The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-03-12
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE
CONTINUED from first page.)

Tne appropriations TWO years agU
were 32.432, 407.21, or $685., S73.1S less
than for the present year. That is to
say, tho provision for the new CAPT.
tol covers the excess Of the present
year.
oanks and Banking.
Perhaps the one topic of greatest
interest in the campaign and before
tho legislature. aside from financial
matters, was the proposition to insure
bank deposits. This vas q platform
plank and consequently the legislature
reluctantly considered it. The bill
adopted was a modification OF the
proposition introduced by Issenhuth OF
SPHINX and provides that not less thai
100 banks. having $1,000, 600 in CAPT
tai. may voluntary associate for the
insurance of their deposits. An admis'
sion fee, graduated from 500 upward
is to be paid aud a policy fee or pre-
MUM of 2 mills on the dollar of av-
erage deposits. In cas- of losses ex
ceding the funds on hand each bank
in the association may be assessed to
not exceed 4 mills upon its average
deposits.
II his annual report the public ex-
Aniner made nan suggestions for iul,
nrovenIents in he banking law. The
BARKING committee Of the senat re
por'ef a bill embodying practical,
Oil OF his suggestions and it was
passed.
Railroad Legislation.
About forty bills were introduced
into the legislature pertaining to tn.
regulation of railroads and the fol
lowing were enacted into law. Pri
Earily mos of these hills were yer.
arbitrary in form, requiring the rail
q companies to do certain things
under penalties, but with the eXcep
ton OF the 2-cent rate bill all were
modified to empower the railroad com
mission. in its discretion, to do the
things it desired. These bills were;
The 2cent rate bill; requiring trans
fer trucks between connecting lines
| requiring reports of ali wrecks an(
casualties to the railroad commits
sioners: providing for building via
ducts aver street crossings; providin.
penalty for failure to repay over
charge on freight within sixty days
providing for determining the renta
value of warehouse sites; requiring
railroads to install safety appliances
at railroad crossings and draw
bridges: requiring switch lights t. b
kept burning all night at each station
requiring toile. rooms to be provided
ut all stations; requiring the fencin.
of the right of way: requiring water
ing trougns to be provided at all stool
Yards; authorizing the railroad CON
the interstate commerce commission
prohibiting gambling and the drinkin,
Of intoxicants upon trains.
Insurance.
Last year there was q good deal O
criticism. upon the methods pursue,
by Some insurance companies in sell
ing bargain counter insurance a u
Governor Wesley came to Pierre de
termined upon securing Legislation
that would regulate these matters
Senator Ryrne took charge of the ad
ministration insurance measures an
secured the passage of bills present.
ing standard forms Of fire insurance
policies: standard form of life poll
cies aud standard form of stock In
surance policies and also reorganizin,
the state insurance department an
giving to it ample power to protec
the public against wild cat" insuI
ance Of any kind.
Other insurance bills require stat,
mutual companies to keep or hand
Is per cent reinsurance reserve; limi
the liability of insurers in mutual con
panies te the amount Of unpaid pol
cies: regulate fidelity bond insurance
prohibit accident insurance companie
from giving presents Of m%erchandis
with their policies and prescribe tn
duties Of secretaries Of county mutua
companies.
Economy in state Affairs.
There has been much proper crit
icism of unnecessary waste In publ
printing and in the expense of legis
lative sessions. Printers have don
the work cheap enough, but public o.
hcers have made up their report
without any system or regulation ant
generally speaking, it has been COZ
sidered that the officer who coul
print the most stun was the best fe
low. Chairman Cable of the house al
pre- p%riations committee took vigorou
hold Of this subject and secured tn
passage of q number Of bills, know
rs the Cable bills, which seek to limi
the expenditure for public printin
and for general economy in state a
fairs. These bills provide that no O
fcer or board shall create q defioienc
for any purpose whatever without tn
written consent of the governor; ar
other requires strict termination of e,
cry voucher upon which money
paid: a third requires the auditor,
his biennial report, to publish tn
items in every voucher upon which
warrant Is issued and still anothe
1xes . definite limit upon the humble
Of pages of printed matter which ma