Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-01-17

SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE,

IlfkHE, -. H., jan. u - 10 ttCOuu ktu
eral assembly of South Dakota convened
In biennial session today at the state house
and both branches at once organized fot
work. The chief cl ERIK called the house to
order and Rev. Lands, of Pierre delivered
an eloquent prayer. The roll call showed
all present except Beach Of Clark, an indie
pendent. The oath of Office was admins
tered 10y Judge Kellam of the supreme
bench. The house then proceeded to or
gauize by the republicans putting in nomi-
nation X. Buchanan, of Sioux Falls, and
the Independents &. y. Seward, of Water.
town, for speaker. The vote taken showed
that Seward had so votes and Buchanan 81,
every member present voting and the In
dependents and democrats voting together,
excep that Goddard, the Fall River dem.
ocrat, and Reese, the Charles Mix indie
pendent, voted with the republicans.
The election of speaker by the independ
ents and democrats gives them control OF
the house contest cases that will be
brought mp. There are twelve that may
be decided In their favor.
After the senate had adjourned 1t met
with the house and the message of Cover
nor Arthur G.. Mellette was presented by
him. The governor was In his best form
and spoke with foi ce and precision.
When the result was announced there
was only moderate applause, everybody
seemingly being taken by surprise. 1t was
generally thought that the repu blicans
had amply su efficient Independents to vote
with them to give u safe majority. Mr.
Seward on being escorted to the chair
gave a short address which was well de-
livered and well received. He stated
upon taking the chair that he laid all poll
tics aside and would treat all fairly. The
ho use nd journsd until 4 o'clock.
AT the second meeting the house pro
,nAdAI NJ Anna IN tho alanfinn nf CHIEF
clerk. Norton, of Minnehaha, placed Z.
w. Cone, Of Brule, in nomination on be-
half of the republicans, and knippe, OF
Bro kings, named w. W.. Eastman, OF
Beadle, on behalf of the independents.
The votes showed Cone elected by a vote
of 63 to g. At this failure of independents
and democrats to follow up the victory
gained in the election of speaker
the republicans shouted themselves
hoarse. Cones election was made posi-
BILE by the vote of Bowel, of Lake, a we'll
known independent elected at a special
election, who was said 10 have pledged
himself to support Trip In order to Sc.
cure the democratic support. Bowel
claims lie voted for Cone in order to eX-
pedite business, AS he will assist the
speaker, which is true. Converse, of Jer-
auld an independent, also voted for Cone.
PIERRE, Jan, THE house met at III
this morning. After the opening Beach, OF
Clark, the only member absent yesterday,
was sworn in and the house proceeded TO
the election of officers. Dell Coy, of
Hughes, democrat, was elecued assistant
clerk. Clark, democrat, was elected sec
ond assistant clerk. Henry Sepatz, OF
Innkton, was elected bill clerk. Hart
Barton, of Bon Homme. democrat, the only
nominee, was elected sergeant at arms by
IA vote of il9, 8 not voting. III. Il. Volkmar,
of Grant, Independent democrat, was
named for engrossing clerk and received
"a votes, and Scott White, of Webster, 90.
The senate met at , o'clock this after
noon. Rules were presented by unani-
nous agreement of the committee and
we're adopted with only "a few minor
changes from last year. The senate
named a committee on joint rules as fol-
lows: Senators Sheafe, of Coddington,
Jalley, OF Union, and French, OF Iankton.
The salaries of officers were fixed: The
secretary at - per day, the first assistant
at 70, the second at IS, the expressing
geant- alarms at a, the assistant at 81, the
postmaster and messenger at ~, the
Waterman and ~janitor at $3.50, the chap
lain at SO, and the pages at 81.
PIERRE, Jan. s.-Caucuses we're held by
the democrats and independents last night
for the consideration of committees
Nothing important transpired, and it is
reported that no understanding has yet
been reached as to IA division, whether
among the three parties or two. The re
publicans are making a strong effort foI
equal representation. The republicans
also had "A caucus this morning. Nothing
except parliamentary rules were consid-
cred. The republicans are sending word
alon : the line that from this on every
effort is to be for party success rather
than that of any man.
The house met at 2 this afternoon. s. b.
q rifith, Of Faulk, democrat, was nomi-
mated, and also W. w. Eastman, of Beadle,
AN independent. Eastman elected. The
speaker gave notice that he will announce
the standing committees tomorrow.
In the senate "a resolution was offered
al IN itting j. j.. Fletcher, elected from
Stanley county, not in any district, to the
geo~ ~ was referred. Senator wickham
introduced a resolution to the effect that
the interests of the state would be better
subserved by the presence and attention
of our United States senators and repre-
sentatives at the national capital al
this time. II was referred to the
committee on state officers. A
resolution by Senator Wasbabaugh fixing
February IA as the time when the legisla
ture shall adjourn, to go into effect al
soon as passed by both houses was referred
to the committee on state officers. A reso
luton was introduced by Senate Potter
asking the senators and representatives In
congress TO use their influence for the en-
%lnrgement and extension of Fort Mead. Ii
was referred to the committee on military
affairs. senator Mcfarland introduced {
resolution calling upon Congressman Pick
Ter TO exert his influence to nave the Indiar
Office changed in the war department
Senator ! reston introduced a bill
providing for the Australian ballot
C. Gl ..Iz.
similar bill. Senator Heintz offered 4
bill to auend sections IS, 20 and 81, o
article :, "a the constitution, to transfer
all probate business to the circuit court.
Referred to the judiciary committee. Sen,
ator Jolly offered an act relating to wall.
in common. Referred TO the judiciary
committee. Senator Peterman, a bill re
lating to the salaries of county auditors
one on the salary of register of deeds and
treasurers, and one on abstracts. Re
ferred to the committee On state officers
1t was noted as irregular this referr.n,
bills TO the committees before they has
been handed down.
PIERRE, Jan. 0.-There was a large at
tendance at tho meeting of the house thi
afternoon. The Office Of journal clerk, 4
which Mr.. Critic, of Faux, was yesterda,
elected, was for the present abolished. 4
joint resolution to al adjourn February j.
was LAID upon the table. House bill No
/, by or. S~chnauber, of Yankton, ~relatin,
to the mileage of members, was referred
Walker, of Charles Mix, introduced a res
~olution as follows:
Whereas, 1t has come to the knowledg,
of the house that numbers of mem Der,
have been repeatedly and continually an
noyed by approaches and evily-disposet
persons, and that brides rave been offered
unlawful promises made and improper In
ducements held ont to attempt to influenc,
the votes Of members in matters pertain
ing therein, and that,
Whereas, These corrupt offers hav,
been openly and almost publicly made
calling for Immediate a elton on our par
in defense ut the right and dignity of tn
house; therefore,
Resolved, That a committee be ap
pointed by the speaker to investigate tles
charges.
Lester, Of Brown; Richards, Of Brule
and Lane, Of Yankton, were namei a
such committee.
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