Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-01-19

publication of the statements, thro
the senate. He contends the republi-
can members must vote for it, to be
consistent, as the party platform
pledges them to that course.
Yesterdays Proceedings
The house yesterday passed Sen
for legislative investigation of Old
Soldiers Home at Hot Springs. A
committee of five, three from the
house and two from the senate,
will be appointed for this purpose.
The measure will likely go to the
governor today.
Another big batch of bills was in
troduced in the house yesterday.
The one which created the most talk
was the measure offered by Helger-
son. calling for the abolition of the
office of the state engineer. Grams
tons bill doing away with the Tel
ephone Inspector also started con-
siderable discussion.
Fewer bills We're introduced in the
senate than on the previous day and
two were brought up for third read
No. introduced by Cone of Mime
haha, providing for the collection of
special assessment taxes by county
auditors, was passed as was also
Senate bill No. by Norbeck, approp-
Rating $4,000 for the general ex-
pense of the attorney generals Of
flee. These bills We're reported to
the house.
Following are the bills introduced
Pierre-The number of resolutions
introduced in both the house and
the senate, calling for constitution
al amendments, has very natural
ly given rise to the question of q
general revision of the instrument.
That our constitution is today a mis-
fit, seems to be the concensus of opin-
ion. in fact an overwhelming ma
jority of the members of both houses
agree with Governor Wesley that it
is defective and that our entire sys-
tenn of administration is in need OF
many changes.
But many legislators. when called
upon for an expression on the subject,
while admitting that the CONSTITUTE n
should be revised, add that the matter
should be taken up with the utmost
caution. They fear the tendency of
the times is toward radical legisla-
ton and cite the constitution of Ok
lahoma as an example of what should
be avoided. On the other hand, those
heartily endorsing the movement,
state that no radical clauses could
get through a body of competent men
and that even if they did, would not
be endorsed by the masses at the polls.
Whatever the view taken, it is very
probable that an amendment will be
made and the question put before the
people. Should such course be
adopted, it is problematical when a
constitutional convention would lie
called, but it is very likely it would
not be before next year.
Representative Bruce of Yankton
proposed constitutional amendment
which would revolut onize compile civ
our present legislative system. His
resolution calls for four year terms
for members of the legislatu e, one
half the number to be elected every
two years. The sessions of the legis-
lature would be limited to thirty days
and held annually An additional feat
ure is that two-thirds vote would be
required to pass a bill in either as
sembly.
Another proposed constitutional
amendment is that offered by Gemmin,
creating board of control. The new
body would consist of three members
and the authority of the board would
extend to all state institutions. This
would mean the abolition of the board
of Charities and corrections and the
Soldiers Home board.
The first meeting OF the apportian
mont ncrnYniffoe h,.O,,oht al M
definite conclusions, though there are
few facts to be gathered from the
discussion.
1t would appear that that section
west of the river will gain in rep e.
sentation in the next Legislature,
though the total representation will
likely remain the same. The senate
at present has its constitutional limit
of forty-6ve members. The house is
permitted to have 1876, but it is ben
orally believed the present membership
Of 104 is enough
The section west of the river will
doubtless make a gain of at least
two senator's, and three or four rep
resentatives. Perkins, Harding and
Butte counties are at present repre-
sented by one member in the house,
P. j. Tscharner, OF Lennon. On &C
count of the big increase in population
it is probable that each one of these
counties will be given representative.
Ziebach, Dewey and Corson counties,
while rather thinly populated at pres
ent, are gaining and they may be
granted representative in the next
house
If the representation in either body
is not raised, the question arises, what
sections east of the river are going
to lose to make up the gains of the
section west? This is to be decided.
The present ratio is approximately
one representative for every $500 OF
the population and one senator for
every $4,000 people.
Representative Anderson's proposed
primary places the town, and the coun-
ty boards in charge of primaries and
elections. All supplies are to be sent