The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1923-01-04

gree Of prosperity, has not then ag
riculture the right to ask of the Am
erican people that the agriculturist be
paid a decent return for his labor and
a fair return for interest upon the cap
ital which he has invested? And il
the government has, through these
many years, used its power to protect
certain industries and other industries
have been able through. their own pow.
er, to protect themselves, should not
the federal government be justified and
duty bound to protect agriculture,
which is now PROSTATE. helpless and
defenseless?
IF, amid rising labor and material
costs, the Standard Oil increases the
price Of their product in order that
their balarce sheet may show a profit.
and that tax is Immediately passed
on to all Of the American people, is it
not proper hat agriculture, likewise
should have it's balance sheet protect
ed"
| cannot emphasize too
strongly that this Legislature pramul-
gate a policy of strict economy that
will meet with the approval Of the
people of the commonwealth. You
will not Of course in the curtailment
of public expenditures, take any action
which will lower the standards for the
care Of the unfortunate Of the state.
They are your wards and are helpless
and defenseless and the dictates OF
humanity and Of science will not per-
nit that they suffer because Of any
program Of economy. However, in all
other governmental activities Of the
state Of South Dakota, it is your sol
emn bounden duty to insist upon the
most thorough going and rigid system
of economy consistent with actual nee
essity, efficiency and best welfare Of
the state.
Moneys derived from direct taxation
constitute a toll exacted from the toll
Of the people, and the power vested
in you of making appropriations is
solemn and sacred and you SHOULD
exercise it with the utmost care and
consideration in respect to those who
bear the burden, and the purpose Of
every appropriation should be pains
takingly scrutinized before it meets
with your approval.
Our educational institutions have
made splendid progress during the past
few years. In spite of the fact that
the times have been hard. our school
attendance has steadily increased and
today exceeds in total numbers that of
any previous time. However. the high.
err educational institutions have in
many respects been duplicating their
work and instead OF concentrating
their energy along the lines and pur.
poses for which they we're instituted,
they have continued to branch out
with the view of creating an all-round
educational institution and endeavor
ing, 1t would seem, to cover all phases
of educational activities. This is a
dangerous policy for the best welfare
OF the institutions themselves, for Ger
tainly if an educational institution
would direct its efforts and make use
Of it's appropriations to build up q
stronger, outstanding individual Iinsti
tuition, fulfilling the intent and special
purposes for which it was created, in
the end it will be able to confer great
err educational advantages and it's at
tendance will be greatly increased be-
cause of the institutions prominence.
AS the wealth OF the state increases,
our people will become more and more
discriminating in reference to educa-
tional institutions, and naturally will
select that institution which is out
sanding in reputation, character and
curriculum along the lines they desire
to educate their children, and unless
they are able to find such an institu-
tion in the state of South Dakota they
will very likely send their boys and
girls elsewhere.
Adopting specific policies for the ed
vocational institutions, does not Of nee.
essity mean smaller appropriations
nor does it decrease their Importance,
but will greatly enhance their useful
ness, make them stronger and even
tually will increase their attendance
and raise them to a place of preemin
ence and commendablc distinction.