The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1907-01-10
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
DIRECT FROM PIERRE
Our Special Correspondent Gives Brief Review of the Sena-
tOridl Situation
:NAT0R GAMBLE UNANIMOUS CHOICE OF JOINT c
broohngs County Members Are Getting Ready for Business and Will
Work for Good Appropriation for College

Pierre, Jan. Sth. There can be no
doubt that the senatorial campaign of
l9OS Is IN full blast and that Senator
kittredge and Governor Crawford are
pitted in titanic struggle for the prize.
Every action OF the present legislature
and the political movements OF the
new administration will be weighed
with an eye to its effect upon that
| contest.
Senator Gamble will be reelected
with little opposition. II any MEM
Der desires to make an official investi-
cation OF the charges made against
the senator he will not object, though
1t Is not probable that he will ask for
an investigation. Since the senator's
arrival IN Pierre last Saturday accom-
panied by a large party Of neighbors
from Gankton and a number of friends
from other sections of the state there
has been a constantly growing Gamble
sentiment here and a corresponding
weakening OF the propaganda to dis
credit him. Governor Crawford is
vigorously ~championing the senator's
cause and does not deem the charges
in any respect meritOrious or sub
stantlaI; in fact he is not disposed to
dignity them with an Investigation.
There are Of course a goodly number
who would like to be shown, yet who
do not care to ally themselves
against the state administration.
Even in the selection of officers ofthe
legislature the coming senatorial cam
paign is reflected, as in the selection
of j. w. Cone OF Minnehaha county
for chief clerk. Cone is persona non
grata to Senator Kittredge and to the
M~innehaha county delegation, but
those circumstances are measures of
strength to him here. He is a splen-
did officer and has served as chief
clerk in three or four state and terri
torial houses.
Another place where the senatorial
situation is bound to be an element in
legislation is in the reapportionment
OF the legislative districts. 1t will be
recalled that no apportionment was
tional deadlock between house and
senate so we are still operating under
the apprOtionment made by the popu-
lists in 1897. Ten years have brought
some decided changes in relative
population figures. The lower river
counties have practically stood I'M
ClldllStu WllllC MluIlt1ldIld, LdWIt1lCc
and Brown, the leading stalwart cOun-
ties have gained more than one-third
OF the total gain in population. A
reappOrtionment which would do exact
justice to these stalwart counties
would OF course strengthen Senator
kittredge and to that extent reduce
the chances of Governor Crawford.
Under the circumstances it will re-
quire almost superhuman virtue on
the part of an insurgent legislature to
carry out, unqualifiedly the square
deal principle, yet who shall say it
would not be the wisest possible poll
teal policy for them to do so.
The views OF Governor Crawford re-
lating to the Governors contingent
fund" and his declared purpose to
have it investigated with a view to
bringing a civil action has created no
small sensation though in fact such
action has by many been confidently
expected ever since the insurgent vic
tory last spring. The most loyal
friend OF Ex-Governor Herried and
Elrod have long deplored this matter
and felt that the acceptance OF the
gratuity was unwise and unconstitu-
tional. To many it has been the only
real ground of criticism OF these adj
ministrations. 1t is said that Gov.
Elrod has kept the sums drawn upon
this fund intact in a separate bank
depOsite and stands ready to make
good instantly If the courts so decree.
Next to the contingent fund incident
Gov. ElrOd's advice to return to North
Carolina the proceeds OF the bonds
donated to this state has caused most
surprise. Legislators and public are
divided upon the practicability OF fol-
lowing this advice, but ali agree that
the proposal is predicted in good con-
science.
The organization period had been
particularly a good natured one.
There have been no indications OF the
stress Of feeling which frequently
characterize organization days.
The anti-pass agitation has very
materially reduced the attendance Of
visitors who come out for fun.
Pierre, Jan. 9. Senator Jenkins and
the representatives Of Brookings
county are here and getting squared
away for the Legislative tasks before
them. They will ask for no Legislative
positions for constituents but give
particular attention to the new fifty
thousand dollar ladies dormitory at
the college. 1t is also most likely
that the legislature will provide for
the wrecking of the old central build
ing and make an appropriation to add
to the salvage and provide for a new
and substantial administration build.
ing in its place.
Congressman Hall was greeting
friends here at the inaugural, and he
has lost none OF his old time grace or
popularity. He and Congressman
Parker have been engaged in carving
out a congressional plan OF action.
Matthew Murphy has been promoted
L. o- - Trl~a E,,llorSo co~R