The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-08-06
st{,{f MINE
'R|cHAROS ENTERS
AS CANDIDATE FOR
THE wGOv{RNORSH|P
Formally Declares Him
self In Race as In
dependent. e
HITS OLD PARTIES
Democratic Platform is
Blank Cartridge and Byrrei
Wrong on Taxation.

Wrong on Taxation.
Huron, S. D.-The following is a
statement made by II. o. Richards in
connection with his announcement as
an Independent candidate for gov
ernor of South Dakota at the coming
general election:
Il was an Independent candidate
for governor in the primaries on my
own platform and will be an indie
pendent candidate at the fall cleo
ton, standing en- the same platform
with no partnership with any indi-
vidual, faction or party. / am there
fore a non-partisan candidate for
governor. If I am successful, / shall
be the first governor elected in the
United States by an independent
choice OF, the people since the forma-
ton of political parties. i recognize
that only two political parties are
needed as a check, on public opinion
and, that we should develop the inde-
pendent feature, which is pure demo-
craey, as an Affirmative, both in the
primaries and at the general cleo,
ton, as a check on the two parties.
A ~non-partisan movement in the in
dependent column is much more de-
sirable than to start a third, fourth
and fifth political party. Therefore.
am leading the way in the use of
the independent column to establish
a balance of power in political or
ganization in the primaries and at
general election to make the two poll
itical parties sensitive to public in
terests. The independent vote in
South Dakota is the largest vote and
can easily determine who shall be u.
S. senator, congressman and state
officers.
For eleven long years, since the
very inception of the progressive re-
publication movement in this state, 1
have maintained a consistent and per-
sistent attitude in opposition to the
destructive actions of the state
regime. I have sought to establish
a staple form of representative, pop
ular, political, party government in
way of a primary law, in place of a
theoretical, unintelligent party law
resulting in secret, i~nitiatory meet
ings and minority rule, without n
safe-guards. + have at all times, ad-
vocated a merit system in politics, in
place of the spoils system, and SPAR
ed neither time or substance to that
lend. l have taken a firm stand for
constructive legislation, instead of
destructive tinkering. 1 have always
insisted upon intelligent investiga-
ton before taking legal action.
Hasty and unwise legislation has
manifested itself throughout the
management of the present state
regime, details of which I will ex-
plain during the campaign.
All Progressive.
"When the so-called progressive
republican movement succeeded in
this state, it also carried the county
governments with it, as a natural re-
suit. The so-called progressive re-
publican movement is therefore re-
sponsible for whatever has happen
ed, state or locally, during the
regime. If it's State Land Commits
sioner committed ~malfeasance in Of
flee; if it's State Treasurer ran off
with $5O,00U.OO of the states inter
est money; if political healers have
been appointed to state boards of pen
lalsand charitable and educational in
Istitutions; if mutiny has occurred in
the state university; if, in instances,
our courts are weaker. our taxes
higher, the schools poorer and the
/. roads worse, it is the result of eight
years Of the present regime. The So
called progressive republican move
ment has degenerated into aclose cor
poration under control Of four or
five irresponsible individual Is, backed
by four or five commercialized daily
newspapers in this state, ready to
trade and barter in any way to main
tain themselves in power.
The Issues Made.
"The difference in public policies
of the two dominant political parties
in this state and my platform, epre-
sented by my candidacy for governor,
makes the issues plain. 1 first desire
to point out that the South Dakota
democratic platform is simply an emp
ty eulogy of the democratic party. its
President and its candidate for u.
IS. senator. The democratic platform
Is silent on the vital issue of taxa
ton Therefore I cannot join issue
with that party; because Of the vague
declarations Of its platform, except
ito point out It's irresponsible and
lawless state or leadership. The state
democratic leadership has defied the
party primary law and refused the
people their legal right to rule.
through postmaster primaries, 1t
maintains a close, secret organiza-
ton in place Of an open, legal party
organization. 1,yiew the democratic
platform as blank cartridge. It is
the product Of the politician Of the
old school-an effort to hint at some
thing and say nothing, in hope of
!. success on the general popularity of
President Wilson.
II call particular attention to the
fact that the republican party offers
no definite plans and specifications as