Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1895-01-18


lature, bills of extreme length having
already been introduced in both senate
and house, which are the product of
the Jobbers' Union of Sioux Falls, re-
lating to railroad passenger and freight
rates in the state, which bill also gives
the railroad commissioners more power.
A bill has also been introduced by Mr..
Kelley which compels railroads to sell
mileage books good in the state for one
year at the rate of 21s cents a mile,
and that not more than cents mile
can be charged for any distance within
the state. For violation of this law the
bill imposes fine of not less than
$500 nor more than $1,000.
Another important bill introduced
in the senate is one compelling county
treasurers at the beginning of each
year to designate banks inithe county
in which he is to deposit county funds,
and compelling said banks, if they
accept the funds, to pay 3 per cent.
interest per annum upon the funds.
A bill fixing salaries of the county
treasurer and register of deeds has
been introduced. It provides that
counties having population] of 5000
or more shall pay a salary of $1,000 per
annum, and the register of deeds $500,
and 500 additional to each of those
officers for each 200 additional popu-
lation, the treasurer not to receive
more than s1,S0O per annum nor the
register more than s1,5OO.
Senator McGee has introduced bill
giving the authorities power to exempt
property from taxation. This bill is
similar to many others prepared by
Thomas G. Shearman, of New York,
for various states, really embodying
the single tax theory.
A senate bill has been introduced by
Senate Wheelock, of Codington county
relating to the protection of fish in
streams and lakes, which is likely to
arouse as much animosity among the
miners and saw mill men as the New
land bill Of. two years ago. The bill
prohibits the fouling of streams with
sawdust or other matter that tends to
destroy fish.
Senator Howard has introduceda u bill
to amend the law SO that the growth of
trees, vines or shrubbery shall not be
considered as increasing the value of
real estate, but the land shall be valued
and assessed the same as though devoid
of such trees.
A bill providing for the organization
and government of state banks, and
to provide for the supervision of all
banks, corporations or individuals
receiving money for investment has
been introduced by Senator Aplin.
1t is probable that bill will be
introduced providing that county
officers shall give bonds through guar
tee companies of unquestionable safety
the same as express companies now
require of their employees.
Senator Wilson secured the passage
of the first measure through the senate
and house, and obtained the governors
signature without delay. 1t was the
joint resolution Offering $1,000 reward
for the return to the state of the body
of defaulting Ex-State Treasurer
Taylor.
Representative Dickover is likely to
have his hands full during the session
as chairman of the railroad committee,
as some very lengthy bills have already
been introduced, and more are to
follow.
The members and employees are now
wondering how they are going to get
through the session without funds,
since Taylor has skipped with every
thing. Many plans for replenishing
the treasury have been suggested but
none have yet been formulated into a
bill. The resources of the great state
of South Dakota are certainly vast
enough to assure absolute security in
all warrants that are issued.
There is some talk that this legis-
lature may recommend a constitutional
convention, to be voted upon by the
electors ut the next general election
and if majority favor such convention
the next legislature will call the consti.
tutional convention. It is agreed that
the constitution needs changing in
several particulars-so many in fact
that convention is quite necessary.
There are some who favor it in order
that the prohibition question may be
settled in the election of delegates to
the convention instead of having il
charged up as party measure in the
contest before the legislature for SUBJ
mitting the question to the people.
Should the resubmission question fail
to pass when it comes to vote, the
proposition of constitutional con.
vention would then, doubtless, carry.