History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 82

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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from assessment * * and in their official capacity to employ such aid and

assistance as they should deem necessary and proper and fix the compensation of all persons so employed by them, but the same Legislature neglected to appro- priate funds from which to meet this expense. This rendered the state board powerless and rendered the law nugatory. The total assessed valuation of the state in 1902 was $187,531,381. In 1906 it was $222,426,469. This was an average gain of nearly nine million dollars per annum. The increase in the con- struction of railroads, the advance in value of all real estate, the rapid develop- ment of cities and the widespread settlement of country districts, give promise at this time that the increase in assessed valuation would soon climb to a much higher figure.

In 1910, W. F. Bancroft, state game warden, reported his intention was to secure 200 or 300 pairs of Chinese ring-neck pheasants in 1911 to be used in stocking the state with these desirable fowl. Many farmers had already expressed their willingness to take pairs in order to raise broods to be turned loose when they should become large enough to support themselves. He had also con- sidered the advisability of securing Hungarian partridges for distribution and propagation in the state. He asked that additional laws covering these projects be passed. At this time the trapping and killing of fur-bearing animals in South Dakota was becoming quite remunerative during the winter season, but the laws were not sufficiently protective to increase the number of such ani- Inals. The warden recommended that the trapping season be changed so as to extend from December Ist to March Ist of each year, and that spearing and shooting muskrats and other fur bearing animals be wholly prohibited. Owners of lands containing streams or lakes, he believed, should be allowed to take muskrats in any manner during the open season. The time was now ripe to es- tablish a state fish hatchery at a suitable point. No doubt sufficient funds would

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accumulate from the license system properly to equip and maintain a fish hatch- ery without the appropriation of additional funds from the state treasury. The stocking of the lake and streams, the warden said, was very important at this time. During the past year he had endorsed twenty applications for fish fry from the Government hatcheries. The fish laws were far from being satisfac- tory. He recommended that seining should be absolutely prohibited, except under the supervision and authority of the state game warden, who should be permitted to make rules and regulations governing this practice. The open fish- ing season should be made to conform as nearly as possible to the laws of adjoin- ing states. The number of certain kinds of fish which any person could legally take with a hook and line in one day should be limited. Generally fishing was good in Lakes Kampeska, Big Stone and Andes and in smaller bodies of water. Trout fishing in the Black Hills, especially in Pennington County, was usually good during the spring months. Lake Poinsett also was soon to be numbered as one of the fine bodies of water for fishing. The warden had ordered this lake seined for non-game fish, so that it could be stocked during the summer with fish fry. There was no reason, he declared, why South Dakota should not build up its fishing industry so as to make it not only a pleasant sport but a prof- itable business as well. During the year the warden made seventy-five arrests and twenty-seven seizures for violations of the law regulating hunting and fishing. He recommended that licenses for seins be placed at $5 and a general license for fishing at $2 for each fish-house used during the closed winter months. He further recommended that the general non-resident license be raised from $15 to $25 for small game, the same as for large game, and that the resident license for hunting large game be put back to where it formerly was, $2.50. He ex- pressed the opinion that the existing system of appointing game wardens had proved to be wrong. He believed they should be made either elective in the county or appointive by the state game warden, because boards of county com- missioners as a rule were insufficiently interested in the enforcement of the game law to make the intent of its provisions effective. Generally throughout the state there existed considerable irritation and antagonism against the game laws. County game wardens should be allowed to appoint deputies, and all should be paid in accordance with their duties. As it was impossible for the state game warden to cover the entire state, he asked that six state deputies, each with a salary not to exceed $75 per month and necessary traveling expenses, be provided.

The county game wardens of the state met at Mitchell, September 30, 1909. There were present twenty-four from as many different counties, representing all sections of the state. Many questions of interest to this department were discussed, and the merits and demerits of the game and fish laws were revealed. At this meeting the following resolutions were passed: That to assist in the proper enforcement of the game and fish laws of our state, all county, game and fish wardens should be empowered to appoint deputy county game and fish wardens according to the area in charge; that each county game and fish warden be authorized to issue over his own signature hunting and fishing licenses to both residents and non-residents, and that the non-resident license fee for small game be raised to $25.

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The twenty-sixth annual report of the State Board of Dental Examiners was made in November, 1910. During the previous year thirty-seven candi- dates were examined, of whom twenty-two were granted licenses and fifteen were refused licenses. During the year there were three cases of prosecution. One man was convicted of practicing dentistry without a license and was fined $75. Another was convicted, but took the case to the Supreme Court. The same man was convicted before a Justice Court for a second offense. The board concluded to prosecute practitioners who entered the state and established themselves in business before satisfactorily passing examinations for license, as there were no temporary permits granted nor were there any reciprocal rela- tions yet established with the boards of other states. The annual registration fee was $2. Anyone who failed to register violated the law, and, if he continued to practice after a certain date, he was liable to a severe penalty for every operation performed.

The state railroad commissioners reported a busy year ending in November, 1910. Numerous important matters had been before them continuously. Meet- ings were held at more than twenty cities in the state. Besides the regular meet- ings, extra and called sessions were held, the latter mainly to investigate acci- dents, damages, etc. During the year there were filed with the commissioner 147 complaints, ten against express companies, fourteen against telephone com- panies and 123 against railroad companies. These cases were disposed of as follows: Eighty-four were satisfied, thirty-one were still pending, fourteen were dismissed for want of jurisdiction, and the others were in various stages of procedure.

In May, 1909, the railroad commissioners opened negotiations with the dif- ferent express companies in reference to putting in force tariffs or rates which had been previously adopted. The Wells-Fargo Company contended that, as it had not transacted business in the state prior to May 1, 1909, and had no schedule of rates in force here on January 1, 1909, the act did not apply to that company. At this time the express companies went into the United States Cir- cuit Court and filed bills in equity, alleging that the board of railroad com- missioners not only had no jurisdiction to make a complete schedule of express rates, but that the tariff of ratcs promulgated was so low that if put into effect it would amount practically to confiscation of the property of the express com- panies. Judge Carland rendered the opinion of the Federal Court. Similar cases equally complex, perplexing and difficult were heard over railroad, tele- phone and telegraph rates and operations.

The law of 1909 gave the board of railroad commissioners jurisdiction and control of telephone companies, and required that such companies, within sixty days after the act went into effect, should file with the state board copies of all franchises, contracts and agreements, together with schedules of rates and charges for rental of telephones. Few companies complied with these require- ments. Accordingly a circular letter demanding complaint action was sent to all the telephone companies that were known to exist in the state. This letter brought the desired responses from nearly all. The rural lines throughout the state had increased to an enormous extent. There were more than one hundred different organizations operating telephone lines. Many of the lines were short and small in area and were built for the personal convenience and business

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

advantage of groups of farmers. Often they were connected with exchanges in the nearest towns. The railroad commissioners at this time recommended many changes in the laws governing telephone companies. Legislation on this subject was comparatively new, and owing to the sudden and rapid development of the lines which were difficult to locate and ascertain, what laws were needed by the companies and were necessary for their control by the state board could not at once be forecast. An important recommendation was that all who refused to comply with the provisions of the law should be subject to a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 at the discretion of the court. The law provided that the company itself was liable, but did not provide that the officers and agents should be punished for participation in the infractions of the law.

The department of history was established in January, 1901. Ten years later the department was placed under the direct control and management of the governor. The secretary of the department of history was chosen by the execu- tive committee of the State Historical Society. Doane Robinson, who had occu- pied that position since the foundation of the department, was continued in that office. By January, 1911, the department had five branches: (1) historical society ; (2) state library; (3) state census; (4) vital statistics ; (5) legislative reference. The appropriations for the department from year to year were as follows: 1901, $500; 1902, $500, 1903, $2,700; 1904, $2,900; 1905, $3,520; 1906, $3.520; 1907, $5,620; 1908, $5,620; 1909, $6,360. The intention of the authori- ties in 1911 was to make the department one of the regular branches of the state government, giving the governor authority to appoint the secretary and giving the state government power to manage the department. Previous to this time the state authorities had no power over the management of the department after making the necessary appropriations. The historical society was similar to that in Wisconsin and Minnesota and was satisfactory to the people of the state. It had made valuable collections of books and relics, and had gathered an important reference library including many newspaper files and the records of many societies and other organizations throughout the state. An important and enlarged feature were the vital statistics which were kept up to date and were thorough and elaborate.

In 1911 the new bureau of immigration undertook among other tasks to secure more teachers for the public schools. There was a great shortage of competent instructors. The bureau sent inquiries to all parts of the state and succeeded in the end in filling over one hundred vacancies by a little judicious advertising. It also undertook to advertise thoroughly the products of the state at the State Fair. The year 1911 was extremely bad in most parts of the state. The crops were cut down notably by drouth and other causes, but the bureau suc- ceeded in gathering from all parts of the state enough products to make a most creditable display. Particularly from the southeastern part of the state came exhibits that compared favorably with those of any state in the Union. All counties prepared to make much larger and better exhibits in 1912.

Before this date the bureau contracted for space in the United States Land and Irrigation Exposition at Chicago and in the Northwestern Land Products Exposition at St. Paul. This necessitated hard work and great effort and skill on the part of the bureau to make a display that would compare well with all the other western states. As the year 1911 gave the poorest crops in history, the

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task of securing a creditable exhibit was very difficult but after hard work and much diligence, a splendid exhibit was secured for both shows. When the Chi- cago show ended the St. Paul show began, and the products exhibited at Chi- cago were the same as those exhibited at St. Paul. It took quick work to pack up and make both points, but this was accomplished satisfactorily and both exhibits were highly creditable. At Chicago over three hundred and twenty thousand people passed through the gates and at St. Paul about ninety-three thou- sand. The bureau during these displays secured the names and addresses of thousands of people who desired to know more about South Dakota, its climate, and its products.

Succeeding these displays, another method of advertising the state was put into execution, but had been designed before. It was to run a train in conjunc- tion with six other northwestern states through the eastern states and to take along demonstrators and special car exhibits. The cost to South Dakota was $1,500, and no provision had been made for this expense, but the bureau did not hesitate. It called upon the business houses, public institutions, and commercial clubs and all responded liberally and enabled South Dakota to be represented in this "Governor's Special Train." Aberdeen headed the subscription with $500. The train left St. Paul November 27 and returned on December 14, after passing through eastern states which had a population of 20,000,000. Prof. J. T. Sarvis, of the Agricultural College, accompanied the exhibit as demonstrator, and Gov. R. S. Vessey was present to address the audiences. On this trip about ninety-one thousand people visited the train and examined the exhibits. Thousands of additional names of people who wished to learn more of South Dakota were secured.

During the land shows at Chicago and St. Paul, the state commissioner delivered daily lectures of forty minutes duration regarding the state and its resources. He had colored and uncolored slides to illustrate his addresses, and more than ten thousand people saw the pictures and listened to the remarks. At these shows the bureau distributed 100,000 pieces of advertising matter which explained the desirability of residence in South Dakota and described its products. It can be said with truth that the exhibit of South Dakota at Chicago, St. Paul and on the Governor's Special Train, was fully up to the standard of the other states represented. The names received numbered over seven thousand six hun- dred. They were classified and special literature was sent to each class. Among them were bankers, agriculturalists, horticulturalists, merchants, manufacturers and professional men. The importance of this method of advertising was the exhibit of actual products and the explanations and pictures which illustrated fully all the good qualities of South Dakota and of the other western states. From this time forward the commissioner kept a comprehensive and thorough grasp upon all measures that would assist in advertising to the world what South Dakota could produce. He found upon investigation that there was no cohesion between the different business pursuits of the state for the purpose of advertising the products or of uniting in securing the best results in production. To overcome this objection a large meeting was held at Aberdeen in March, 1912. It was called the State Builders' Meeting. So thoroughly was this meeting advertised that there were present nearly one thousand delegates representing almost every part of the state and every business pursuit. Sectional meetings for each interest

SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

were held in the forenoons, and all united at the sessions in the afternoons and evenings. Mutual interests were discussed, and all were asked to make concessions and assist in a concerted movement to build up the state. This meeting resulted in the organization of the State Development Association, composed of the varied industries of the state, each of which was represented on the executive commit- tee of the organization. The state was subdivided into districts and in each was organized a district subdevelopment association. At first this result was effected in seven districts, and the meeting showed excellent work and results. The object of the association was to take charge of all movements that seemed likely to. assist in building up the state. Among the special movements were those to stimulate better farming, to secure new industries, to foster good roads, to pre- pare for better exhibits at state and county fairs, and, in short, to aid and encourage every effort to increase the population and build up the business inter- ests of the state. Steps to secure funds with which to make outside exhibits were taken.

With the spring of 1912 came redoubled efforts. One of the first was to assist in securing good seed of all kinds. West of the Missouri River the im- portant problem was to secure any good seed at all, because the crops of the previous year had been nearly a failure. East of the river the problem was to secure such seed as would germinate and make a good crop. The bureau communicated with commercial clubs, boards of county commissioners, news- papers, railroad officials and settlers in all parts of the state to learn their wants, facilities and desires concerning good seed. The result was that all portions of the state were supplied through the efforts of the bureau mainly with an abun- dance of good seed for all products that could be grown here. This work alone by the bureau was worth to the state far more than had been appropriated by the Legislature for the maintenance of the department. At this time also the bureau began a systematic study and an intelligent method of advertising through newspapers and other periodicals, and the circulation of pamphlets outside where they would do the most good. The prospects for good crops in the spring of 1912 were excellent. Accordingly the bureau redoubled its efforts to repre- sent the state properly before the country. Thousands of names were secured, letters and circulars were sent out and many replies were received, showing that homeseekers were interested in changing locations. The result was a consider- able increase in land sales and prices throughout the entire state.

During the early part of 1912 the commissioner attended and addressed forty- two celebrations and gatherings in different parts of the state, on all branches of South Dakota industry. The burden of his speech was "Better and Greater South Dakota." As the summer progressed the attention of the bureau was directed to the harvesting operations. There had ever been much trouble to secure harvest hands and afterwards to market the crop promptly owing to lack of cars. The bureau took up these problems and assisted in solving them to the satisfaction of all concerned. Fifteen thousand men were required in the harvest fields to save the crop. The bureau did much to supply these men. The commissioner said: "I sincerely believe that instead of great army and navy academies, the Federal Government should establish and maintain in each state national schools of agriculture .. We should have our boys taught the best sys- tems of agriculture, by the best men that money can secure. Our State Col-

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lege of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts is doing a valuable work, but their efforts should be supplemented and enlarged by a national school of agriculture. If it is important to do this, they should support the state college with competent men and money, and thus so equip our state schools that they can take up and make practical the most difficult problems of agriculture. This is not a local matter. It is nation wide in its scope. The high cost of living is proof of this. If we were able to make two blades of grass grow where one grew before, we would be able to double our production and do it with practically the same amount of labor we now perform. It is a question of scientific tillage of the soil, storing and transferring products, and manufacturing them into foodstuffs. By doing this the Federal Government will be assisting in solving the problem of high cost of living. , It will assist each state in developing its own powers and resources. People who are now ekeing out an existence in the overcrowded cities will be seeking farm homes. The untilled lands of the great western states will be occu- pied and each commonwealth will be a more valuable member of the state sister- hood. South Dakota is capable of supporting treble the population they now have and still be uncrowded. When we are able to show immigrants that they can live in this state in greater prosperity than elsewhere, we will prove to be the magnet of greater power. Many prospective settlers through their timidity hesitate to come into a new country, but if we can tell them that assistance in the way of instruction in the best methods of handling their lands will be given them, they will be willing to make the effort and our state will get the benefit from the incoming new settlers."

The bureau called to the attention of the public the inspection system em- ployed by the land department of the Government. The bureau declared that the system of inspection did not accomplish what it should. The prime object of the inspector was to see that no homesteader was able to prove up on his land with- out conforming to the rules and regulations of the interior department. The commissioner insisted that instead of this system of espionage, there should be encouraged a system of assistance for the homesteader. Instead of trying to find flaws in the homesteader's efforts, he should be aided in perfecting his claim. It would be better to aid and encourage him rather than find fault and discourage him. As it was the inspectors paid little attention to the difficulties encountered by homesteaders, all of which militated against their efforts to prove up the claims and perfect their homestead rights.

The bureau in all its movements took special pains to show up the mineral wealth of the state. The precious metals, valuable clays, building stones, artesian system, and health resorts were advertised to the public on all occasions. The national forests, the wild game and the beautiful scenery were also dwelt upon with much emphasis. Thus the Bureau of Immigration of South Dakota by the fall of 1912 had accomplished a great deal for the upbuilding of the common- wealth, and had repaid the state ten times more than it had cost thus far.

For the biennial period ending June 30, 1912, the department of game and fish was exceedingly prosperous and promising. In June, 1912, the third annual report of the warden was submitted to Governor Vessey. The report pointed out that the laws were more or less inadequate to meet the designs of the department ; that hunting during the past season, owing to the great drouth, was not satisfactory; and that little had been done in the way of propagating

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game other than putting out 200 pairs of Chinese ring-neck pheasants in 19II. The license law was sufficient and really protected the game intended. A fish hatcher was needed in the eastern part of the state. The total receipts of the department for the fiscal year ending June 30th were $36,375. The disbursements were $4,650. This left a large surplus in the treasury. The fund was increas- ing at the rate of about twenty thousand dollars a year. The warden estimated at this time that by January 1, 1913, there would be at least forty thousand dollars of the state game fund in the treasury. The department pointed out that this money could be wisely used in the propagation of game and fish and in taking care of them. At this time there were in operation county game warden systems which were not altogether satisfactory in enforcing the game and fish laws. Too much local politics entered into this office, and too many evasions or violations of the law were manifest. Numerous recommendations for new laws or amend- ments of old ones were now made to the Legislature by the department. As a whole the department was prosperous. Among the recommendations were the following: County boards to name suitable candidates for county game wardens ; issuance of resident and non-resident hunting licenses and fishing licenses; an increase in the wages of county game wardens; improvement in the law relating to the size of fish that might be caught at different seasons ; concerning seines and fish traps and licenses for their use; appropriating the state game fund for the improvement of the system of protecting and propagating game; provisions for proper game reserves on public land; game parks or seclusions ; fish hatcheries, etc.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 82

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146