Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1895-02-08
CAPITAL CHATTER.
Black Hills Statesmen Among the Most
Active Legislators.
PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA, T

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There have been more ideas advanced
/ through bills introduced in the legis-
lature for better security to public
funds, in state and county, than could
be crowded into several columns of
the STAR. The latest is bill in the
senate by Senator Wilson, and in the
house by Representative Hair, requir-
ing the state treasurer to give a bond
of $4,000 in some responsible guaranty
company, besides the regular surety
through bondsmen; and requiring
county treasurers to give 5000 bonds
through responsible guaranty COM
pany, besides their regular sureties as
otherwise provided by law. The state
and county is to pay the premium for
securing these additional guaranty
bonds. 1t is argued that guaranty
companies are so strict in their re-
quirements that no keeper of public
funds, if by them guaranteed, could
possibly become defaulter through
dishonesty or carelessness. Out of
the many plans advanced it is alto
gether likely that some legislation will
be obtained compelling rigid care of
public funds. In this respect Taylor's
defalcation may have salutary effect,
though it was an expensive inducement
for more protection.
Representative Dickover has ad-
vanced quite an original plan for urg-
ing upon congress the demands of
the west regarding financial legislation.
He has accordingly introduced joint
resolution for the appointment of a
joint committee of three from each
branch of the legislature to draft a
memorial to congress urging such
financial legislation as is deemed neces-
sary to revive the paralyzed interests
of the country. The joint committee
is also to memorabilia the legislatures
of other western states to unite with
South Dakota in memorializing con-
gress for such financial legislation.
Such action would at least show the
unanimous sentiment of the west upon
this very important subject. The joint
resolution was introduced in the house
Friday and under suspension of the
rules was read the second and third
times and passed; sent to the senate
where it passed through the same
course and became law. That's 'srail-
roading" legislation in great shape, and
Mr.. Dickover will probably not be out
done during the session in rushing
legislation through.
1t is hardly probable that any radical
railroad legislation will be enacted at
this session. The sentiment among
members of the legislature is quite
general against it for the reason that
the railroads have undoubtedly been
operating at a loss, or nearly SO, for
the past two or more years in the
eastern part of the state, and any re-
duction in rates at this time would
very likely cause almost suspension
of traffic, or to such an extent as to
be a great drawback to the state. Even
now many roads in this part of the
state are running 'mixed' trains, and
only one train day at that-"up one
day and back the next" Hence it is
regarded that railroad legislation is
out of the question, though it is prob
able that the railroad commissioners
will be given greater powers, which
they should have in order to be of
service to the people in the capacity of
a board of arbitration, which they
virtually are. between the people and
railroads.
Representative Hair, of Butte county,
is the author of a bill fixing the rates
for the rental of telephones and for
charges for messages. The same bill
has been introduced in the senate by
Senator Wilson. It provides that no
company or corporation shall charge
more than 81 per month for tele-
phone instrument in business place
having privileges of the complete
circuit, or 81 per month for residences
with the same privileges. Single
messages are to be not more than %
cents each to any point upon the
circuit. This bill will only affect the
Black Hills telephone company, for
telephone companies in the eastern
portion of the state charge only from
81 to 50 per month. 1t will very likely
become law, and will doubtless be
appreciated by Black Hills people, and
it is scontended that a rate such as is con-
templated will increase the business of
the telephone company to such an
extent that it will prove financially
beneficial to the company.
ovsp