Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-01-05

l trust the Railroad Commission will
put before you full and complete re-
port particularly in regard to these
and I hope that your
honorable body will act in such way
as to give these people relief.
The Primary Law.
At the last legislature our psimaxy
law was reenacted and the result
shows some improvement over the
former law. We find, however, that II
is still inadequate in several respects
and we believe that it should be ye-
vised and amended in such way that
it will more etfectually protect tie
parties and assure their solidarity.
Attorney General
ney Generals office has been ore Of
the busiest and probably the nest
overworked department in the stste.
The work which has been done 20 a..
sist the States Attorneys in the strict
enforcement Of law has cost the 1epaDt-
mcnt 3 great deal of time and quito q
large amount of money.
The expenses incurred in the prose
cution of the rate cases far exceed the
estimate that was made by the hast
legislature and ON account of these un-
looked-for necessary expenses, the APP
preparation has been practically ex-
pended l trust the legislature wiz
give this matter it's immediate atten.
ton and appropriate not only Sufficient
money to take care of this department
Tor the balance of the fiscal year, bat
make its appropriation for the coming
two years sufficiently large to permit
a continuation of the effectiveness Of
this department in its work in the in
terests OF the people of the state.
Constitutional Convention
During my incumbency in the Office
of Chief Executive my attention has
often times been called to various de-
fects in our state constitution and I
am convinced that the question of eaA-
ing 4 convention for the purpose Of
revising the present instrument is of
enough Importance to warrant your
serious consideration at this time. It
is evident to me and it must be to all
who are informed on the subject that
the state has developed so rapidly that
our constitution is now mis- t-in
other words the coat has been out
grown. Our statutory laws meet,
amendments, in some instances COM
plete revision, and our entire system
of administration is. in need of many
changes. We are of course unwilling
that any of the safeguards now con
tanned in the constitution bc done
away with but the fact remains that
there are many new provisions as much
needed as any now within the bound
aries of the instrument
State House Grounds
/ believe that the legislature should
make liberal appropriation for pyop-
eriy parking and land-scaping the
grounds surrounding the Capitol Build
ing. This necessary work should be
commenced with complete, systema-
tic and symmetrical plan in view for
the entire grounds. The beauty OF
our new state house will be very much
enhanced thereby The services IT an
efficient land scape gardener should be
secured and retained until the work is
completed.
Care of the State House
In my judgment, the care and man
agement of the state house should be
mittee of three or four of the state
officers, under whom the custodian
should have full power in regard to
the management of the building.
/ also believe that some provision
should be made whereby County and
City jaiis would be inspected by some
officer delegated for that specific werk
Waterways
The subject of the Improvements and
navigation Of the internal waterways
of our country is one of large impor-
tance to the individual states as well
as the nation, and has become vital
issue pertaining to the commercial
welfare and industrial development of
every state.
The federal government has entered
upon policy of Systematically deepen.
ing and improving our navigable wat
ers. South Dakota, having in the Mis-
souri, River and some of her tributar-
border, the means of greatly enlarg-
ing our commerce and Of cheapening
the cost of transportation, should, it
Is ncllcVed, encourage tnlS movement
in all proper and practicable ways.
Conclusion
There are many other subjects de-
serving of special mention but have
already oyertaxed you and in conciu
sion L have only to say that / trust
the measures enacted by the Twelfth
Legislative Session may be source
of benefit and qualification to many
and of injury to none.
The privilege of legislating for the
people of a state is one embodying'
high honor and carries with it a posi-
ton of trust, but yet higher honor
IS due the 1egislatoc who serves tAe
entire state and not any individual,
class, or corporation, and who seeks
only the betterment Of the common
wealth.
Continuous trouble, much litigation,
and great injustice to the people Of
the various states very often are oc-
casioned by legislative documents
which have been carelessly drawn, and
| urge upon you the necessity for the