The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1899-02-10
ballot system and if fair rate can be
decided upon there is no good reason
why it should not be retained.
LEGISLATURE AT PIERRE.
What the State solons are Accomplishing
During the Legislative Session.

During the Legislative Session.
PIERRE, Feb. 4-There was pretty
strong disposition of the members to
adjourn today and go home for several
days, but wiser council prevailed and
the wheels of the two bodies were kept
in motion, Notwithstanding that some
members of the senate and house did
go home.
One Of the most important bills be.
fore the legislature is the dispensary
measure, the anti-saloon league bill
having already been introduced. The
Sites or senate bill will be introduced
Monday or Tuesday and a synopsis Of
the bill will be given in my next letter.
After something like temporary
parting of the yays, tho republicans
seem TO be getting together and are
more confident than for several weeks
past. Caucuses held recently have
invariably been of y most encouraging
order, and tue members of all kinds
portend solid and unyielding lineup
on the measures which have the party
endorsement. The absence of Senator
O'Brien of Lawrence reduces the ma
jority in the senate by one. but there
is ample time to wait for his return If it
is found necessary. The registration
bill, the initiative and referendum as
passed by the house. the charities and
corrections act, repeal of law creating
Office of insurance commissioner, and
the several ballot measures, are among
the propositions which are to have on
final passage a practically united and
solid republican vote.
Representative Wilmarth's bill for
state repositories for the public funds
house bill No. I'll, introduced on Tues
day-provides that interest on the
funds shall be covered into the state
treasury. The bill creates q state
board of auditors, consisting of the
governor, secretary of state and
attorney general, whose duty it shall
be, at least four times year, without
notice, to make q thorough examin-
alton OF the books and records of the
treasurer's office and make record of
their findings, which record shall be
presented to the legislature at the
opening Of the following session. 1t
o, escribes that all state funds shall be
deposited in banks, preferably banks
within the state, which banks shall file
with the state auditor United States
bonds, bonds of South Dakota or of
other states, or of counties, municipali-
ties or school districts OF this state; or,
at the option of the board of auditors,
they may file personal bonds. with not
less than five sureties, who shall justify
in the manner prescribed by law. The
state auditor, as custodian of the securi-
ties, is required to give bond in not
less than $50, 1000 for the safe keeping
of the same, The banks are required
to file securities worth double the
amount of deposits.
The action of the house in passing an
initiative and referendum bill with
/ provision that vote under the refer
endum shall not take place until the
4 general election OF 1900, tends to
strengthen the opinion that the dis
pensary system OF liquor control will
never gain q firm hold in this state.
The vote upon the dispensary propo-
sition last fall indicated that a major
1 ity of the electors, if made to vote one
way or the other, would bury it beyond
hope of ansearly resurrection. The
light vote and Indifference then shown
are echoed by the conditions prevailing
today. Only the comparative few care
anything about the dispensary. Prohi.
bitionists regard it at best as only q
means to an end. Liquor men, of course
have no use for it, and those who
occupy middle ground can see little
call for it. There are few who claim tc
have investigated to the point at least
4 of satisfying themselves it is good
thing. These are generally populists
who are, and always will be, dissatisfied
with existing orders and conditions
The approaches to the actual establish
ment of the dispensary are SO en-
numbered that it looks to be y very
simple matter to close them altogether
4 Under the referendum bill, rs passed
by the house. the dispensary law, wher
enacted, cannot be voted upon fol
adoption or rejection by the people
until November, 1900. In the mean
time, the dispensary will be held il
allegiance and the present license
system will continue.
/ Bills before the legislature at thi
time for appropriations aggregat
sl,6s9,537, divided rs follows: For ne,
buildings, 1898, ,S27; deficiencies, s95,7lC
panara) q anprnpriatiOn Hill roonmn nd