Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-01-07
FORECAST ON -
.Ass lIUIOIhlUUV
~-w-> -
Matters Likely to Come Before
State lawmakers.
BUSY SESSION IS EXPECTED

Bank Deposit Guaranty, immigration
Promotion, Two-csnt Passenger
Rate, Public Utilities Commission,
Good Roads Legislation and the En-.
tar9smsnt Of the Supreme Court
Among the important Propositions.
Pierre, S. d., Jan. 4.-This article,
written before the assembling of the
legislature, only endeavors to forecast
the action Of that body on some of the
more important subjects now upper
most in the minds of the people of
South Dakota.
The organization OF the two houses
will perhaps occasion much less inter
est than In former sessions, as the re-
election Of Speaker CLANCY Is con-
eeded. He served two years ago with
marked distinction and Won the abso-
Lutte approval Of the members and the
public. There will be something of a
contest in both houses over the elec-
tion OF chief clerks, but it is likely
most OF the principal committeeships
will fall into the hands of those who
headed them two years ago. In the
senate, however, there will be a good
deal OF interest about the chairman
ship of appropriations. Senator Byrne
filled the place with satisfaction two
years ago and is in line for reappoint.
ment, but Senator Ewert of Pierre Is
also talked of for the place. Iieuten-
ant Governor Shoher resides in
Ewert's district and they are very
close friends. Should Ewert be given
the appropriations smother place OF
equal Importance will he provided for
Byrns, who is one of the strongest and
most valuable senators.
i l. r
The Legislative topics most in the
public eye are state and county de-
pository acts; bank deposit guaranty; !;
immigration promotion. 2-cent passen-
ger rates; public utilities commits.
sion; good roads; tax commission /;
the enlargement OF the supreme court
and the perennial demand for special
appropriations for the educational and
charltaple INSTITUTIONS.
J. !. +
The party is committed to the pas
posits upon the Oklahoma plan. Gov
ernor Crawford argues strongly in his
message for carrying out the platform
pledge as well as for the guaranty
upon it's merits. Governor Vessey
asks that the rights of depositors be
strongly safeguarded while a guar.
anty act is being developed, indicat-
ing perhaps that he would not be
favorable to too hasty action. 1t Is
certain there will be strong opposi-
tion to this proposition in both houses
and it is very doubtful II any act look.
ing to the guaranty of deposits will
pass the senate. That other safe.
guards will be devised as suggested
by Governor vessey is probable.
J. i. /.
The demand for the creation Of q
strong Immigration bureau seems tc
be unanimous. From the indications
of the school census all Of the south
eastern counties have lost population
since the state census was taken II
1908, due to the immigration of thu
young people and floating population
to the free lands west of the Missouri
and leaves many houses untenantet
/ in the villages, conditions which i'm
press themselves strongly upon thu
public mind and give emphasis to thu
| propaganda for advertising the state'i
resources. Two years ago the secre
tary of the state board of agriculture
was made ex-officio immigration com
missioner and given $1,000 per yea
to carry forward the work. His tim,
has been much occupied with the di
rection OF the state fair and other du
ties of the Office and at best not mucl
could be accomplished with so littl'
money. Mr. McIlvaine does not dc
work and it is likely an independen
bureau will be established, with
much larger endowment Both GOV
ernors advocate this movement.
The party is pledged to the enac'
ment of a 2-cent fare law. Two year
ago this was the chief issue in tn
session and,a compromise was reache
by authorizing the railroad commi
sion to establish 2k-cent maximum
J If it was deemed just and expedieI
after careful inquiry. The commi
sion made diligent inquiry, took muc
testimony and finally made the orde
! for the 2K-cent rate, but the railroad
have enjoined the execution of tn
order upon the ground that the ra,
, will in operation prove to be conf
catory. The case Is still pending
the United States court. Though boi
. factions of the Republican party ar
the Democrats too declared In the