Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-02-16
LEGISLATIVE NEWS.
What our Representatives are Doing al
Pierre, as Reported by O Chron-
icle Correspondent.

have made large degree OF progress in
the consideration Of measures before
them. Perhaps the most interesting and
exciting event of the week was the agi-
talion of the matter Of memorial 10
congress asking for the free coinage of
the house, and next day reconsidered
and again passed with an amendment
providing that the free coinage be limit
ed to the American product. The mem
orial was then sent to the senate where,
after a full discussion further consider
alton was deferred until Feb. 2lst
Among the speeches made special men,
ton is due that by Senator Bennett Of
Hughes, who said that mt this time
when South Dakota had an empty
treasury and was looking TO the capital.
lists OF the east, il was very poor pcicy
to send such memorial TO Congress.
Look at the matter as We may, we must
remember that the investors regard
agitation for free silver ns looking toward
partial reputation, and under the cir
cuRlstances borrowing becomes an i'm
possibility. The credit of the state at
this time is none TO good, and this
memorial would only make it worse in
the eyes OF the eastern capitalists.
Senator Crawford's amendment for
striking the word male out Of the con-
sitution has passed the senate by vote
of 81 to 8, but it is apprehended that it
will find rocky road to travel in the
house.
Tie supreme court, in response to a
request from Governor Sheldon, has
given a very important decision with
reference to the consttutionality Of the
law for the issuance Of warrants based
upon revenues assessed but not yet col
lected. 1t IS the intention of the treas
urer to issue s300,000 of additional
warrants in order to gain money for
current expense The supreme court
holds that such n law does not create
debt within the limits Of the constitu
ton. and that the warrants issued un-
der this law would be valid upon the
state. Treasurer Phillips has already
sold large block Of these warrants aud
the state is now able 10 meet its obligs-
tions as fast AS warrants are issued.
The debate in the senate over the
amendment Of the divorce law was one
of the most interesting discussions of the
session. The present law does not per-
nit a ltigant TO petition the conrt for
divorce until he shall have been resi-
dent Of the state for six months. The
amendment will allow action TO be be-
gun regardless Of time Of residence, but
still provides that decree may not
issne until the applicant has been for
six months resident of the state.
Senator Allison attempted TO secure an
amendment providing that one years
residence shall be required before the
| petition may be presented TO the court,
th 1t the applicant must declare that he
| intends To remain in the state, that he
is bona fidc resident thereof and has
! not come for the purpose Of securing a
divorce only. This amendment was
| five absentees, and the reconsideration
was adopted that the bill pass. Senator
Aplin's amendment that where personal
service can oe secured one years resi-
dence shall be required before decree
may issue. strengthens the present law.
Senator's Rice, Aplin, Peace and Wilson
spoke in behalf Oft the bill, Oleson, Loti,-
ian and Doran against it.
A great deal of interest was taken in
the house over house bill 1888. introduc.
ed by Mr.. Donohue, which proposes to
amend the prohibition law Of 1890. The
bill defines that any liquors, by what
ever name called, which contain 4 per
cent alcohol shall be deemed to be in
toxicating liquors When the bill came
up for passage, the prohibition members
thought they had discovered great big
colored gentleman in very small wood
pile. They hold that the passage Of this
law would legalize the free and unlimit-
ed sale of beer and the lighter wines,
which would mean open saloons every
where. Mr.. Donohue, on tie other
hand, declared that the hill was in the
interest Of Temperance, that at the
present time it was impossible to get the
bum to swear that he had taken intoxi-
eating liquors. hut under this laS a
chemical analysis would be positive
evidence in the premises, and he earn
estly implored temperance men before
going home to do something in the line
Of real temperance legislation. His
| plea VAS of no avail, and the bill Was
rejected by decisive vote of 81 tosfsv
The big railroad bill is still unreport.
ed. The Sioux Falls jobbers, with Judge
Palmer as their attorney, had hearing
before the joint committee of the two
houses Friday night, and Judge Pa'meI
had two hours hearing on the merits
OF the bill and the constitutionality oi
the measure giving railway commissions
ers full powers to fix rates and enforce
their DEGREES. In the house next day
Lucas offered resolution calling on the
railroad committee to report the bill moi
later than February l8. Mr.. Dickover
chairman Of the committee, declared
that they could not get ready to report
the bill by that time. Parker and Gould
assisted him in the discussion, while
Glass. Lucas and Dowdell maintained
thar the committee should be required
to report at that time.
Several bills haye been introduced FOL
the safe keeping of county funds. On
Saturday the house passed bill. which
was substitute for all pending bills
aud provides that the chairman Of the
board Of county commissioners. ths
clerk Of the court and the register o.
deeds shall be . board whose duty i
shall be to designate in what banks thu
county money shall be deposited. Ths
equity treasurer may not at any tins
have more than one half OF the count,