Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-03-12
S. J. WOOD, ANSWERED

- w WI, ANo w ENEO
s. j. Wood in long article in the
Capital-Journal of March 3rd, ad-
dresses himself to the voters of
Hughes County, under the caption of
IS. j. Wood Comes Back %
] In this article he attempts to justi-
fly the extravagances of his office as
shown in these columns under date of
February 10Th. And so he skillfully
lodges the issue by laying much
stress upon the necessity for making
new indexes; and then enlarging up
on the magnitude of the work. But
this is not the issue.
We are willing to concede that some
new indexes were needed and that the
making of new indexes entails much
work. We did not object especially
to that work. The point is this that
special belp was engaged to do this
work and then being hired to do such
specific work was set to do the regu-
lar work of the Office as we'll and thus
prolong and increase the total expense
to the county at the expense of over.
| burdened taxpayers.
we believe thoroughly competent
man could perform the work of the
office without assistance, and could
| during the course of a few years have
made these indexes during his leisure
| time. 1t is a we'll known fact, and
Mr.. Wood will not presume to gain
say. that the regular work of thu of.
ice has been light, during the last
few years. And so it seems reason.
able to expect of Mr. Wood, as Reg
lister of Deeds, or for that matter of
any other man who may be elected to
that office to perform all the services
| in connection with his office, without
assistance. And it would seem that
an officer should do his very best in
the interest of the county. AS we
understand it a Register of Deeds as
| county official is bound to give his
| individual time to the duties of his
office. By what authority then hire
| help for indexing and then set them
to work on the regular duties of the
office.
| Mr.. WOOD has docged the issue, and
to seem to show that he is ready to
meet the issue he makes much splurge
in challenging MI. Wheelon to a de.
bate on the indexes and the magni.
tude OF their work. And goes so far
as to say, 81 will produce the books
and work in evidence of what I have
done while in Office. AS to the
necessity of some new indexes and
the magnitude of the work we have
already conceded that point and SO is
not debatable And as it is our und
erstanding that Mr.. A. d. NJ. Fawcett
and Miss M V. Lee have did the
work OF indexing we are willing to
concede that the work is we'll done. So
then there can be no argument on
that
But when Mr.. Woods says: "I will
produce the books and work in eyi-
/ dence or Wnat / have done while in
| office" We feel justified in assert
iIg that he must be mistaken or un-
der delusion. The records show
that Mr.. Fawcett and Miss Lee were
hired to Go this specific work. How
then will Mr.. Wood be able to con-
vince an enquiring public that he has
done that work while in office.
/ Do not let any one fool you, Mr..
Voter, by lodging the issue and by
bluffing for debate on matter
where there is no issue. Vote for a
man who is thoroughly competent to
do the work of Register of Deeds.
You will find such man in Lawrence
Lawler. Give him a boost. He
would have been around to see you,
but being quarantined on account of
a case of scarlet fever at his home.
4 he has been unable to get around.
But give him your vote for he pledges
to give you good service including
indexing. His name is on the ticket
| to the right.