Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-01-15
EditnriaI Notes.


great odds. Thus far the fusionists In
the house have devoted more OF their
time TO keeping their forces intact pend
ing the approaching election Of United
States senator than they have to dis
charging the many other duties required
Of them in the interest OF their consti-
Ituency. After the choosing of a senator,
however, better work may be expected
from this body.
Up to the present time the republican
members have made every decisive move
in the way OF retrenchment. The very
first bill introduced was by Senator
Washabaugh to have the legislature adj
journed February Ia, and Immediately
following this Representative Gardner Of
Pennington introduced resolution in
the house to suspend the Journal clerk
from the pay roll until the necessary
books arrived for said official, which car
ried by If majority, nearly all the in
dependents Performers, if you please)
voting against the temporary abolition
of the office.
Senator Potter is peer of any of our
young statesmen, and is Distinguishing
himself by putting such popular meas
ures before the Legislature it is more
than probable that every one will carry
with but slight opposition. Yesterday
he introduced strong resolution urging
our representatives and senators in con-
gress to exert themselves to have TT.
Meade enlarged to twenty company
garrison. Today Mr.. Potter introduced
senate bill No. Is, which empowers
states attorneys to appoint deputy
and he also introduced bill No. IL,
which provided for levying tax of 2
per cent on the net earnings of all ex-
press companys doing business in South
Dakota. This is an excellent starter for
a man who has had no Legislative exper-
fence.
Mr.. Putnam has not as yet had an OPP
portunity to make any very decisive
movements owing to the way matters
stand in the house, while Mr.. Cooper is
regarded by the fusionists as a giant,
especially in the manipulating of the po-
litical wires.
There was an unexpected scene in the
house of representatives yesterday after
noon. Mr.. Converse, of Jerauld, is an
independent. He voted for Seward for
speaker; but greatly against his inclina-
ton, for he is strong prohibitionist,
while Mr.. Seward is an ultra high IL
cense advocate, and was elected to the
house by combination of republicans,
democrats, and re-submissionists. But
for Mr.. Converse's vote Mr.. Seward
could not have been chosen speaker.
Yesterday Mr.. Converse nominated Mr..
Eastman for Journal clerk-Mr. East
man being the caucus nominee for chief
clerk, and defeated by Mr.. Cone, the re-
publican nominee. The democrats inn
mediatelv named one of their own party
for the same position, the republicans
doing the same and later withdrawing
him in favor of Eastman. When a vote
was taken, a number Of independents,
who had voted for Eastman changed to
the democrat, who was elected. This
result sur prised and offended Mr.. Con-
verse who instantly arose and said in
substance:
s'Mr. Speaker, T consider the interest
of my constituents as paramount to the
interests of any party; but prefer to
vote with my party, when by doing SO
the best good of my constituents can be
preserved.
''Glided by this principal felt called
upon to vote for one candidate in the or
ganization OF this house that was moi
supported by the other members of my
party. I today thought to place in an
other position the gentleman that was
defeated earlier in the session for place
within the gift of this house.
81 consider the action of the members
of the independent and democratic party
in defeating as they have Mr.. Eastman
personal insult to myself, and as al
effort to publicly rebuke me for having
taken the position conscientiously tool
for the officer referred to in the origina
organization of the house.
81 wish it distinctly understood that
am not bound by pledges to any part.
or set of men, and that henceforth
shall be free man, acting at all time
!. for the best interests of my constituents
according to my best judgement am
5 understanding.
This unexpected turn in affairs almos
;. severed the bonds of friendship tina
9 exist between the Independents an
democrats, and from indications tonigh
4 the wound will never heal.
J, The ssball" on the re-submission ques
ton is now on, Schnauber OF Yankto
J, introducing bill No. 8, for amendmer
r of the prohibition law. Converse move
J, to indefinitely postpone, but the fathe