The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-02-06
LEGISLATIVE
NEWS OF WEEK
COMMITTEE FROM LEGISLATURE
is INVESTIGATING STATE
PENITENTIARY
THE PRINTING RING" IS UNDER FIRE
House Passes Constitutional Conven-
tion BiIl-Dick Richards Wants a
State Information Bureau

Pierre, Feb. 3.-After a vacation of
five days the legislature ~reconvened
on Tuesday and has settled down to
daily routine again. During the week
Pierre, and was attended by about
1000 delegates 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 a
speech declared in certain terms what
he had previously stated that he con
demned all state officials who neglect
ed their duty to the state, and the
ed one which particularly commended
this statement. Regent Hitchcock,
speaking upon one of the programs,
strongly advocated a consolidation of
the states institutions of higher learn
ing at some central point, that there
might be less duplication of work and
expense than there is now. A bill is
likely to be initiated toward such an
end, and will undoubtedly be submit
ted to the people for their approval at
the e 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 highways, as Is done
successfully In Colorado and some
other states. Irrigation received spec
ial attention and those delegates COM
ing 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.
There seems to be a strong senti-
ment in favor of building a gubernat-
torial residence at the capitol and
Giedt of Mcpherson, two years ago
a leader in the legislative economy
league, has introduced a bill providing
for n with an appropriation of $780,
900 to construct and equip it.
J. l.. White OF Sioux Falls, in adj
dressing the conservation congress and
Legislators, stated that a convict in the
South Dakota pe~nitentiary, provoked
by an III tempered guard, committed a
trivial offense for which he was put
into the dungeon without a bed and
had to live on bread and water for 10
days. Governor Byrne and the dele
gates were much aroused by the state
ment and sent a telegram to the In
v~estigating committee which Is now at
Sioux Falls to look into the matter.
White spoke in commentator of
Warden Swanson, but said the deputy
warden dominated Swanson and keeps
everyone in the ~penitentiary in mortal
terror.
White of Lyman, has a bill providing
for a statement that shall be printed
upon the official ballot, prepared by
the attorney general and approved by
the governor, stating that a vote ives"
will produce a certain effect and vote
mo" the other, as upon many constitu-
tional 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 a
constitutional amendment in the sen
ate providing for $40 a day for legis-
lators, for it is impossible at the pres
ent rate of S. to come out whole at the
end of the session.
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 present appro-
priation, is filling a long felt want, and
will be steadily maintained in the
future.
Several railroad bills have been in
troduced by Hart of Lawrence. one
providing for vestibules on all cars.
and another prescribing employees on
trains. Colgan of Fall River. intro
duced = bill providing. for the exter-
minAtion Of prairie dogs, and > bill
siying one day Of rest "a seven, to en-
pl9yeeo III certain ee&abHshmenta
Swanson az Bfoxr y