Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-03-07
CLOCKS WILL
STOP TODAY
South Dakota Legislature Comes to
Close. Many Bills Are
Passed Over.

1913 mas lnueeu Oeeu il'oiJ ooo
from every point of view, from the
Senatorial fight to the last. most ex-
citing of all in the way OF inVestiga-
tions of state officers. From early In
the session there have been charges
of irregularities in the Land Commits
sioner's office, and at last the commit
tee investigating the office, found
that vouchers therein had been pass
ed for $l1O while the person so en-
ployed received but $40 month for
the services, and this upon personal
check. Commissioner Brinker has
resigned and turned into the state
treasury the sam of $685. which was
distracted from state funds upon the
false vouchers and further investiga-
tion Of timber sales by that depart
ment is being conducted by the com
mittee of the legislature. At present
writing the office of Secretary OF State
is being specially Investigated, and
the State engineers office also has
been investigated by the Democratic
Morgan committee on double salaries
and mileage. The Governor Satur-
day made a new appointment in the
way of State Eug ineer, appointing
Professor Homer M. Derr Of Brook
ings College to that position, to sue
ceed Samuel II. Lea, late incumbent
of that office. The governor also ap-
pointed Hon. Marcus P. Beebe, Sr of
Ipwsich as member OF the Board OF
Regents to succeed II. Reinhardt,
and Guy Frieberg of Beresford to sue
ceed himself.
The big fight on the saloon bill
finally ended by passing the measure
with 600 population to l without the
emergency clause, and it is likely
that the saloon people even so will
refer the bill at the next election.
Most of the fire works OF the year was
expended on the Senate Bank guaran-
ty bill this week. which was lost in
that body, very able debates being
led by prominent senators with Nor
gan, Hale, Carol, Murphy and Nor
beck for it and Whitlock, McMaster.
Harris, Mclean and some others op-
posed. AS a matter of record South
Dakota in the past ten years has on
ly lost total of 81 and 1000 of one
percent on bank deposits so perhaps
such law is not needed under our
very excelent banking system.
A most Important measure passed
and signed by. the Governor on the
last day of February was Fl. B. 81,
providing that taxes do not become
delinquent until November lst, and
April 1st, instead of a month earlier
in each case. This enactment will
materially aid farmers in their work
in the fall and in their sale Of stock
in the spring before taxes must be
paid. Having an emergency the law
went into effect Immediately on Feb.
%.
Tho the irregularities in two coun-
ties over wolf bounties gave that sub.
ject black eye, after severe fight
the wolf bounty acts with appropra-
tions of $4,000 carried and the acts
remain unrepealed.
Governor Herried was in the capital
in the interest of two bills, one pro.
viding for vaSectOmy, and the other
for physical examination Of parties
contracting marriage, but the matter
has been given up as being too late
In the session to obtain a fair consi-
deration of the worth of the measures.
They will be re.introduced next ses-
sion of the legislature, as thirty eight
states now have provisions along this
line, South Dakota need not feel a
pioneer in the matter should such
laws be passed here.
Two printing bills have been intro
duced, the latest being by a joint
committee House and Senate, provid-
ing that the Governor shall be print
ing commissioner with power to
appoint a deputy who shall be expert
state printer, and absolutely all state
printing must go thru the hands of
this Commissioner. The other bill
provides for state printing plant,
and for printing com mission, and it
is yet absolutely uncertain which II
either will pass, tho the printing in
vestigation committee having hand
led In their report, most Legislators
are inclined to favor such an indie
pendent printing plant for state use.
The Mothers and Widows pension,
bill, now being agitated all over the
state of Missouri on the question, was
passed In the House unanimously
Friday, and will without any doubt
go thru the Senate in the same
manner. Mcfarland of CodingtOn
introduced the very excellent measure.
The big appropriation bill now be.
ing out of the way safely, being pass
ed with some amendments to the
original committee bill as introduced
the legislature will find its calendar
nearly clear by the end Of the session,
and can adjourn Friday with stopping
the clocks as Is often done, to prolong
the last day.
Senator Mather's bill to repeal the
Richards primary or rather have 9