Eureka post. (Eureka, McPherson Co., S.D.) 18??-19??, 1907-02-22
Letter From Pierre.


| Tuesday was day somewhat remark
able in legislative annals and old timers
say they have not before known so
much Of high Importance TO be done at
a single sitting as was accomplished by
the house on that day.
The session was devoted chiefly to the
consideration Of senate bills on third
reading. The reciprocal demurrace
bill which passed the senate before the
recess and which has been the subject
Iof much debate and many doubts was
early on the calender Whittemore Of
Hamlin, author of the house bill on the
same subject was manager and he pre-.
sented the subject In strong and logic
al address. He secured several import
ant amendments to the senate bill, one
providing five dollar per day demur.
rage against the shipper who orders a
car and then does not use il, and aRoth-
er more important amendment still re-
quiring the railroads TO make annually
10 the railroad commission asworn item.
ized statement Of all demurrage paid or
received. Though there was some
question in the minds of all as to wheth.
er or not the alroads may cover rebat-
ing TO favored shippers under the de.
murrage Charges it was deemed wise to
pass the act, upon the theory that two
years trial would discover it strength
ana Weaknesses and the next legislature
could act with wisdom Of experience
The bill will probably not affect cars
ordered for interstate commerce but
most likely apply to local business only.
Following next upon the calendar af.
ter reciprocal demurrage came the capf-
tol building bill. This had passed the
senate amended so that South Dakota
material was given Ave percent pref
erentia over outside material OF equal
value. Parmley sought to amend the
senate provision to require the use of
home material, except such stone as
must be polished or cut for ornamental
purposes His object was to compel
the use of prairie boulders and he had
his desk filed with beautiful samples Of
cnt ooulders. The topic was discussed
at.great length and it developed that
the consesus of opinion Of the house was
that home material should be used as a
matter of sentiment is it could be done
without materially enhancing the cost
but that five percent was the limit to
which they would go. When Parmley's
amendment had been voted down, tie
bill was passed unanimously precisely
as il came from the senate and IL was
signed by the Governor at noon Friday
SC there is nothing further in the way
of commission and with an abundance
of money in hand they may star atouce
toward the construction Of the capitol
and fine progress should be made before
the next legislature meets as the plans
are all in hand, the foundation for the
4 east wing completed, and all the pre-
| liminary details attended to.
The house anti. treating bill was a
special order at three o'clock and was
taken up, discussed, and passed to the
surprise OF every one AID the consterna,
tion of many. Ii was at once messaged
to the senate read and referred, report
ed back on Thursday with majority and
minority reports, both of which were
rejected by the senate and the bin made
special order for today. 1t is very
close in the seLate but IL Is generally be-
Iieved 1t will fail there.
Womens suffrage amendment Of the
constitution, which passed the senate SO
easily was the next matter and after ex-
tended debate it was defeated in the
house.
The two cent rate bill came to an un-
timely death in the house Friday. Al
the opening Of the session Browne
moved its indefinite postponement.
Ca sroii, the author of the bill Thought
lessly moved TO table Brownies motion
which was done carrying the bill to the
table with it where it requires two
thirds vote TO raise it. Just what action
will be taken is not certain but il 10 like.
| ly that an attempt will be made to
amend the two cent rate proposition in.
to the Glass bill for horizontal cut OF
twenty five percent in all rates.
The uniform school book bill has been
up and down for several days and is still
upon the calender. Ii was defeated
Friday and Saturday but both times re-
considered. 1t is special order for to-
| morrow. Ii il passes 1t must be without
the emergency clause and that will leave
the present law In force and new five
year contracts will be made In June.
Wednesday next--the 20th--is the
| last day upon which bills may be intro
duced without permission.
Harry Austin Robinson.