Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-02-05
South Dakota
Legislature



The attacks on the school law of
two wears ago have been started, smith
asking that the power OF granting
third grade certificates be restored TO
the county superintendent, from "hoH
the general code took that right. Ar
mold wants the pay of teachers cut or
for attendance at teachers meetings.
Both of these are nous bllls.
The first move toward a state tax
commission was made in the mousse
Monday by Larson, of Minnehaha, who
presents a bill for three commission
ers at salaries of $4,000 a year each,
and a secretary at $500 a year, the
commission being given full power to
! amir witnesses and fix values for
| assessment purposes.
In the senate and house approprla-
ton bills were presented Monday for
81, 900 for cottages at the soldiers
home and $4,000 for the state expert
mental farm at Cottonwood.
The members of the capitol building
committees of both houses met with
the members of the caption commits
sion Monday morning and finally de-
cided upon the draft of the bill which
they will present asking for an appro-
DflallOn lOI lllc COIN pltlioIl u tiC Z
building, with the methods of raising
the revenues.
After a number of conferences the
militia representatives at Pierre have
finally agreed upon a military code
which is satisfactory and the same
will be submitted to the military COM
mittee of both houses before it is final
ly framed up into a bill for presenta-
ton to the Legislature.
The first effort to choose a man for
the position of United States senator
under the provisions of the primary
election law was carried to a success
full completion Tuesday by the repub-
licans of both houses standing solidly
back of the party failing to record
his vote in line with the mandate Of
the people at the primary election.
The nomination of COe I. Crawford
in the senate was made by Senate
Tobin, of Beadle county, and it was
seconded by practically every other
republican membe or the floor.
The nomination of Andrew E. Lee.
the democratic caucus choice, was
made by Senator Hitchcock, and sec
onded by his party colleagues. h
vote was strictly on party lines, Craw-
ford receiving the republican support
and Lee the democratic, which was
6 votes out Of AS.
In the house the name of Crawford
was presented by Representative Giles,
of Beadle.
Another inebriate asylum bill was
introduced in the senate Tuesday by
Laurson, fixing the location at Alexan-
dria.
The house passed bills cutting the
1OO-foot limitation from locations of
elevators in relation to railway proper
ty, and the bill limiting the time for
beginning action to secure tax titles.
The resolution to submit to tie peo-
pie the question of increasing the sal
airy of the attorney general to allow the
legislature to fix such salary. 1t passed
the house by a vote of 81 to SO. after
considerable opposition. The amend
ment was proposed by Johnson. of
Clark.
Promptly at noon Wednesday the
members of the two legislative bodies
met in the hall. of the house of repre-
sentatives and Coe I. Crawford, Of HUI
ron, was declared to be elected United
States senator for the term expiring
in 1915.
Senator Crawford was called upon
and gave a short talk, in which he ex-
pressed his appreciation of the honor
which had been conferred upon him
and pleging his service in his new po-
'sition to the whole people of the state
without regard to party or faction. He
said he bore no malice on account of
the bitter fight of the campaign, and
no one need hesitate to apply to him
at any time for any aid which he might
be able to grant. He pledged his
fidelity to the issues on which he had
been selected. His remarks were met
with the heartiest applause from his
followers, who have stood by him so
Loyalty in all his campaigns.
The house Wednesday passed the
Mcdonnell 2-cent rate bill. after a
warm discussion, in which a few mem
bers were pleading for delay, but all
voted for the act. Both houses have
new enacted such bills, but none has
passed both.
After several efforts the initiative
to the people at the next general cleo
ton was filed with the secretary OF
state Monday. 1t now carries over
5000 names, and as soon as the leglS-
lature resumes business after the re-
cess copies Of the petition Will De SUD-
mitted to both houses for formal ac-
ton.
|. Up to the present thirty DIS al1ect-
ing railroads in a greater or less de-
gree have already been
with the sessioIfSnot yet half gone.
While some of these are duplicates,
there is a long string which, if all en-
acted, would make a radical railroad
code" -
With all these bills before the two
bodies, the only ones which nave up to
the present made any progress are the
2-cent fare bills, one having passed
each house, and the electric headlight
bill, whichshah passed the senate. And
through$itsaff the railway companies
do not appear@to be making any move
to stop or hasten any of the measures,
but are allowing them to grind their
way along, and what the outcome
will be before the close of the session
is one. which no man knows.
Thesequal s~uffragists are happy over
the action Of the senate in passing
their resolution with a property quail
fcation. The resolution was adopted
without debate, and with only a hand
full Of dissenting votes. h proposed
amendment limits voting to women
! who pay taxes Indications are for
favorable action by the house at pres
ent.
Feature bills of the house are one