The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-02-26
CRAWFORD F[AYS
OPPONENTS FOR
ATTACK ON RECORD
Says Present Fight Is
elimination of Long
Battle.
TAXES ARE LOWER
Says Caldwell, In Making
Comparisons With Sur
rounding States.
TAXES ARE LOWER

I'm the guy they're after, If they
get me. it viii be a long stride bach
to the fleslpots."
Thus United States senator Coe ].
Crawford, candidate for reelection.
characterized the actuating motive OF
the opposition in his address AT the
city hall auditorium last evening, be
fore an audience Which filled the
floor.
There was 40 doubt-that the senior
senator had np limbered his artillery
for his political enemies; from almost
h first word that passed his lips
1t was not de%sultoryA skirmish. hut
generous broadsides il good range
that were volleyed forth. And a few
richotettinp shots went in the di-
%rection of some of 1helsupporters OF
his opponent, Congressman Charles
Fl. Burke.
Talks on ToNation.
me other speaker of the evening
was Clarence c. Caldwell, of How
ard, candidate of the majority wing
for encouragement. Mr.. Caldwell
spoke first, devoting his time to the
taxation issue in South Dakota.
Preceding the speaking. music was
furnished by IA male quarter compos-
ed of Messrs. S. A. Wise, w. l. Viii
son. Harry Rranson, and l.. A. Will
liams.
The present fight in South Dako-
ia, declared the senator, is but the
elimination of a fight begun ten
years g when | ran for governor.
Since that time, when i was COVER
nor and when | have been senator,
there has been a campaign of cal
umny against my record.
Not ii Chameleon.
1T has been charged hat a pro-
gressive in South Dakota, / went tc
Washington and fell under the influ-
ence of Aldrich. | may be a knave,
but l am not a fool, and it was to
place my record %squarely before the
people. to show them what kind of a
public servant l have been. that |
have issued challenge after challenge
to those OF the opposition o meet me
on the platform in joint debate.
Il have nothing to say against ar.
Burke. He is a respectable gentle
man. He is cool, self-possessed and a
good speaker, but he won't come out
and meet NE on the platform. His
record is against him, that's all.
have a right 10 speak plainly, when
they charge That my constituency is
ashamed and Inundated by mi ac-
lions.
Who are the men who are SEND
ing out these attacks upon me from
Pierre, who will not back up their
assertions IN the PLATFORM? They are
two printers: Mr.. Nipple and Mr..
Roberts. The records show that they
had received such enormous sums
from the state printing that a legis-
lative inquiry vas necessary. l am
going to Pierre. nd:Within the reach
of their ears. | am going to challenge
these men who have uttered the false
hoods against mp record in Wash
ington.'
Explains Tariff Vote.
The senator devoted the greater
part Of his time upon the platform
to an explanation of his votes upon
the Payne-Aldrich tariff bill. He de-
|clarcd that through the columns OF
Fthe Argus-Leader it had been made
TO appear that in many instances his
vote was aligned with Aldrich, al
though it IA the same as every pro-
gressive republican and every regular.
republican.
His opponent, Congressman Burke
came in for attention in discussion
of the rules fight in the lower house,
when Speaker Cannon vas shown OF
his power. Mr.. Crawford declared