The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-12-13
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state will show numerous changes be-
fore the end OF another year, regard
less of the fact that no judicial cleo
tions are to be held for several years
One of the propositions which Is re-
ceiving a great deal of attention In
legal circles is the increase of the su-
preme court from three to five MEM
bers, which will mean redistricting the
state for that purpose. When that
| comes up for action that part of the
| state west of the Missouri will demand
two of the three districts, on the basis
| Of material progress to follow the diff
ferent lines Of railroad extending into
that part of the state. Such division
would give three districts to the state
east of the river, which now has two
| and would mean the appointment of
judge on each side of the river. Or
dinarily such appointments would be
made from members of the circuit
bench, but west of the river this would
present problem. The older coun-
| ties would ask for a division which
would include some of them in each
| circuit, and as Judge Corson would
remain in any northern circuit so
formed the southern circuit would
have on the bench the only Democrat
ic circuit judge in the state and would
| complicate a selection from that dis
| trict.
The department of legislative refer
ence has received forty applications
for information in regard to bills pro-
posed to be introduced by members at
| the coming session. The greatest
M ri in rI TO
| primary election laws; followed in or
der by good roads legislation, and rate
bills. While in the past road legisla-
ton has not received any great
| amount of attention, the rains of the
past two years making the roads in
the eastern part of the state almost
| impossible, has brought out large
amount of discussion on that subject
For many years South Dakota country
roads in their natural state were look
ed upon as among the best in the
| country, and changed climatic condi-
tions require a change IN road MAX
ing. and the question will be gone into
pretty thoroughly this winter.
There is generally improved con-
| iition of state finances. The conserv-
atism of the last legislature in the
matter of appropriations brought the
expenditures within the reasonable
revenues Of the state, so that the float
ing indebtedness at this time, less cash
in the treasury applicable to its reduc-
| ton, is approximately 100000. The
bonded debt at this writing is but
$50,000, for the sinking of which the
cash is lying in the treasury. Treas
| urer Collins has been most energetic
In his efforts to secure the surrender
Of the outstanding state bonds and
has accomplished the sinking of more
than 100000 during his term. Those
remaining do not mature until 1918.
but Mr.. Collins hopes to prevail upon
the owners to surrender them at once
General prosperity continues to
bless the people of the state. Ten
years has seen the bank deposits.
chiefly those of farmers and stockmen,
increase from $4,000, 900 to more than
$45,0OO,000 at the present time. With
this evidence of great prosperity the
people continue to be thrifty in their
affalrs, reluctant to undertake enter
prlses for which they do not have the
ready cash and in all things wisely
conservative. Few loans are made ex-
cept for the purchase of additional
land. Farmers to surprisingly large
extent pay cash for machinery and
supplies, merchants discount their
bills and bankers are at, their wits
enos 10 nnd a market for their money.
The report Of the bureau of vital
statistics for the month of October
shows that there were 315 marriages.
The births numbered 755, of which
356 were males and a99 females.
There were 33S deaths. Divorces were
granted In 46 cases, Of which 10 were
to actual residents OF the state, and
the rest outsiders, who came to take
advantage Of the divorce laws of the
state. Naturalization papers were
granted to 10 applicants.
State Treasurer Collins has at last
located the last Of the outstanding
state bonds. and is now in a position
to negotiate for everything outstand-
ing. This places him in a position
where he can almost certainly carry
out his plan of clearing up all of
that class of Indebtedness before the
close Of his term.
The Eastern Star officers selected
at Pierre for the ensuing year are: w
M, Mrs. 1. w. Goodner; w. p, T. M
Taylor; A. NJ, Mrs. H. F.. Cutting.
secretary, Mrs. j. W. Laughlin; con-
ductor. Mrs. c. S. Fisher; A. conduc.
tor, Miss Kalder.
For the sixth consecutive year the
state department OF history, through
its secretary, Doane Robinson, pre-
sents review of South Dakota's pro-
gress, and again congratulates tho
people upon year of real prosperity:
abundant crops and general happiness.