Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-03

| PIERRE, S. d., Jan. 2.-(Special)-Be-
fore the end of another week the fifuh session
of the South Dakota legislature will be
getting down to work. The fact that 1t is
the first populist legislature Of the state will
give 1t special interest to many, and the ac-
tions Of the legislature will be closely
watched.
While a number of contests were an
nounced just after the election, the only one
which is likely to be carried into the leg
| isature is that of Il. T.. Dowdell of San
! born county, who desires to add to the lau-
! rels he won at the last session and does not
believe that a republican should represent
county which has been giving populist ma
| jorities for years, and which was captured
| by the opposition while he was away from
home battling for the cause Of his party.
The two weeks of the session which will
pass before 1t can be decided who will have
the largest first ballot for senator will be
well put in by all the aspirants. All the
different populist aspirants are certain that
they will be winners and the republicans
have not given up hope.
AS TO PICKLER'S CAUSE.
If the Washington specials are to be relied
on the new administration will take up the
cause of Pickler, and put up hard fight
for him. 1t is not at all improbable that
the twelve democrats will select one of their
own faith and stand by him. So long as
they stand solidly together no one else can
get through and they helped the populsts
elect Kyle six years ago, they are in posi-
tion to demand populist support this time.
They go upon the theory that to surrender
at this time means the wiping out OF the
democratic party in South Dakota and
leaving them no choice outside of republican
ism or populism, neither of which they want
While there is an anti-republican majority
of nineteen, 1t does not mean that 1t Will be
easy for this majority to select a senator.
There are practically four elements, which
will have to be welded together to accomplish
this. They are the democrats free silver
republicans, conservative populsts and radi
cal pOpuliStS. No two OF these Will agree on
one man at the start, and it is going to take
a shrewd manipulation to bring them all
together at any time. II is possible that this
Will be accomplished. but it Will not be done
in 4 day.
WILL BE A LONG CONTEST.
1t is very improbable that all these con-
licting elements can be got into joint
caucus and so long as they vote separately,
there will be no choice.
The indications all point to the selection OF
John Colvin of Mitchell as speaker Of the
house. He is of the conservative class who
will have control. the only other candidate
being DAILY CT Brown, whose position as
radical will keep him out of the place.
The senate committees will this year be
appointed by a committee which will be Sc
lected by the senate. The usual rule of APP
pointment by the lieutenant governor will
not go. His political predictions do not
harmOniZe with these of the body over which
he will preside, and they prefer to appoint
their own committees 10 be sure that they
will harmonize.
Some of the principal bills which will be
considered at this session are ballot re-
form, the Torrens system of land transfers,
a liquor license law, legislative reappor-
tionment and railroad law which will be
based upon the Iowa Law now in force in
that state.
About half of the members reached here
this morning, and probably the rest will ar
rive tomorrow. All the avowed senatorial
candidates. Kyle, Goodykoontz, Plowman and
Loucks, are here. Kyle is the most promi-
nent. by his personal work among the mem
bers, the other candidates doing their work
principally through their friends. The can |
ddates for speaker, COlvin of Davidson DAILY |
of Brown and OleSon of Pennington, are all |
on the ground looking after their interests, |
but indications point to the selection of Col !
vim. The leading candidate for secretary of /
the senate, who Is on the ground, Is T. NJ. |
Simmons OF washington, but he will have !
a strong opposition here tomorrow in eX-
Senator Kingsbury of Yankton. who will be |
here then. j. ii. Leain OF Sioux Falls |
the house, and claims enough to carry him
through against any opposition which can
develop. The caucus for selection of speaker |
and house employees will probably be held |
Monday night. The republicans have as yet |
taken no action OF any kind, but Representa-
tive Glass OF Coddington will be the caucus
nominee for the house.