Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1913-02-08
LEGISLATIVE DOINGS
summary Of Few Of the Bills Intro
duced and Passed. Other Items
Of Interest.
BY HARRY A. ROBINSON.


gates from all parts Of the state, while
specially interesting speakers conducted
the three programs each day. Governor
Byrne took charge of the Educational
section, and in speech declared in cer-
tain terms what he has previously stated
that he condemned all state officials who
neglected their duty to the state, and
the Congress in their final resolutions
passed one which particularly commend
ed this statement. Regent Hitchcock,
speaking upon one of the programs,
strongly advocated a consolidation of the
states institutions of higher learning at
some central point, that there might be
less duplication of work and expense
than there is now. A bill will likely be
initiated toward such an end, and will
undoubtedly be submitted to the people
for their approval at the next general
election. The Black Hills people sent
a special train to the Congress boosting
for good roads and they are especially in
favor of having convict labor on high
ways, as is done successfully in Colorado
and some other states. Irrigation re.
csived special attention and those dele
gates coming from west of the river who
SO much need favorable legislation in
that line were encouraged by the willing
sentiment expressed by delegates and
legislators from east of the Missouri.
The Fasteners are beginning to realize
the great possibilities of the western part
of the state, which as yet are in their
infancy.
This week the Senate has passed Nor
beck's Tax Commission bill, which has
been introduced in the same form by
Mr.. Bielski, of Stanley, in the House
also Amsden's public library bill and an
act which very materially extends the
powers of executive accountant. Both
houses have passed the resolution pro-
viding for submission of the people of
the question of constitutional conven-
ton. Ifapproved two years hence, the
next Legislature will have to provide for
the membership, details, etc., and thus
the members will be elected in 1915,
and the constitution submitted for rati-
fication in 1918, which seems a long way
off.
There seems to be strong sentiment
in favor of building gubernatorial resi-
dence at the Capitol and Giedt. of Nc
Pherson, two years ago leader in the
Legislative Economy League, has intro
duced bill providing for one with an
appropriation of 500, 900 to construct and
equip it.
]. L. White, Of Sioux Falls, in address
ing the Conservation Congress and leg.
islators, stated that a convict in the 8
D. Penitentiary, revoked by an ill tenn
pered guard, committed trivial offense
for which he was put into the dungeon
without bed and had to live on bread
and water for 10 days. Governor Byrns
and the delegates were much aroused by
the statement and sent a telegram to the
Investigating committee which is now at
Sioux Falls to look into the matter.
White spoke in commendation of War.
den Swanson, but said the deputy War
den dominates Swanson and keeps every
one in the Penitentiary in mortal ter
ror.
White, of Lyman, has a bill providing
for statement that shall be printed up.
on the official ballot, prepared by the
Attorney General and approved by the
Governor, stating that vote "yes" will
produce certain effect and vote "no"
the other, as upon many constitutional
amendments and referred bills voters
have been much misled as to the effect
the vote would have, due to the involved
wording of the title.
Bowel, of Lake, has introduced con-
stitutional amendment in the Senate
providing for $40 day for legislators,
for it is impossible at the present rate
of SIS to come out whole at the end of
the session.
The investigation committee on print
ing is holding daily sessions and will
bring everybody on the carpet at some
time or other within a week or two, evil
dence being taken and the committee
sitting as Court in the premises. At
Sioux Falls the Penitentiary investi-
gators are at work and the "cost of ad-
ministration" committee are also at " ork
here, and this week a new investigation
has been started concerning the affairs
of the Plankinton training school.
A bill has been introduced to abolish
the newly made Immigration Depart
ment, but it is the sentiment of many
members that the Department having
done all it could with the present APP
preparation, is filling a long felt want,
and will be steadily maintained in the
future.
Several railroad bills have been intro
duced by Hart, of Lawrence, one provid-
ing for vestibules on all cars, and an
other prescribing employees on trains.
Colgan, of Fall River, introduced bill
providing for the determination of
prairie dogs, and bill giving one day of
rest in seven to employees in certain
establishments.
Swanson, of Brown, introduced a bill
prohibiting private booths in restaur
ants, hotels and eating houses, which is
causing much comment, and he also has
bill regulating the sale Of ofdynamite and
high explosives.
Tidbloom, of McCook, has q measure
regulating salaries of County Auditors,
to be fixed by the assessed valuation Of
their counties.
The session is now half over, and from
the indications of the first half, will &C.
complish more than any other session
before.