The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-06-15
s. D.. AFFAIRS
IN WASHINGTON
NEWS OF LOCAL INTEREST AT
NATIONAL CAPITAL THE
PAST WEEK
PRESIDENT TAFT MAY ATTEND FAIR
Congressional Delegation from South
Cakot Invite Chief Executive
to Visit Huron Fair.

A special to the Register from
Washington says that peculiar inter
est attaches to the charges made by
an old soldier named Silsby, and liv-
ing in Minnesota, involving the Reg
lister of the Gregory land office. Mr.
Silsby makes affidavit that he was
successful in one of the drawings held
at the Gregory land office, and flied a
soldiers declaratory statement. He
recites that it afterwards developed
that another applicant who was a
squatter successfully filed on part OF
the same land. The Silsby affidavit
asserts that Register T. e. Burns ia
vored the contestant through improp-
er methods. In his reply Mr.. Burns
contends that when Mr.. Silsby's num-
Der was called he did not appear, and
consequently, lost his right Of pre-
ferment, and that the squatter's claim
under these conditions deprived Sils-
by of his prior rights. Mr.. Silsby was
allowed eighty acres of his claim,
which was not in controversy, but
subsequently ~relinquished it to the
Government. Register Burns further
claims that Silsby has been used as
a tool by operators who practice dis
reputable methods and we're debarred
from appearing in land matters. The
Register demands a thorough inves-
tigation, and Senator Gamble and Rep
resentative Burke have urged that an
inspection be sent to inquire into the
affair. A feature of the Silsby af-
fdavit charges the Commissioner -.
the General Land Office, Mr.. bennett,
with also being guilty Of misconduct
in office.
Senators Gamble and Crawford, and
Representative Burke called at the
White House this week, and extended
an invitation to President Taft to
attend the South Dakota State Fair
between the dates of September 18th
and 18th. The President enthusiast
tically received the invitation and as
sured the members that if the timer
airy Of his Western trip could be so
arranged, that he would attend the big
state show. Mr.. Taft's schedule of
travel for the middle Of September
has been partially fixed and there are
one Of two dates which conflict with
the South Dakota invitation. If these
differences can be adjusted the Elk
ecutive has assured the delegation
him more.
Senator Gamble who secured the
nomination of Judge Elliott is natur-
ally feeling good because the rumored
opposition to confirmation did not
materialize. Immediately following
the confirmation a contest was pre-
cipitated by friends Of the candidates
for Clerk of the Federal Court under
Judge Elliott. Mr.. 0. S. Pendar, Of
Sioux Falls, has held the position
since South Dakota became a state.
It is evident that he will not be re-
tanned, which explains the fact that
large numbers Of letters are being re-
ceived by Mr.. Gamble in behalf Of
applicants.
The Census Bureau has issued a
statement concerning crop statistics
in South Dakota in which it appears
that the leading crops OF 1909 were:
wheat, s42,SS1 900; corn, $2G,385, 900;
oats, $1G,03S, 90; hay and forage, s15.-
100000; barley, s1O,S7O, 900; haXseed,
sc, 993, 900: emmer and speltz, $685.
600; potatoes, $1,967,0OO.
The South Dakota delegation in
both Houses will vote against the
pending bill reducing the tariff on
wool. 1t will be remembered that
the State Legislature OF 1903 sent a
memorial to Congress, which was
unanimously passed by the votes OF
all parties, protesting against any
reductions in the wool tariffs, and de-
claring that such action would be de-
structive to the industry.
The Vermiliion Post Office matter
in which w. c. Huyck was chosen by
a vote of the people, was quickly dis
posed of at the Capitol, The action
of electors was Immediately followed
by an appointment and taken up and
confirmed by the Senate In short
order.