Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-20
DAKOTA L~naIsLATuRE.
Thireaenth Aesslon...Dasly Reper1 OF tho
Proceedings Of tho Councll and
~ i House Of Representatives..
8 v e Day
MMR

GENERAL COMMENTS.
The legislature will be asked to pass a law
permitting the counties through whichgit is
proposed tosbspild't the Minneapolis 4 Dsko-
Ia Northern narrow gauge railroad, hearti.
cles Of Incorporation Of which we're filed
in the secretary's Office to-day, to issueb bonds
to aid the enterprise. Aside from the ques-
tionable legality Of such an enactment, we
believe the sentiment of a majority of the
legislature is averse to any such ltegisiation.
Bills were introduced in the council on
Saturday for therepeal Of seotions427 of the
penal code, and for the amendment Of sec.
ton 100 Of the civil code. The section Of
the penal code sought to be repealed makes
the taking Of a u%surious rate Of interest =
misdemeanor; and section HOO of the civil
code provides for the forfeiture of interest
where a higher rate than twelve per cent
is taken or contracted for. There
Is . decided sentiment among certain mem.
bers III favor Of making ,our interest laws
more liberal, and the doing away with oil
penalties for contracting and receiving
any rate of interest which the borrower lie
willing to pay. 1t is claimed that the price
for the use of money, like produce. should
be regulated by the law Of supply and de-
mand; that In a territory like ours, with
widely separated communities. with varied
and dlssimilar interests, a uniform law up
on thelsahjsctof iNqrestgi " Apsa'istactbry
and Injurious to the industrial interests Of
some parts of the territory. For instance,
in the Black Hills where money is loaned
for the purchase, development and working
ofmineral hands, aud fol use in other haz-
atdous. transactions incident to- a mining
coi1iinsfy, tits wdfIh-more than aericul.
,ural o manufacturing communities;
and as &speciai laws to suit
the demands's hf each community can.
not be passed, it il urged that the present
laws should be so amended as to make tie
rate offsiinterest depend upep the contract en-
tered into by the lender and borrower.
This sentiment will Of course meet with de-
c,ded opposition, and, this, opposition may
be! strong enough to defeat any proposition
to change the present system.
Charles E. Simmonds,. Of the Chicago &
Northwestern railroad company, has inter-
viewed many of our legislators upon the
subject Of railroad Legislation and has given
them a fair idea Of what will be asked for
by outside corporations. A general law is
wanted, liberal enough in its provisions to
enable the schemes now under consideration
to be carried, out. There is every indica'
ton that Dakota will, next season, become
the scene of the ~liveliest railroad op sration
that have been known for years. All III,
great corporations of Illinois, Wisconsin
and Minnesota are looking Dakotaward
and they are depending IN the present leg
~islature to give them such laws as will ens.
bic them to do their part toward., develop.
ingthe territory.
,G..H. Wicklin. Of Hanalin county, 10 day
presented his :cledentials, % the man elected
to represent the scounties Of Ham,in;SsDeue
Grant and Coding,on... and urge their
claims before the legislature. These foui
counties were unorganized ct The time the
last .appoltionmcnt was. made aud were
unprovided with representation. They
have since filled up and NOW contain one
thousand homesteaders, OF a population Of
not less than four thousand people. They ask
through Mr., Wieklin, that they have the
privilege Of the floor and be permitted to
place their claims before the representatives
Of the people Of the territory. Mr.. Wick.
lin is here for that purpose and it eeems but
Just that the claims Of his constituents re.
ceive all the recognition which can be
legally granted. They are a part of the
people of Dakota and are interested in all
Legislation. to be enacted this session. More
particularly are they ih.eelaested in legislation
needed for their locality and this they have
entrusted to the gentlemen who, represents
them.