all officers having to do with the en-
forcement OF law.
Tarraranea