The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-01-19

Pierre, S. D., Jan. 17.-Just what the
present Legislature will do, economic
ally inclined, as it is. with the recon-
mendations for large appropriations
for the state educational institutions,
Is hard to tell. The Importance of the
high standard and excellence of the ed
ucational system OF the state is rec
ognized by all Of the members OF the
legislature, but with bills introduced
already abolishing three Of the state
departments. which must be decided
upon, and which, il abolished, will
mean saving of about $4,000 annu-
ally, the appropriation of an additional
100000 for the maintenance Of the ed
ucational institutions becomes a prob
lem. The last legislature appropriated
$50, 800 for salaries and maintenance of
the university, $55,750 for the college
OF agriculture at Bookings, $4,000 for
the school of mines. $32,500 for. the
Madison Normal school, ST., 900 for the
Springfield Normal, $4,000 for the
Spearfish Normal, $4,000 for the Aber-
deem Normal.
1t can readily be seen that addition
al appropriations are essential and no
doubt the amount appropriated by the
last session will be increased. but
probably not by the sum desired by
the institutions and by the board of
regents, who recommend largely in
creased appropriations in their report
to the governor.
Tax Commission Reports.
The tax commission, appointed by the
governor, consisting of III. X. Warren,
president Of Yankton college, John b.
Hanten, Of WATERFOWL, and Dean Ster-
ling, OF the state university, is ready
to report and will recommend that a
state taxation board be formed, three
members Of which are to be appointed
by the governor, one member for two
years, one for four years, and one for
six years. at the expiration of whose
terms members are to be appointed for
full terms OF six years, thus providing
for succession so that the member
ship Of the board will not change en-
tirely at any time. These three men,
bers are to have complete authority
In matters of taxation and are to be
salarfed at 1900 per annum, thereby
coming into the duties of the present
board OF equalization, at present COM
prised Of several Of the heads OF state
departments. The tax commission will
also recommend constitutional
amendment giving the power Of classi-
hcatton OF property for taxation to the
legislature.
Revision of Constitution.
The talk of revision OF the constitu-
ton is being heard so frequently now
adays, that without doubt some steps
will be taken to bring about q change,
Tor the opinion held regarding the state
constitution is that 1t Is hardly more
than collection Of statutory laws.
The revision OF the constitution, as
provided therein, Is process which
cannot be accomplished In two or four
years, but will require six. The mat
ter OF revision must be brought before
the people at general election two
years hence. at which time the legis-
lature will be elected to meet in 1918.
This legislature can make call for a
convention, and at the election of 1914
the people could elect delegates to the
constitutional convention. whose con-
stitution as formed would come up for
ratification by the legislature Of the
year 1917, which would be the first to
meet subject to the provisions Of the
new proposed constitution. Since the
forming Of a new constitution Is such
long drawn out process, and the
present legislature can have nothing to
do with the drafting Of it, 1t is quite
probable that the first steps in the six
year process will be taken this win
ter.
The daylight saloon bill has been
considered by the temperance commit
tee OF The house, and will be recon-
mended for passage.
Investigation COMMITTEES.
The soldiers home investigating
committee has held its first meet and
organized by the election of Senator
Wyman as chairman and Representa-
tive Cranston as secretary. They will
select u stenographer later and will go
to Hot Springs on Thursday of next
week to begin their investigation OF
conditions at the home