The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-02-22

week VIII 40 4ito G-Slttt d9 lAiC leu
letter day in South Dakota history.
Never before were SO many impor-
tant measures considered ct a single
sitting. Early in the day the recip-
rocal demurrage measure was taken
up and after brief but well consid-
cred debate the bill was passed. Mr..
Whittemore, of Hamlin led in the dis
cussion of the bill and explained its
provisions. 1t makes a demurrage
charge of 81 per day for the failure of
ss1e railroad company to provide cars
within three days after ordered and
the same charge for failure to for
ward the same after loaded and deliv-
cred to the company at the average
rate of fifty miles per day, or for fail
ure to notify consignee upon arrival
at destination, or to spot the cars for
unloading On the other hand, the
shipper forfeits 81 day for failure
to load the car after it is received in
forty-eight hours, or to unload it with
In the same time. There is question
as to whether this act will apply to
cars ordered for interstate business.
The prevailing opinion Is that 1t will
not, but only for shipments within the
state.
Capitol Bill Passes House.
Immediately following reciprocal de-
murrage came the capitol bill, which,
like demurrage, had already passed
the senate Mr. Parmley made an
heroic effort to limit the character OF
the stone used to prairie boulders,
but failed and to the great astonish-
ment of the friends of the bill who
anticipated strong opposition to the
feature which appropriates 100000
from the general fund to be used the
last year of building provided the
funds from land sales are insufficient,
the bill passed without negative
vote and it now appears there is moth
ing in the way of the immediate con-
structfon of creditable statehouse, to
cost 100000. The commission is In
structed to use South Dakota mate
rial II it can be done within a per
cent preferential, but the general inn
preston is that the capitol will be
built of Bedford limestone as at flrst
contemplated.
The house bill providing heavy pen
alties for treating to intoxicating liq'
uors was the special order for 3
o'clock. It's best friends had little
hope of getting it through. Mr.. Fon
canon, representing German con
stituency, moved it's indefinite post,
ponement, but his motion failed. After
q spirited debate the bill was placed
upon final passage and passed by a
vote of As to 3S. A large portion OF
the German members supported 1t
The bill prohibits treating or receiv
ing treats in any licensed saloon anc
forbids saloonkeeper to permit
treating in his saloon on penalty o.
forfeiting his license.
Equal Suffrage Defeated.
Following on the heels of the treat
ing bill came the equal suffrage amend
ment to the constitution. The repre-
sentatives OF the Equal Rights asso
citation were out in force. They were
backed by petitions containing man!
thousands of names. These petitions
were mounted on long strips of muslin
and as the resolution was under con
sideration the pages festooned the
petitions about the bar OF the house
and extended it along the aisles. A
vigorous debate ensued, but upon ina
roll call the measure was lost by
vote OF 40 to 35.
The house then took up and passed
fOr ho
sofa amendment to the revenue sec
ton OF the constitution. The pro
posed amendment gives the state
much wider power relating to taxa
ton; particularly providing for prop
erty classificatiOns and only stipulat
Ing that all taxation upon any partic
ular class shall be uniform. Thus
lands and live stock can be assessed
ad valorem, railroads upon gross earn
ings and notes and bills by a specifi
tax upon each instrument If tha
method is deemed desirable. At pres
ent everything has to be assessed az
cording to it's true value In money.
Eight other bills of minor impoi
tance passed the house on that day
making. as above indicated, a marve
Gus record for single sitting. Tn
torpor OF the earlier days has disal
peared and the house Is making heroi
effort to keep up with its work.
Simply Spread on the Record.
The report of the investigatin
committee upon Governors Herrei
and Elrod and the railroad commits
zion has been submitted. The doc,
ment recites the record of the tw
governors relating to the much di:
cussed contingent fund. In 1903 Coy
ernor Herreid asked the legislator
to provide house rent for the go'
ernor, not so much on his own a.
count but to establish the preceden
The legislature could not do this Ill
der the constitution. but considere
It could provide contingent fun
which the governor might draw an
expend as he saw fit without film
itemized vouchers. 1t was the clea
understanding about the legislator