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Father Robert Haire was one of Aberdeen's most controversial characters. He was the father of the initiative and referendum process that gave us term limits, dove hunting and Daylight Saving Time.
Father Robert Haire was one of Aberdeen's most controversial characters. He was the father of the initiative and referendum process that gave us term limits, dove hunting and Daylight Saving Time.

Credit Or Blame The Aberdeen Priest

Feb 21, 2017

South Dakota was the first state to allow voters to enact or block laws through the initiative and referendum process. Since then, we the people have passed laws on corporate farms, Right to Work, term limits, Daylight Saving Time, the minimum wage, nuclear waste and even dove hunting.

Our process of voter-enacted laws and referendums is getting a lot of attention in this year’s legislative session in Pierre. Depending on your point of view, you can credit or blame a Catholic priest from Aberdeen for all the fuss. Father Robert Haire is known as the father of the initiative and referendum. Born in Michigan in 1845, he grew up in an Irish Presbyterian family. He taught school as a young man and boarded with an Irish Catholic family who inspired him to convert in 1865. He eventually entered the seminary, became a priest and then headed west to Brown County, Dakota Territory with several of his parishioners, arriving on June 26, 1880. The next day he said his first Mass in a sod shanty, and began to plan for Brown County's first Catholic Church.

He founded a school, Presentation Academy, in 1888. And he became the state leader of the Knights of Labor, as well as the group’s newspaper editor. From there his political involvement blossomed. He was active in the Dakota Farmers Alliance, a group created to protect farmers' interests from politicians, corporations and railroads. Haire directed the Alliance's political wing, which later become the Populist Party. He advocated the idea of the initiative and referendum for years before it became a part of the Populists' platform.

Haire distrusted politicians and felt strongly that citizens should also have the ability and right to propose laws without having to go through elected representatives. In an 1891 issue of the Dakota Ruralist he wrote: "These men make the laws to suit themselves — are a law to themselves. The people seldom get any law passed they want."

South Dakota became the first state to adopt the initiative and referendum process in 1898, passing easily on the same ballot that re-elected South Dakota's Populist Governor Andrew E. Lee. Twenty-six states now allow some variation of the initiative and referendum.

Father Haire left other notable legacies in Aberdeen, including the creation of Northern State University, originally Northern Normal and Industrial School, in 1901. Today a memorial to Father Haire stands on campus.

As a political and religious leader during tumultuous times in our state's history, Haire made friends and enemies. He spoke his mind even when he knew it might antagonize Bishop Martin Marty or his own parishioners. He eventually was dismissed by Marty for his radical views. He remained a priest but could not practice. Later, Bishop O'Gorman reinstated him and appointed him chaplain to the Presentation Sisters, a role he served for the remainder of his life. After Haire’s death in 1916, O'Gorman wrote this epitaph: "He had been in earlier years, when the State was still in the pioneer stage, a most zealous missionary. I believe that the last ten peaceful years of his life and his happy death were rewards of the good and fruitful work of the early years."

Comments

01:36 pm - Wed, July 5 2017
Katie, I'm working on a blog for the website managed by Dr. Neville Kelly.
Perhaps I could just have the whole article sent to the readers--connecting it with me, a Benedictine from Aberdeen, whose grandfather knew and admired Fr. Haire when he was pastor there. Or did I tell you this already? Being "chronologically gifted" as Abbot Adrian, our chaplain put it--I consider myself overgifted as I have that short memory loss others who are gifted but disabled as I can't recall what they (I) did yesterday--and sometimes only a half hour ago.

This nun was proudly shown an item picturing the church and pastor one time.
I, personally, so admire him as a great priest (before my time) who had the right idea of what one does to secure justice--to let the people decide some issues! That the legislature wants to do away with initiative and certainly retain the right to veto anything using that process, says it isn't at all in sync with South Dakotans.

I'd really like to send your great article to certain individuals on my contact list.
Do I have your permission to do that? Maybe will also acquaint them with the South Dakota Magazine if not already a subscriber.

Now--an apology. If I've written all this before--forgive. Pushing 90 inhibits one's ability, all too often, to accept the brain's slight "alterations." So... forgive.
Blessngs,
S. Ann K.
09:51 am - Mon, July 10 2017
Henry Winckler said:
Extremely interesting article and am most interested in your blog, Sr Ann, our historian. Conservative hierarchs today frequently repeat Republican talking points and have little knowledge of Catholic social justice teaching. We need another
Fr. Haire or Sr Justice. Thanks Ann. Keep up the great work.
03:15 am - Fri, September 27 2019
Patrick Mears said:
Dear Ms. Hunoff, I hope that you are able to receive this email. My great-grandparents emigrated from Ireland in the 1850s, settled in Flint, Michigan and became members of St. Michael Parish, where Fr. Haire later became its pastor. My great-grandfather, Patrick Mears, died in 1876 and Fr. Haire composed his will, acted as the executor of his estate and gave him the last rites. I am curious about your comment that Fr. Haire had boarded with an Irish Catholic family in Flint before he converted to the Roman Catholic faith. Do you happen to know the name of that family and, if so, could you please send that name on to me via email at the above address. Thank you very much and best wishes, Patrick Mears

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