The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1911-01-06


clock doomed twelve at noon today,
the lawmakers assembled in their re-
spective chambers at the new capitol,
and the twelfth legislature of the state
of South Dakota became an active
institution. Never has the law-making
body of the Sunshine state convened
under more auspicious conditions. The
magnificent new state house, an archi-
tectural gem, plain and dignifed in
line and stately in proportion, made
each legislator unconsciously swell
with pride as he took his seat
Both branches of the legislature i'm
mediately proceeded to the bus ness
session presiding until the new ones
We're elected. G.. j. Morris, of Sock
Falls. was unanimously chosen speak
er of the house. His name was the
only n presented, Representative
lssenhuth. of Redfield. having retired
from the race late last night.
Representative Morris spoke briefly
upon taking the chair and the hou e
proceeded to the electinon of officers.
The business OF the senate was more
OF a routine nature, as there has been
no serious rivalry for the elective Of
fees.
Upon the completion of the organ
ization in both houses, the men be S
Of the senate filed into the no Sc
chamber. where the newly elected
officers were sworn in.
Owing 10 tn fact that Governor Yes
sey sue eeds himself, the inaugu alton
ceremonies were very m PIE an TO m
al. In fact they consisted merely of
the administration Of the oath by the
chief justice Of the supreme co TT.
After all the new members had ta&en
the obligation. the solons settled Gown
to listen to the message of the COVER
nor.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Governor Wesley opened his counsel
to the Legislators with a brief gsnerai
review of the conditions of the state.
He spoke of the steady increase in
our industrial activity, OF the a advance
a.ng educational ] mes. he's growth IN
population and noted the remarkable
re ord made the past two years in the
development of agriculture. He ad-
monished the lawmakers against re-
ia ding the efficiency and progress o.
the state institutions, by lack OF an
propriations. but added the caution
that affairs OF state should be CON-
Quoted as carefully as a private bust
ness or concern.
The governor has the highest praise
for the management OF the state IN
situations, all OF which he reported are
in good condition, INK improving he
called attenti,n to the fat that a
number of prisoners in the state uenl-
tertiary have families which are destl-
tute and suggested that at least a
mart of the earnings of conVl is De
turned over to those who We're de-
pendent uron them for support. he
favors provision for a chaplain fof
the prisoners.
In regard to the primary law. n
governor said it was an Improvement
but still Inadequate. He argued IT
should more %fectually protect h
parties-should prevent n party
from participating in nomination o
another party's ticket for the purpose
of weakening it.. The expense Should
be lessened if possible. also.
The liquor problem he handled with
out gloves. advocating LEGISLATION tend
ing TO discourage the sale and use OIL
intoxicants. -,
Among other suggestions made by
the governor were larger app opria-
| lions for the attorney general n tre
state board Of health: movement o
| better roads and scientific 'rmln
liberal appropriation for the ma nte-
nance of the National Guard and pr'-
vision fer an executive residence In
the capital. He urged a constitution
al convention FOR the purpose of reVls-
ing the state constitution, arguing that
the present instrument is defective
and that many amendments are need
ed.
A few minor matters We're taken NO
when the governor had finished his
address, after which the Legislature
adjourned for the day.
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN.
The probable chairmen of senate
committees will be:
Curtiss. of Aberdeen, judiciary.
Norheck. of Redfield, state.
Bartine, of Oacoma, railroad.
Fedrick, of Brule, election.
Wyman, Of Yankton, ways and
means.
Cone. Of Sioux Falls. cities.
Old senators like Nay and McPher-
son, of Lawrence. Weaver of Brown
and Johnson Of Lake. will likely be
found on their old committees.
Walter Burden of Pierre is the onlv
man mentioned for the position Or
clerk of the house. He was Assist
ant cle~k at the last session und9r
Mr.. Cone. George O. Van Kamp O.
Highmore seems to have a c'ea~ He'd
for the secretaryship of the serafe
Len Simons of Belle Fourche. VIII"
served in that capacity during the
sessions of 1905 and 1907, is said t"
be a candidate but he denies that he
is seeking the situation.
ABOUT THAT might Letter.