The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-05-17
NORBECK INTERESTS
A LARGE AUDIENCE
"ARTESIAN WELL AND "DOU-
BILE BERTH" EPISODES ARE
EXPLAINED BY CANDIDATE.
"PlE EATERS" AND WHY
EXPLAINS HE DOES NOT BE
LIENE HE CAN CUT STATES
EXPENSES IN HALF.

was plainly audible to all those in the
packed courtroom of the county
courthouse, Peter Norbeck, candi-
date for governor at the republican
primary, last night explained away
the few accusations that have been
made against him by his opponents
for gubernatorial honors, and more
assertions that had been directed to-
ward the state administration. While
saying that he was not defending the
acts of other state officials, he told
that in his capacity as lieutenant
governor, he was more or less famil-
lar with affairs at the capitol, and
that he felt it was due the people of
the state TO know conditions as they
exist. Mr.. Norbeck spoke without
o~stentation; there was a noticeable
absence of outward ecstacy even
when the speaker clinched the points
he wished to drive home.
Judge HOldridge Chairman.
Mr.. Norbeck was introduced by
Judge d. ID. Holdridge, who intro
duced II. o. Richards, also candidate
for governor, last Saturday night.
You may think it queer that | am
here TO introduce the second candi-
date for governor within a week. but
would not be loath to introduce
any of you men or women, should
you ask me-" said Judge Holdridge.
II said at the time of introducing
Mr.. Richards, that the Introduction
was not necessarily an indication of
the way in which / would vote. |
will say tonight that this introduc-
ton is an evidence of the name i'm
which | shall mark my ballot. 1t
will be for Mr.. Norbeck, a man who
was born and raised in South Da-
kota. and therefore is in a position
TO know our needs, a man who has
had successful business and legisla-
tive experience, and a man whose
character has been looked over by
his opponents. from the time he left
the cradle, and was found clean"
Judge Holdridge reminded his
hearers that the republican party,
once sailing under different c%olors,
are now working for one real stand
ard. He told that the time had come
when South Dakota must take its
place among the great states of the
union, and that the commemorative
chief executive be a man who not
only says he is clean, but one whose
every neighbor says he is clean.
Glad To See Ladies.
Mr.. Norbeck said he was glad
there were ladies present, and he
said he believed women who attend
ed political meetings now would have
the advantage over their sisters when
they are given the ballot.
The candidate explained that ii
was not his intention to delve into
personalities, as he believed the peo-
pie would rather know what he in
tended to do for the state, if elected,
than they would 10 listen to a recital
of the mistakes of others, but he felt
that he must speak in defense of
some of the things which had been
said against him by Mr.. Egan last
Monday. He then recounted some
Of the conditions he had been instru-
mental in bringing about. since go
ing 10 the legislature.
Real Things Done.
while it would be idle for me TO
claim more than my share in the OBJ
tanning of some very much appre-
ciated measures, I may say that since
I went TO the legislature corporation
property has gone on the tax books,
freight and express rates have been
lowered in the state, and public serv-
ice corporations have been regulat-
ed said Mr.. Norbeck. Freight
rates have been reduced so per cent.
and we now have the lowest express
rates Of any state i'm the country"
Mr.. Norbeck referred to the now
famous state artesian well, at Pierre.
which was dug by himself.
Mr.. Egan told you last Monday
that | got s6 a foot for digging the
state we'll. while / charged the city
of Pierre only SO a foot for a sim
liar WELL" said the speaker. so
far, that is nearly the truth, but Mr..
Egan did not explain all of it TO you,
for if he had his inference would
have been lost. When / built the
city we'll, the city of Pierre furnished
its own iron castings, whereas | fur
nished the castings, costing $4,000,
for the state well. There vas open
bidding for the well, and bids for do
ing the work were received from 0 IN
tractors in three states. / was the
lowest bidder"
Mr.. Norbeck related that Mr.. Egan
had said the well vas a political in
stitution, and was not needed. He
told that the we'll supplied gas as
we'll as water. and that sufficient gas
had been sold from the well to the
residents of Pierre to more than pay
for its construction. He declared
that the money with which to dig
the well had been appropriated by
the state two years before he entered
the legislature.
About That Double Berth.
Hardening again to Mr.. Egan's as
sertions, Mr.. Norbeck said his polit-
ical opponent, had asked the people
not to vote for him, for the reason
that Gov. Byrne is a CRATER. Mr..
Norbaek said Ia ic mot Cow Rvrpa'S