Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1913-01-09

M IunoB iof buS HSkt0ss "a $50 ss~~~
educational institutions, under which
the regents would annually levy a
specified mill tar, within certain de-
fined limits, for the support OF such
institutions, in lieu Of biennial appro-
priations by the legislature. There
Is merit In this suggestion. A. chair
man OF the committee on appropria'
tons Of the senate In two past SEES
sIons of the legislature, | had unusual
opportunity to observe the working OF
the present system Of making appro-
priations. II Is an awkward, cumber-
some and unscientific method. Funds
are appropriated In a more or less
haphazard way, as ii ID impossible
during the short space OF legislative
session for members to become famil-
lar with the needs OF the various In
stitutions. The pressure for appro-
priations embarasses and impedes
members in their regular legislative
work, and is disturbing and disor-
ganizing factor generally, and, In my
opinion, il Is only a question OF time
when II will be abandoned for a more
rational and effective method. ! could
not, however, give my approval to a
proposition to have a board whose
business ii is to manage part Of the
institutions of the state. levy the tax
for such institutions as are under its
control. This would only lead to con
fusion worse COMPOUNDED"
In my opinion 1t would be vast
Improvement over our present system
to have nonpartisan, nonpolitical
board of three efficient members, to
have control of the general financial
affairs of educational institutions, and
entire control OF the penal and char
table institutions; the members Of
such board to receive sufficient salary
to warrant them in giving their entire
time to their official duties and to be
required to do so. Then, board OF
regents. to be charged with the duty
of looking after the educational feat
ures Of the various state schools; and
the directing of educational policies
and the employment of executives,
deans, professors and instructors; the
selecting and securing Of educational
supplies and equipment and similar
duties. Such board of regents to con-
sist OF three or i've members, and, be-
ing relieved of much of the financial
duties devolving on the board of re-
gents under our present system, would
not be expected to devote their entire
time to their official duties.
The board of control, under such a
plan, would have general financial
control of practically all the institu-
tions and activities of the state, ex-
cept such as may be said to be within
the scope, and under the control. Of
the executive and judicial depart
ments. Such board might well be
entrusted with the duty of making
an annual tax levy, within strictly
defined constitutional or statutory linn
It's. for the support of all these insti-
tutiens. After much study Of the ques-
ton, and considerable experience
with the present method OF appropri-
ating money, unhesitatingly say
that this change would be a great Inn
provement over the present system.
urgently recommend that you en-
act and submit to vote Of the peo-
pie, at the next general election, a
proposed amendment to the oonstitu.
ton. providing for general board Of
control and . board of regents along
the hnes indicated herein. I suggest
that the constitutional provision for
such board of control should provide
for its duties and limitations only In
general and comprehensive terms.
leaving the details to be provided for
by legislative enactment. 90 the
needs OF the present and the future
may from time TO time require.
Freight and Passenger Rates.
The question OF freight and passen
ger rates has occupied the attention
Of the people Of the state for years
Various efforts have been made. es
pecially In the six years last past. Il
secure rates that are Just, reasonable
and equitable between localities and
individuals. The results obtained
thus far are not satisfactory. This Il
not because 81 lack Of effort on thu
part OF the stats. Orders Of the board
Of railroad commissioners, made In
February. 1907: April. 1898: January
1910; March. 1910. and May. 1910. re-
duced all freight rates IN TIE state
east and west Of the Missouri river
from to 20 per cent on the different
classes of freight Notwithstanding
such reductions, however. frsigh,
rates. especially west Of the Missouri
river. remained excessively and IN
reasonably high. and IN February
1911. the board issued tariffs affecting
all CLASSES and al commodities. thu
more important changes being on
trafllc west Of the Missouri river. pro
viding for very material reductions IL
rates. and aiming to make rates The
same throughout the state. east and
west Of the Missouri river. These
tariffs were not permitted to 80 into
eject. however. being snjoined by thu
federal court. In obedience to an act
Of the legislature. passed In the ses
sion Of 1907. the board Of railroad
commissioners made it, order hxina
passenger fares between points within
the state q az cents per mile. which
ordof was also promptly enjoinsd b