Letter of Transmittal. STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, To His Excellency, Hon. Andrew E. Lee, Governor of the State of South Dakota : DEAR SIR,-I have the honor to transmit herewith a report showing the official acts, and the receipts of the Insurance Department of the State of South Dakota for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1897, and the condition of insurance companies doing business in this state, as contemplated by Chapter 69 of the Session Laws of 1897, creating this department. This report is compiled from the records of the department turned over to me on the 1st day of July, 1897, by my predecessor in office, the Hon. H. E. Mayhew, State Auditor, and relates entirely to business transacted by himself and his predecessor in office. For that reason I have followed as closely as possible the forms and style of report heretofore used by the department and shall not presume to attempt any innovations in the manner of reporting upon its transactions until, by experience and study, I shall have become more fully acquainted with the methods of transacting the business, the demands of the people in relation thereto, and the rights of the companies whose business interests are inseparably connected with the proper discharge of my duties. For the reasons stated in the preceding paragraph, and for the further reason that I will be called upon to make another annual report before the meeting of the sixth session of the legislature, I shall refrain from making suggestions at this time in regard to legislation which would be advisable to enact in order to |