The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-02-29
BRAND or INDULGENCE
PLACED ON SETTLERS
BY FREE SEED" LAW
Conditions To Which Drought
Stricken Must Submit In
Order To Get Aid.

rHN 'oSASlh newspapers HoNH SSSA
running headliners to the effect that
the reports of want and suffering in
western South Dakota have been ex-
a~ggerated."
Under date of February 10. a Sioux
Falls paper quotes State Senator
Harry L. Candy, of Wasta, as saying
The stories of want and restitution
have been greatly exaggerated as are
also the stories OF suffering OF i've
stock" yet he admitted hat in pTac.
tically every county west of the Mis-
souri, river there would be some re-
quests for county aid TO procure seed
grain for spring planting. He further
asserted hat a careful showed
that the number would be much
smaller than had been anticipated
This will probably be true as the
settlers are greatly incensed over the
seed grain law passed by the last
legislature in the midst OF a severe
drought period.
y clear explanation of the PROPOSE
ton whereby the settlers may benefit
90 by this aw has been distributed in
a signed circular by John p Fvett
chairman of the board OF county com
missioners of Meade county a care
ful perrusal Of this circular viii reveal
why the settlers are so indignant
about the matter and win explain WHY
there will probably be very few appli-
cations under this law.
To begin with, the settler, to take
advantage Of this law, must first file
ment that ne is destitute and must
petition the board OF county COM
nlissioners for aid in the matter OF
seed In order TO obtain the seed he
Il execute a note n mortgage
drawing Z e cent interest, at the
same time paying cost price for the
seed and . cents a bushel profit to
the dealers. Yet, Notwithstanding he
has purchased same on the terms laid
down by the law, it is not his prop
eTty, as under the law provision is
made for h punishment Of anyone
selling, feeding, or using the grain in
any manner whatever other u for
seed purposes" Further than this, If
the county commissioners see fit to
grant b seed. he must be advertised
in all the official county papers as a
pauper, Notwithstanding that he must
own sufficient property to satisfy the
county commissioners as to the secur-
ity.
denton is also made in the circular
OF h fact that Perkins county last
year t19ln went into debt for seed
grain TO the extent OF $4,000 and only
about $500 has thus far been repaid.
1t is to be wondered how h com
m~issioners could have expected the
debt to have been nquidated in that
season of complete crop failure and
the worst drought in the history of
the state.
The circular. copies OF which have
been placed in the different postoffces
for distribution. follows:
The matter of the free distribution of
seed grain having been brought to the
attention of the board of county COM
49, 49,
nation Of the law is hereby presented.
1t is impossible at this time, to state
just what action will be AXE in the
matter, but this explanation is present
ed for the benefit of any one inter
ested.
The seed grain law provides that the
commissioners may, If they see fit, pro-
of seed grain, to be distributed among
the needy and destitute farmers of the
applying for them. In order for
any n to take advantage of this law
must first file with the county audi
tor a sworn statement that he is des-
titute and that he has tried and beer
unable to procure seed grain in any
other anner He must also give a
description by legal subdivision
of the land upon which he intends to
sow said grain, and of the amount
needed, which must not in any case,
eACeSI oHe uuIuTeQ llUU) DuShelS of
wheat, or the equivalent thereof. Pro-
vision is made for the punishment of
anyone selling. feeding. or using the
grain in any whatever. other
than for seed purposes.
The names of all those APPLYING for
aid under the provisions of this law
will be published in all of the official
papers of the county.
At the time of procuring the seed
grain the applicant must execute a note
and mortgage, drawing seven (7) per
interest, covering the land owned
by himself on which he proposes to ,Ise
this seed. This indebtedness must be
paid by he 10th day of October. 1912
which it becomes a first lien
the land, to be collected the same
as other taxes are collected. If the an
owns no land the commission.
ers may demand n other security
they deem sufficient.
The price must be actual cost. Mus
cents per bushel.
Several objections have been urged 10
the distribution of grain under this
one OF which is, that In the ma
Jorlty OF cases, anyone able to meet
Ill requirements necessary to entitle
him TO It's benefits can ordinarily PRO-
cure his seed otherwise. 1t is not the
lnIent OF the law by n means to dis
tribute this seed gratis. 1t must all he
paid for with Z per cent interest.
From ali the information obtained
from other counties it seems that the
experiment has not proven very bene-
fetal In most cases to the farmers and
almost invariably 1t has proven disas-
ferrous to the county. In Perkins coun-
ty last year the county went in debt
s4.60o. only about $500 of which has so
Tar been repaid.
However. al before stated. it is inn
to say just what action will
be in the matter. 1t may be nee
to resort to this law, despite all
objections advanced. The matter will
pc definitely disposed cf in the middle |
Of February, meanwhile this partial |
of the law is published for
consideration OF those interested. It
might be will to state in same con-
thai the board of county COM
missioners is now arranging to have
grain shipped free of freight to
different dealers who will agree to
sell it to the farmers at cost, plus 5
cents a bushel.
VISITORS WILL BE SHOWN
OVER IRRIGATION PLANT
Belle Fourche. S. D., Feb. 2s.-Three
statewide meetings will be held here
lhtss summer In one IIaonth, as follows
CONGREGATIONAL state conferapca NJ.