The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-04-14

trenton, N. D., April lo.-lhec losing
session of the 134th legislature lasted
all night. and ended literally lin the
cold, gray dawn of the morning after"
If some of the legislators feel no re-
morse for their part in the scenes en-
acted in the capitol their consciences
will be awakened by the preachers of
Trenton.
1t was a most important session.;
subject under consideration vas the
states water supply. Gov. Fort
passed the night pleading, fighting for
a bill prohibiting the diversion of the
subsurface waters of the state to New
York and other territory.
Many of the legislators were MI
nitely more interested in the supply Of
some from the applejack districts
called it with attempted familiarity.
Surely it was not the discussion about
water that filled the galleries of the
legislative halls with women at mid
night. Many of these women are
are known to the police. Sitting in the
galleries they pointed out his and that
legislator and called each by his first
name. When w or three lawmakers
fell asleep women in the galleries pelted
them With paper pellets.
Drunk Under Historic Flags.
One ~assemblyman awoke to find a
half-empty bottle on his desk.
Put that in cold storage" he ex-
claimed, and the gallery applauded the
chaste witticism.
On a wall in the capitol hang battle
flags Of the revolution. In a little
room back Of the assembly speakers
relics champagne was flowing fastest.
Their a can-can was danced that would
have done credit to the Moulin Rouge.
While gentlemen from this or that
district hoarsely but spiritedly chanted
the tune and slapped him on their
graced or disgraced the occasion pi-
routed, kicked, advanced enticingly,
retreated with mock modesty the swish
of their skirts kept the rythm Of the
ribald tune.
In a corner of the room sat a moon
faced man in evening dress. Draped
about his shoulders was a sealskin
overcoat. In his shirt front cleaned q
diamond, similar gems bedecking his
soft, white fingers. He is not a mem
Der of the legislature, but a wealthy
contractor who, it is said, has caused
much trouble in the city by failing to
observe the specifications of contracts
awarded to him. 1t was he who in
vited the women for the delectation of
his legislative friends in the closing
hour Of their labors. He had journeyed
eve as far as the White Horse tav-
ern, a %roadhouse south Of the CITY, to
insure that a sufficient number Of his
chosen guests would attend. So he
was content to remain in the corner
the jaded Jersey Nero Of the feast,
passing comments on the stunts and
making often a brief but telling speech:
Another basket of wine!!"
Can-can Chief Attraction.
The Importance of the debate de-
~'ande the presence OF every legisla-
- sworn to do his duty. But none
1T that room after the cancan had
crowd made earnest attempts to kick
the ceiling, until they found themselves
in the position of the hands Of the
clock at VI. The ceiling was too lofty.
A woman jumped on a table. Her
elevated efforts were rewarded with
loud cheers.
Then a 1.-THE little woman said she
would give the Apache dance. She
called a legisltor to her side, but he
was too stout, too scant Of breath and
too unsteady Of foot to be her partner
so she danced alone while the ceiling
rang with applause.
Finally the dawn peered over the
Delaware river, just outside the CAPT.
tol's windows. The women, unaccus-
toned to the splendors of the dawn,
babe the legislators a noisy good-by,
The lawmakers sought their lodging;
the janitors piled the wreckage-empty
bottles, cigarettes and cigar butts In
baskets designed for less ignoble waste.
The session, with its closing amuse-
ments. had ended.
1t was not until late at night that
Governor Fort was informed Of the rev
Ell that had taken place in the capitol
building. He refused to comment upon
it, but his friends remarked upon his
record Of three years as governor, in
which period he had refused to permit
any wines or liquors in the executive
quarters.
Scores Of business men on the street
corners and in stores discussed plans
of expressing their disapproval in q
way that would gain results. Frater-
nal bodies, the, Young Mems Christian
association. and the ministerial bodies
are expected to join in some resolution
to the governor, and it is ever hinted
that several bodies Of voters will re-
ceive recommendations to send differ.
ent representatives to the next legis-
lative term.