The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-21
THE SOUTH DAKOTA
. BOND CONSPIRACY
Resolution in Senate Au-
thorizing Investigation
OF COMMISSIONERS
The House Holds Extended Session,
Full OF Spirit and Mirth, and
Makes the Richmond
\ County Bill
Law.
OF COMMISSIONERS

The important matter in the Senate
| yesterday was the introduction Of
| bill by Mr.. Williams of Davidson, to
/ appoint five commissioners, two to
be appointed by the President of the
I Senate. two by the Speaker OF the
House, and one by the Governor, which
appointees shall constitute commits
sion to investigate the terms and con-
ditions upon which are held the bonds
| of the class sued on in the South Da-
| kota suit. The bill provides that the
commission shall report its findings
| and recommendations to the General
| Assembly looking to the forming of a
| bill.
When Mr. Williams offered his bill
the Lieutenant Governor referred 10
| the Committee on Claims to which it
naturally and properly belongs. but
the introducer of the bill requested
! that it be referred to the Judiciary
| committee. No objection being heard
| the request was granted.
i Last night there was some discus
sion as to what committee should con-
| slider the resolution. "Un. ess such reso-
| lutions and bills go before the commit
tee on Claims, Of what use is such a
committee" said a prominent gentle
man.
1t was also commented upon last
| night that il a committee were to be
| appointed to look into this matter and
| report to this General Assembly that
a member of this commission should
be appointed by the Governor. IF
it is a legislative commission, its MEM
| bers should all be members of the
! General Assembly, and appointed by
its officers, stated another gentle
man.
Continuing he said: THE Demo-
cratic State platform made it impossi-
/ bic for any Democratic member OF
| this General Assembly to effect any
compromise on these or any other
| bonds of the State except upon the
terms agreed upon i'll 1879. To con-
slider, therefore, any matter with ref
, erence to any bonds except those
| upon which South Dakota has lien by
/ virtue of the judgment, is to waste the
| time OF the General Assembly
If at this time the Legislature
| should take any action at all it
| should be in reference to the South
! Dakota judgment"
Mr.. A. CT. Ricard, attorney for
| Schaffer. and the other parties who
hold the bonds, is here to ask the
| General Assembly to violate the DEM
ocratic State platform and re-open
the 1879 settlement. Mr.. picard was
/ former law nal tner OF Ex-Governor
| Russell, in Wilmington, and is a we'll
known, the whole conspiracy was be-
gun under Russell's admirers mo-
ton and Russell with Butler. have
been the leading counsel for the cor
| porations that stand with Schatfer.
Mr.. Picard stated last night that
he was here to see what the Legisla-
ture was going to do in regard to the
! bonds, but that, during the two days
he had been here he had spent less
than naIf oh hear IN the legislature
halls, and his visit was just to sec
the men that made the body
He called on the Governor yesterday,
but the chief executive was busy, and
| Mr. Ricard will renew his visit to-
! day. He said that figures mad already
been made in a propt sition perfectly
satisfactory TO his clients.
| Mr.. Williams, who introduced the
bill, said when seen by a reporter.
| that, ''if the bill is passed the COM
| mis- sion viii directly make a rigid
| examination, ana report soon after.
so that this Legislature will have
| time TO act u-!Sn its recommended
| tiuns
Il have talked the matter over with
the Governor" continued Mr.. Will
liaEs, and he faovrs this action.
There was a bill somewhat similar TO
mine, introduced in the House few
days ago, which was killed, but
IL think mine will go through
all right, and when the commission
reports and states what amount should
be paid ] think the legislature will
support it, and authorize the pay
/ ment"
A News and Observer reporter IN
tervewed Governor Glenn last even
ing, and, stating that it was reported
that he favored the bill, asked for
a statement. The Governor replied
that he had not committed his views
on the matter and that he would nor
advise the General Assembly as to
what course it should pursue unless
he was asked to do so. He did say.
| however, that he did not like the fea-
ture in the resolution offered by Mr.
Williams, which authorized the Gov
ernor to appoint one member of the
commission and each branch of the
Legislature to appoint two members.
He said that the whole of the obliga-
ton and responsibility should be laid
on either the General Assembly or the
| Governor, the legislative or executive
department of the State government.
The resolution of Mr.. Williams is
as follows:
"a resolution for the appointment
of a commission to investigate the
matter of the outstanding bonds or
paper writings purporting to be obll-
| lima.
Resolved by the Senate. the House
of Representatives concurring-
1. THAT the President of the Sem
/ CONTINUED on Page Five.)