The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-01-19
VSOLONS AT WORK
TAE GOVERNORS SUGGESTION
ON CONVICT LABOR PAY
VIEWED FAvORA6LY
PRIMARIES and ELECTION
B'selow's Bill Combines Primary and
Election, Holding Both at the
Same Time, Changing
Form of Ballot

That the present session OF the
legislature will give serious consider
alton to the question of paying cen
yicts for their labor, is certain. Gov
ernor Vessey's suggestions along that
line have been commented upon very
favorably, and it is probable that the
Board of Charities and Corrections
will be autho lied TO carry them out.
There are two vital reasons for the
necessity for such legislation. The
first is that conViCtS are frequently
released from the peE~itentiahy, plac-
tically penniless. They not only can
not rea h their homes without state
aid. but are at a decided disadvantage
IN starting out to earn an honest llv-
ing. The second reason is prouaOly
more foTceful as it concerns the Gam
ilies Of the prisoners. 1t is seldom
#Nhat the criminal suffers alone for
his miSdemeanor. The wife and chi
dren are often left prOyerty stricken
and without means of support when
the husband and father is taken t ON
them. If the prisoner Is allowed to
work and is earn ne money, a portion
of his earnings could be very easily
Appropriated 10 aSSlSt HIS heeuy AIM
ly and possibly relleNe aCtual s"nef-
ins.
The measure introduced by Repre-
sentative Geidt, II. B. No. so, calls FOR
the payment OF cow cts 10 tneIr Ia
boTs. II is very similar TO the North
Dakota statute. which has proven to
be an excellent departure. The Dill
authorizes the Board OF Charities and
CprppDfiDnc RI nav rHnNipfg nOt IN pY-
coed one dollar per day for Their la
Dor. The first $25 is to he Withheld
until the prisoner leaves the institu-
ton when it is to be given to him.
OF the amounts over SIS, fv $
is to be seat TO his fam ly, II he has
any, and the remaining one-sl\th add
ed to the prisoners fund. A work .nS
day is to consist Of ten hours. Mt.
Geidt'S bill is looked upon with favor
and # eXpe ted to pass Ooth houses.
Representative HigeloW OF L9wren e
has a primary bill which IS probably
the most IeVoIut onary OF any O. the
measures so far suggested. M. Blge-
low Would comb ne the primary ana
the general election and mold them
. al the same time MS IS the eApth sc
saving teature-tne otneF rauical
3 chsnge comes IN the DalIol'
5 One ballot Is so as 10 SUI
z hse for Doth the primary the cleo
:. ton. At the top or the ucFet a"e the
l. EN- ABOVE them' IN "nlCn tne 'oter
may pace MS cross ihulcatIhs Tue
II party ior which ne WISHES - VIZ.
4 d the party NAMES are ui'l9IonS
Tor the iactions VI sIaCe9 vi 'anui,
u dates 1hese dlVlslohs are hulhOele"
beginning WIN one gnu L'In ~ ~
secutlVely across tine oalIot' Inc
eleCtoT Is 10 place d SloS9 III I'm
OF the c~ahuicates loF Whom ne "LshHS
49, U' roce;ving - mpoioritv for his Of
e. miN ha tba NOMINEES and cad n
nnaoiwod tho rTr,bor of votes cast
&C. +ba nortv &c irdicotad INV iba
rroseoo in the circles at the ton
prhhor etomDe with Numbers co.,
rasnCnding to tbe Numbers If The di-
visions are nroyided Now should
m oIector wieh to "scratcb" his a'lOt
he would mark with the rubber stamp
at the right of the ballot and in a
direct line with the favored candidate,
the number of the division.
4 Mr. Bigelow's measure is a radical
\ aeparture f,om the present sy tim,
and shows a very serious study of the
problem. But lust how such a prCpo-
sition will be looked upon by the
solons is a question.
"
Pierre-Legislative circles are Cuiet
today Bur~h's bill authorizing circuit
courts of the stare to settle affa,rs Gn1
property rights of mining corporation
ve which have been di so'ved by law, BY
he expiration of time lmited by ar|l les
"S -