Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-02-12
South Dakota
Legislature

in Inc mouse the matter OF greatest
import was the final action on house
bill II, by Mcdonnell, the two-cent
rate bill. AS soon as 1T was called
for fna action, Warner, OF Stanley,
moved to postpone until the 2stn OF
this month to allow the members time
to confer with their constituents dur
ing recess. In the motion for time ne
was supported by Gable. who said ne
was for some such uiil but that several
bills had been presented to the legisla-
ture and that all should be considered
to get the best bill.
TAYLOR took the position that the
whole people of the state had given
their verdict for the two-cent rate bill
and that the word of a few constitu-
ents during recess should not have n
effect upon the action of the men,
bers. That, personally, he did not be-
lieve it was advisable for the present
session to enact any such legislation
whatever, but HI would vote for the
bill in response to a public demand.
Gov, Vessey started the appoint
ment list Wednesday by sending to the
senate the name of A. E. Hitchcock,
of Mitchell, as the democratic member
of the board of regents of education,
which was approved. He may send in
a list of names, the probabilities being
that the name of william M, Cook. of
Rapid City, will go in for mine in
spector; Ed. A. Murray, Of Milbank,
for oil inspector of the northern dis
trict, ard John w. Peckham, of Park
ston, oil inspector for the southern
district.
Both houses Wednesday adopted
80 NJ -,,~ ,y
as the last day for the introduction of
new bills.
The house members did not show
that they had loaded up with bills at
the recess time, and no business was
transacted Wednesday except the in
PRODUCTION of a few bills, among them
a resolution by Bently memorialiZing
congress for 640-acre homesteads in
certain cases.
The senate members showed evil
dence of readiness for work by rush
ing in a number of bills, principal
among them being a series by Dillon
which attempt to revolutioniZe legis-
lative customs and patronage. They
reduce the clerk forces more than
half, and take away the engrossing
force patronage from members, plac-
ing it in the hands of the secretary OF
SIdlS, II IL GU ~ SiilPloS iloIiS
but skilled stenographers as members
Of such force. Other radical changes
along expense lines are also proposed.
TheEgOod roads proposition had its
first airing in the senate in the bill to
abolish theSOffice Of roa oVerSeer, and
requiring all road work to be done by
contract and after several amend
ments the bill went over to the Sd OF
February for final action.
The railroad committee Of the SEN
ate did a little railroading of its own
in that body Friday when it advanced
the rate bill n day by suspension OF
the rules and placed it in position
where it could be acted upon Saturday
If it so desires.
Senator stokes secured the recall of
the herd law bill from the committee
on state affairs and secured it's refer
ence to the senate, in which he was op-
posed by Hare, but won his point.
Among the senate bills presented
Friday were one to carry out further
a resolution memorialiZing congress
for free lumber and timber.
Among the house bills presented
Friday were ont to carry out further
the state request to select lands for
forest reserve purposes and one APP
priating money for the manufacture
n distribution of hog cholera serum
at the agricultural college.
The fight on the pure drug bill intro
duced by the druggists association
started early and lasted for more than
an hour, Food Commissioner Wheaton
being an interested listener. Attempts
to amend to put the enforcement of
the law under control of the commits
stone were voted down, and after cut
ting out the appropriation portion OF
the bill 1t was passed by a vote of IS to
9. This practically settles the fate OF
the drug bill prepared by Commits
Sioner Wheaton. =. .'Ef r. N
The house passed the bill to allow
| terms Of court to be held In other than
county seat hen the same
are three miles or more from a rail-
road, affecting Hutchinson county
lone.
The house committee reported ia
| vorably on the tuberculosis hospital at
Custer and on the equal suffrage
amendment to the constitution.
|. The county option petition Is finally
| ready. and was presented in both
houses Saturday.
The equal suffrage contingent ex-
pected to get a vote in the house on the
| senate resolution Saturday afternoon.
r. w. Dwight, of Sioux Falls, was
appointed a member or The board OF
regents of education.
l. The senate had little business Thurs
! day and started several bills. n or
| which provides for a state bee inSpec-
tor.
The house passed bills Thursday
amending the manner of redemption
| of property sold on mortgage foreclos-
| ures; providing a method of getting
| roads to isolated tracts of lands, ana
prohibiting the use of profane and
abusive language: and joint resolutions
calling upon congress to call a con-
stitutional convention for amending
the national constitution on the sub
jects OF electing United States senator
by direct vote, and ~polygamy, and me-
morialiZing congress to make Fort
Meade a brigade post. "
A long list of house bills have been
started, principal among them being
bills authorizing cities to create a
park commission; providing for a state
| department of immigration; appropri-
ating $4,000 for twonand a half years;
an appropriation bill for $4,000 for
new buildings at the Madison normal.
and putting the telephone inspector
under control of the railway commits
| sion.
Gov. Wesley Thursday sent to the
| senate the names of E. A. Murray, of
MiIbank, John w. Peckham of Park
ston. and VIM. M. Clark Of Rapid City,
for oil inspectors.
Pierreris filing with insurance men,
| who areythere to look after their in