The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-03-28
PROGRESS OF STATE is
HAMPEREDB BY ARCHAIC
PART OF ORGANIC Law
Movement to Repeal Section OF
Constitution Which Cuts
Out Aid BY State.

Pierre, S. d March 25.-John Hip
| ole, editor OF the Pierre Capltal.
! Journal, Is instituting a campaign o!
| agitation for the repeal OF sec[lon l.
| article 10, of the constitution WHICH
provides:
Neither the state nor any county,
| township or municipality shall loan OF
give its credit or make donations 10 OF
in aid of any individual association OF
CORPORATION, except for the necessary
support of the poor nor subscrlpe 10 OF
ecome the owner of the capltal sloch
of any association or corporation, nor
pay or become r~esponsip!e Tor tne uIo'
or liability of any individual, assocla-
ion or corporation; y q Nor shall
the state engage in my work OF IN
ternal improvements
BY this constitutional prohibition the
state of South Dakota is prevented
from carrying On by the use OF the
states credit and u many
needed lines of internal Improvement,
as good roads, possible railroads, IT.
rigation and water power projects n
the mining of coal. A similar clause Is
found in the constitutions of practical
Iy all western states, and as Mr.. HIP
pie argues, at the time of its Adoption
was probably q necessary eXpeQleht 10
prevent the waste of the peoples mon
ey by eX~travagant legislatures. 1t was
Incorporated III these later constltu-
lions because of the experiences of IL
linois, Michigan and other central
states in the '40's, when their assem-
blies bound them for great sums for
turnpike, canal and railway promotion.
Today in South Dakota, with the init
iative and referendum, whereby n
e~xtravagant appropriation would likely
be brought before the people for APP
prevail. this danger no longer exists, II
with its removal, there is no longer
valid reason for the existence of this
prohibitory constitutional provision.
State a Manufacturer.
A few years ago a special constitu-
tional amendment enabled the state to
construct and operate a Irvine and shirt
factory at the Sioux Falls penitentiary.
This is the only industrial enterprise
carried on by the state, but there is a
long list of internal improvements
which are vitality important to the de-
velopment of South Dakota, many Of
which have been proposed to, and
would likely have been enacted by the
legislature if not unconstitutional.
Among these is state aid for the con-
struction of improved highways.
Last session some important men,
bers, including Speaker Morris, con-
sidered the introduction of such a bill
until they thought of the constitution
al difficulty. BY such a law the state
could build model roads where they
would be object lesson to all. For a
long period of years the railways re-
fused to invade the trans-Missouri
country, leaving it for two decades an
undeveloped Indian reservation. At that
time some public spirited citizens con-
templated a state" railway from the
Missouri to the Hills. but We're pre-
vented from taking any active steps
eau Of the CONSTITUTION. There are
vast tracts of easily irrigated land in
the state, the development of which
will likely be delayed for years be-
cause of the impossibility Of state as
sistance. The several hundred miles of
Missouri river through the state cry out
for Improvement in order to enable
the people of South Dakota to take adj
vantage of a great natural
Resources Suppressed.
Here again it's hands are tied. On
the Missouri there are two water pow
ers, the development of which would
produce hundreds of thousands of
horsepower which could be transmitted
throughout the state, but Under the
present circumstances the state can do
nothing toward securing state control
or development of the same, leaving
them to some day be monopolized for
private gain. The people of South Da-
kota pay annually $11, 600, 600 for fuel.
A large per cent of this Is for freight
Within the state there are Ignite fields
capable of furnishing heat for the en-
tire state at a very much lower price.
BY modern briquetting methods this
Ignite can be made equal to the very
best anthracite and laid down anywhere
IN the state for from 81 to s. per ton.
Railway officials nave said frequently
tina their roads you'd discourage in
every way possible the development OF
these fields because they want the long
h9IlS from a1ncylyap io Tr1ioro o-J
Illinois.
AT the last session this matter OF
state development of it's coal mines was
discussed by members, but the consri.
tuition prohibited any active steps:
In these and other venue Of neces.
sary internal Improvement which arr
not attractive to private capital, O,
Which properly belong to the sphere OF
the state. the commonwealth of South
Dakota can take nc active part unit
this clause of it's fundamental law is
repealed.
AGRIcULTuRlsTs FORM
SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS
Aberdeen, S. d, March 25.-The
South Dakota Scientific Farming con.
gress is the title of a new organization
formed at Aberdeen. 1t takes the place
of the former South Dakota Dry Farm.
ing congress, and will become associate
'AsfA StS LILY faTn1nG
congress. The officers of the new or.
g~anization are: President, G. r. Ma.
lone, of Draper; first vice president. n
r. Ginther, of Morristown; second vice
president, T. O.. Ramsland. of Lennon,
secretary-treasurer, w. H. wenz al
Bath. The president was authorized to
select q vice president from each co1n.
ty in the state. The officers. inclndina
the county vice presidents, shall con.
stitute the executive committee Of the
association. A resolution was adopted
urging additional legislation relative IA
the establishment Of state experiment
stations, and the passage Of a bill pro.
viding for adequate funds to maintain
the experiment stations. The next
meeting of the association will be held
at Pierre at the time of the state good
roads convention next fall.
RICH LAND OWNER is
A PROBABLE SUICIDE
Hot Springs, S.. D., March 25.-Perry
S1ckles, the richest land owner in EaI
River county, supposed to be mn-.h
100000, was found dead last night IN
a room over a saloon. 1t is generally
believed to be a suicide, but the nost
mortem a not been held yet.
HIGHLY HONOREn MAcah