The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-02-04
THE LEGISLATURE.

Pierre. S. D., Jan. 2s.-As is usually
the case, the South Dakota legislature
will know after it's siv-day recess.
ending Wednesday, about what will
be the subject matters of its work and,
in general way, what the more impor-
tant legislation will be. 1t can now be
said that the remainder of the session
will be occupied particularly with consid-
Grafton OF the following proposed heas@
ures:
Guaranty of bank deposits; Increase OF
the membership Of the supreme court to
five; pure drug and food bills; permanent
tax commission
At least three of these four will become
laws it being doubtful whether the pres
ent legislature will reach the passage OF
lhe tax commission bill urged especially
In the farewell message OF Governor
Crawford
The socalled administration bill for vol
untary insurance-of bank deposits will be
passed, with minor amendments. This Is
in the hands of Byrne in the senate ana
Isenhuth in the house. Senator Arneson, or
Hamlin, has a compulsory guaranty Dill
and the committee measures will be the
product of these two bills. In the main the
expected law will be that provided In the
administration bill, which permits the vol
untary formation of an association, rep
resenting combined capital stock or not
less than 100000. through which the banks
may pay an annual tax of one mill on
their deposits to constitute a fund by
which to insure the deposits. The meas
ure is preferred by bankers because 1T
does not force guaranty upon the banks
and it is maintained that self interest VIII
draw into the association banks whose af-
fairs are we'll enough administered to give
them the opportunity.
There seems no question about the IN
| crease in the number of supreme court
judges. With a single exception. due to
| politics every attorney in the legislature
is said to favor the bill. Farmer members.
| who might be expected to object on the
| ground of economy, are for 1t, because
nearly every one of them knows OF some
| instance of justice delayed three or four
years by the inability of the court to
come anywhere near ping up with the
| calendar. The five districts will be- it
seems practically as provided In the Nor
ris bill. one north and south across the
west end of the state and the other four
| parellel strips running east and west.
Dairy and Food Commissioners Wheaton
\ has both pure food and a pure drug bill.
| The grocers take vigorous exception to the
food measure and the druggists to the
other. Sentiment seems Overwhelming in
| favor OF adopting the national food and
drugs act, which would be acceptable to
both grocers and druggists.
| The need of tax reform Is recognized.
but the disposition Is to regard 1t so large
subject that it may not be possible to
decide at this time upon a commission.
ernor Crawford and 1t is freely predicted
a permanent commission will be created
either at this session the next But
the desire to act advisedly In the matter.
together with the economical spirit in
which the cost OF the commission would
be considered, make it uncertain whether
final action can be reached at this session.
An interesting situation is found in the
insurance interests All Insurance men
were asked to meet with Commissioner
Basford several weeks ago and a second
meeting at Aberdeen two weeks ago final
| ly considered and agreed upon desired
legislation. The fire insurance people and
the commissioner have come to an agree
ment The life insurance agents are di-
vided. Some of them want changes in the
laws, particularly that taxing gross pre-
miums per cent, and they have been
trying to work with the commissioner
though he does not approve of that
change. The other camp of life insurance
men has refused to take part In any leg
islative campaign, but have Joined in ar
attempt to prevent the reappointment o.
Commissioners Basford In view Of thi!
division, there is no prospect of much con
sideration of legislation relating to lii,
fr,S,1