The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-01-15

W u ttitpiioiCy tClN-
graph and sleeping car business.
Abolition of contract labor in the
state p%enitentiary.
A graduated income tax, and an
occupation tax on foreign corpora
tons, to take the place OF part and
ultimately of all, OF the personal pro-
perty tax.
Insurance of bank deposits.
This is a rather formidable pro-
gram. Its length and its detail sug-
gests more careful consideration than
was given the minority platform.
Reform of the national procedure
of the republican party, such as pro-
posed by the majority, is u%nquestion-
ably favored by practically all repub-
iican voters. There should be, and in
fact is, no real difference of opinion
between the two factions on this sub
jcct.
The effect OF The importation OF
corn from Argentine upon the price
of that cereal in this country is like
ly TO attract attention to The criti-
cism of the recent tariff act for put
ting farm products on the free list
However, on this also the two fac
lions of the party are quite agreed.
i 1t is rather late in the day to sug-
gest the purchase of the express com
panies. The establishment of the par
GELS post has left comparatively little
TO purchase. If it is desired to put
the express companies out of busi-
ness. a legislative act excluding them
from classification as common ear.
| riers would be sufficient, as also. in
all probability, would be an extern
sion of the parca! pest service to
cover their entire field Of operation.
Control of inte"kla.e corporations
by an administrative body such as
the commerce commission, as favored
by the majority, is likely to have the
support of all parties within a short
time. President Roosevelt was CON
verified to the plan while serving as
president. Taft started his admins
tration by condemning it, only to
change and virtually endorse it be-
fore he retired. Wilson began his a l.
ministration with a denouncation OF
the plan, but there is growing evid-
ence that he, like his predecessors,
will be convinced that it is necessary.
Strictest economy is pledged, but,
loS was Nolu vi thC IVY pldlk OF
this subject, economy is a relative
term. Judged by dollars and cents
the recent state administrations have
been extravaganza. Judged by the
states growth and the needs of in
situations, the expenditures NAV all
be justified. The real evil is too for
midable, too real, too menacing. to
me brooked by either faction. None
has the courage to assail it. This Is
the institutional Combine which
for pure and unadulterated selfish
local interests, absolutely rules the
legislature and dominates the appro.
prfations. 1t is right and proper that
the institutions should be enlarged,
But should it be done in accordance
with their needs, or in qualification
of local cupidity? Should 1t be done
to make these institutions fill their
appointed field, or to spend a lot of
money in certain localities? Until
some one has the courage to assail
this real governing power in the
states expenditures, all professions
as to the practice of "strictest eco.
nomy" are as tinkling brass. Nothing
more, at all.
There certainly will be no differ
ence of opinion upon the regulation
of the telephone and telegraph bust
ness. 1t must be done and done ade-
quately, else there will be an irres-
istible demand for government own
ership of them.
That contract labor should be a.
polished in the state penitentiary is
in line with the best thought of the
day upon the conduct of penal in
situations.
Most important of all the planks.