Populist Leaders Clash Over Corporate Tax Proposals
A Republican introduced bills to curb corrupt corporate practices and impose a franchise fee and capitalization tax, targeting wildcat corporations. One measure passed the legislature and was signed by the governor, but leaders from Populist circles opposed the effort as fraud against the unwary. Oil monopoly concerns arose in South Dakota over Standard Oil's dumped product, with a bill failing to improve quality and instead lowering grade after testing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Tate
South Dakota
Standard Oil Company
Great Trust
Populists rail against banks as bills curb money lenders
The Populist press decries banks and interest laws while lawmakers push measures to regulate lending. Several bills to protect borrowers failed, including notes tax, rate caps, and prohibitions on gold payments, with only one passing requiring mortgage copies to mortgagors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
Debates Over Safeguards Against Public Money Loss
Legislative efforts to tighten controls on public funds faltered as Populists invoked treasury abuses after the Taylor defalcation. Multiple bills proposed bonds for banks and treasurers, plus a national depository model, but none of notable impact passed. numerous House and Senate bills listed with sponsor names.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
National Depository Act
State bond security measures pass then die in voters
In a decisive turn the state shelved strong guardrails for bond security by making them permissive and effectively dead. Only two minor bills passed raising the treasurer’s bond to 400,000 and requiring county depository banks to post personal bonds and pay 2 percent on daily balances, but no bank accepted the terms, rendering the law a dead letter.
Discriminated for the Rich The Populists oppose tax escape
The Populists condemn lenient taxation for the rich while cattle kings evade taxes. Legislation to force assessment on cattle wealth and to allow semi annual tax collection was killed. A measure to tax elevators and warehouses failed, but a compromise tax bill passed. One third to one half of liquor license revenue would go to the state, with counties enforcing the law.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brule County
McPherson
Aurora
Lyman
Stanley
Deuel
Union
Labor's Demands and Populist Actions Under Scrutiny
A historical overview details the Populist legislature's handling of labor issues. Bills to hold employers liable for injuries were killed. anti Pinkerton measures failed. child labor in telegraph offices was blocked. a state goods bill to boost local purchasing was defeated. a proposed state printing office using convict labor passed only narrowly. only a minor mine cage regulation in the Black Hills became law amid party infighting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Friend of Labor
Pinkerton
Plankinton
State Reform School
Representatives of Organized Labor
Senate
House
Black Hills
Populists Spar Over State Expenditures and Salaries
The piece analyzes party proposals on state running expenses for 1895 and 1897, noting Republicans cut deficits while Populists increased appropriations. It highlights vetoes against salary raises, and cites numerous House and Senate bills aimed at consolidating offices and limiting costs amid a tense fiscal debate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lee
Wyman
Legislature Debates Pay, Referendum and Printing Bills
The article notes Speaker Colvin’s pay rise by 300 dollars and describes several measures. A referendum bill to let voters decide salaries failed. A Republican senator introduced a bill to curb state printing fraud and costs, while a county printing contracts bill was killed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colvin
Reform lawmakers toss offices in bid for power
The piece details abolished posts including quartermaster general and inspector general, creation of a military secretary to the governor with a 1000 dollar appropriation, and new roles like insurance commissioner and deputy oil inspector. It criticizes gerrymandered districts favoring Republicans over Populists, citing multiple counties and rules changes as evidence of biased reforms.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Purity in Politics and Populist Legislation Contradictions
The text criticizes Populist politics claiming promises of purity were not kept. It describes multiple reform bills blocked by Republicans and contrasts with passed measures like a gerrymander aimed at preserving Populist control and voter-disfranchising laws. It notes court reorganizations and failed proposals for elected judges and federal senate elections.
Political Upheaval and Legislation in Turbulent Session
The piece notes how the so called friends of the people blocked key reforms while passing minor measures. It highlights failed bills to shield poor defendants, limit land non residents ownership, require home county suits, curb court powers, protect children from adulterated candy, and penalize sheep theft. It lists passed items on food adulteration, party paper ownership, liquor licenses, trusts bans, school books, and farming safeguards including hog cholera, vetoed by a Republican senator.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Book Trust
Senator Gunderson
Claycount
Lee
Gerrymander Bill Questioned In State Legislature
The big gerrymander bill draws scrutiny as the state constitution guides the legislature. Analysts weigh potential implications for representation and political power within the upcoming session.
The Ruthless Machine and Populist Claims in Pierre
The piece argues Populist cries of purity in politics contrast with their winter 1987 plan in Pierre to seize spoils. It outlines proposed bills to expand the judiciary, create new circuits, regulate insurance, and empower officials to influence state institutions for partisan gain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pierre
Supreme Court
Plunder Bills Mapped for Populist Power in State
A detailed account of a Populist machine plan outlines bills to seize control of state offices, overhaul education, extend railway terms, disenfranchise voters, and reengineer districts. The scheme aims to place Populists in key positions, with threats against officials, the press, and university funding to enforce unity and punish dissent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Revenue Commission
Board of Regents
Northwest
Kyle
Secretar Ayres
Vermillion
Gilchrist
Hanson
Law bills and sponsors listed in legislative record
A sequence of bill numbers and sponsors appears: S. B. 45 by Mr. Gunderson. H. B. 312 by Mr. McWhorter. bill prepared by Mr. Cherry. H. B. 30 by Mr. Olson. S. B. 95 by Mr. Palmer. H. B. 286 by Mr. McManus. S. B. 1 by Mr. Palmer. S. B. 135 by Mr. Palmer. S. B. 32 by Mr. Chil. S. B. 235 by Elections Committee.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House Journal
Mr. Crill
Mr. Webb
Mr. Michaels
Mr. Whealey
Mr. Hoar
Mr. Wright
Mr. Glass
Mr. Gibbs
Mr. Schwartz
Mr. Palmér
Mr. Botham
Mr. Gunderson
Mr. Court
Mr. Weeks
Mr. Palmer
Mr. Burke
Mr. Peterson
S. B
Mr .Palmer
McWhorter
Mr. Cherry
Mr. Olson
Sheldon
Craig, Howell
Hal
H. B
Mr. McManus
Political battles outcry over char ities and reform agenda
A lengthy recount of legislative maneuvers shows Republicans resisting populist schemes, including attempts to oust elected Republicans, block charity employment changes, and promote a patronage trade. Court defeats topple two commissions while a sitting committee tekanan pressures lawmakers, amid protests and threats to ensure party gains.
Hypocrites Unmasked in South Dakota Reform Debacle 1897
A critical record condemns the 1897 fusion legislature in South Dakota, detailing hypocrisy and corruption. It accuses Populists and Democrats of betraying reform pledges, failing to curb corporate greed, expanding useless offices, and tolerating lobby influence while promising change. It notes the rise of a reform label masking self‑aggrandizement and calls the alliance a gold brick to the people.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colvin
Palmer
Dakota Territory
South Dakota
Party of Purity
Party of Reform
Pierre
Lrst
Also Mentioned on This Page
Treasury
Mr. Sheldon
Mr. Sage
Mr. Colvin
Mr. Sekler
Mr. Klinedt
Mr. Hart
Mr. Petersen
Mr. Hanse
Mr. Winslow
Mr. Cook
Mr. Dollard
Mr. Ebbert
Mr. Jones
Mr. Fairbank
Mr. Sorlie
Mr. Bruce
Mr. Downer
Mr. Case
Mr. Bouck
Mr. Stewart
Mr. Kidd
Mr. Guck
Com
Bookings College
McOrder of Representatives
Agriculural College
Burke
Union County
Ore
Congress
Mr. Gunnison
Somers
Olsen
Olson
Weeks
Brusseau
Committee On
Jucce Palmer
Board of Charities
Attorney General
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