The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1905-03-01

One of the questions which will follow
the senate action on the primary bill will
be a move to resubmit to thu people the
question of the initiative and referen.
dunn. When this was adopted, it was by
a minority vote of the electors of the
state, but now, with different methods OF
submitting such questions, there would
no doubt be a heavier vote, and an ex-
preston of the voters which could not
be mistaken. Many people over the state
are believers in the referendum, as a
constitutional provision, while they do not
care for the initiative, or are opposed TO
it. Their position is that the referen-
dunn stands as Il club to any seriously Vi
cious legislation, and one which is with.
in the reach of the people at any time if
they care to take it up, and while they
do not care TO use it unless a case of
need arrives, they feel a security in the
fact that they can get hold of it when
ever they want it TO slug any vicious
measure. Under that condition it may
be possible that the amendment will be
submitted on each proposition separate
ly. to allow a vote on each proposition
standing by itself, allowing the man who
is in favor of the referendum to so vote
anu at the SAME llHle cApLtsS HIS Oplool-
ton to the initiative.
y y
Bills have been introduced in both
houses which have for their purpose
amendments to the present oil inspec-
ton laws of the state. One of the feat
ures is for reduction of the inspection
fees, which are placed at a basis where
the fees not only pay all the expenses of
inspection, but return a revenue to the
state. This the oil companies say was
never intended by law, and they ask for
reduction to a point which will cut out
the revenue feature of the law. This
will meet with little opposition in case
no attempt is made to go further with
the amendment. But the same bills ask
for a change in the gravity and residue
tests. These amendments will be strong
ly opposed, and Attorney General Hall,
in his appearance before the committee
OF state affairs strongly opposed either
of these changes. Both are being tested
by the Standard Oil Company at the
present time in the United States SUI
preme court, and are being fought by
the state. The reports of the different
oil inspectors of the state indicate that
the present law has given the state better
oil han was secured for years, and
should stand as it is so far as quality
tests are concerned.
= Il II
After long consideration and consulta-
ton with all representative interests, At
torney General Hall has drafted a reve-
nue. law which is believed to provide for
sufficient revenue 70" the demands of the
state without increasing the burden upon
those who have hitherto disclosed their
property for assessment. Mr.. Halls bill
is a complete innovation upon present
methods. All assessors are abolished
and the general power of assessment is
vested in the state board of equalization.
The governor appoints a county assessor
in each county and this official selects a
sufficient number of deputies to perform
the work. thus lifting the assessment en-
tirely above local influence.
Early i'm the session a Lawrence Coun-
ty delegation came over and pushed
through a bill allowing cities to acquire
by condemnation proceedings, either
within or without their limits, for water
works purposes. After the bill had been
passed the ranchers along Elk Greek
woke up to the fact that Deadwood has
secured a bill which would allow them to
take all the waters of Elk Creek along
which there are q number Of ranches
which use the water of that stream for
irrigation purposes. They then appeared
on the scene and are asking for amend
ments to that bill which will prevent
the taking of all the water from this
stream.
While the house action on the capitol
building bill had no relation in any way
with the senate action, only that it came
up on the same day, the decided vote of
IA to l. in favor of appropriating $780,
900 to begin a capitol building, also helps
to clear away a matter whuch has been
the carse of more legislative friction
since tie organization of the state than
any other one matter. The house vote
is taken as an indication of what will fol.
low in the senate, and the bill will be
pushed in that house as rapidly as posi-.
BILE. With that out Of the way, the rest
of the session will be devoted to general
grind, end will be free from any comb.
nations affecting this interest.
The two bills for location of a north.
western insane asylum. one at Water.
town, and the other at Milbank. are like.
ly to cause considerable strife before the
matter is disposed or. the WATERFOWL
people are appearing on the scene in
force to look after their bill, and Milbank
will no doubt be represented before the
matter is settled. The latter town is Of.
4 fppin = a donation IF a quarter Snctinn Of
land as an inducement, and neither town
is o king for any appropriation at the
pres mt session.