The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-02-04
THE LEGISLATURE.

will know after it's siv-day recess,
ending Wednesday,, about what wila
be the subject matters of its work and,
In a general way, h the more irnpor-
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 meas
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, 1t being doubtful whether the pres
ent legislature will reach the passage OF
the tax commission bill urged especially
In the farewell message of Governor
Crawford.
The socalled administrator bill for VOL
untary insurance of ban deposits will be-
passed, with minor amendments. This is
In the hands of Byrne in the senate and
%Isenhuth in the house. Senator Arneson. Of
Ramlin, has a compulsory guaranty bib
ana the committee measures will be the,
product of these two bills. II the main the
expected law will be that provided in the.
administration bill. which permits the vol
untary formation of an association, rep
resenting a combined capital stock of not
less than 100000, through which the banks.
may pay an annual tax lof one mill IN
their deposits, to constitute a fund by
which to insure the deposits. The meas
ure Is preferred by bankers because it
does not force guaranty upon the banks
and it is maintained that self interest will
draw into the association banks whose af-
fairs are well 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 it, because
nearly every one of them knows Of some.
instance of justice delayed three or four
years by the inability of the court TIC.
come anywhere near keeping up with the
calendar. The five districts will be, it.
seems, practically as provided In the Nor
rs 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 Commissioner Wheaton,
has both a 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 it so large
a subject that 1t may not be possible to-
decide at this time upon a commission.
Opinion Is, for the most part, with Cow
ernor Crawford and it is freely predicted
q permanent commission will be created
either at this session or 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
finala 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 nave come to an agree
ment. The life insurance agents are d.
vided. Some of them want changes in the,
laws, particularly that taxing gross pre-
miums 2 per cent, and they have been
trying to work with the commissioner
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 am
attempt to prevent the reappointment OF
Commissioners Basford. In view OF this
division. there is no prospect Of much con-
sideration of legislation relating to life,
insurance.