Eureka post. (Eureka, McPherson Co., S.D.) 18??-19??, 1907-03-01

Pierre, 25. The rate bill is still the
matter of first interest here and has TAX
en- i new turn during the week. 1t will
be recalled that at the last writing the
senate bill had been killed in the house,
and the house bill was on the table thru
an inadve rtance. On Tuesday last Car
roll, author of the bill, moved to raise it
from the table. To this Browne raised
the point that under Reeds rules bill
on the table is dead bill. Speaker
Clancy held that Reed laid down the
general rule that bill might be raised
from the table at any time after the
house had progressed, and that the prac.
tice in the house of Representatives upon
which Brownies point was based, was
an exception to the rule. He therefore
permitted the motion to stand and the
bill was raised and placed upon the
calendar.
Wednesday morning Carroll moved
thar the title to the bill be changed and
all of the bill be stricken out after the
enacting clause, and the maximum rate
bill of 1897, changing the maximum for
passenger rates from three to two and a
half cents, be substituted for the origin
al two cent rate bill. Glass, Browne,
Price and others spoke for the new
measure and it passed without dissent
ing vote. The new bill says nothing
whatever about mileage books, but fixes
a fiat two and half cent maximum.
Glass in explaining the reason for the
change said that it had been found that
the twC cent rate bill which provides for
five hundred mile family books good un-
til used was in contravention Of the de-
cision of the United States Supreme
Court report and therefore was not feas.
Ibls. The bill has gone to the senate
bat what course will be there pursued
is not yet determined.
The demand for appropriations ex-
ceeds anything before known. The
total for the ensuing biennium is g..
$50, 900 sum fairly appalling in view OF
the revenues. The committees of both
houses are indnstriously engaged in par
ing down this demand to point within
the power OF the state TO supply. The
largest appropriation ever before made
was about 81, 100000.
The people have been seriously misled
regarding tie real condition OF state fin
ances. The statement that the bonded
debt was wiped out has led to the BELLE
that the state is out Of debt which is not
nor has at any time qeen true. There
are outstanding three hundred fifty
thousand Of emergency warrants bear
ing percent. This sum will be largely
Increased by the necessary special APP
propriations Of the session and will be
fearfnlly increased if half OF the build
ing specials are allowed.
Now the assessed valuation OF South
Dakota is about two hundred twenty
five million and the regular two mill
levy upon this produces $3.50, 006 annual.
iy. The special insane fund advanced
by the counties and other revenues
amounts TO about two hundred thousand
more, or regular natural revenue oi
$3.50, 600 annually. If to this be added
two mill deficiency levy IL will be in.
creased to 81, 100000 or So, 100000 fol
the biennium. Tits doubtful, however
whether or not two mill deficiency can
legally be levied oftener than every
other year, In which event the tota
probable revenue will not exceed 81 ,750,.
900. The latter sum is therefore the
largest sum which can be safely approp,
rated and that too without making any
provision tor taking up the present out
standing warrants. 1t will therefor be
readily understood the legislature has q
task before 1t IN keeping the appropria'
tions within reasonable limits.
IL is expected the general bills will be
reported about Wednesday. Very few
OF the specials have as yet come Out from