Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1913-01-18
FROM THE VIEWPOINT
OF A TFERAGIST,

EnSm InE t1h !" roINI
OF A SU UFFERAGIST.
The editor Of the CHRONICLE asked me
to write up little trip to the State Capi.
tai and as a heading also is demanded l
choose the above.
went to Pierre as a member of the
state executive board of the Equal
Franchise League, and am pleased to
note here, that the path of the suffragist
at Pierre this winter is strewn with
flowers. found the sufFragist head.
quarters in the private parlor ofthe wife
of the proprietor of the St. Charles
hotel, that lady having graciously given
it up to the ladies needing it. Also we
were most heartily welcomed to the
Office of the state attorney general,
Royal Johnson, who told us to use the
Office as Capitol headquarters and offer
ed the services of his stenographer. If
there were organized opposition to the
cause of equal suffrage, it was not mani
fest, on the contrary, the courtesies
were so many as to astonish one who
still, somehow cherishes the belief that
she is following an unpopular cause.
On Tuesday, the 9TH at noon, the
galleries of the lower house were crowd
ed with interested spectators, waiting to
see House of Representatives organic
ed and governor inaugurated. The
house chamber is a beautiful one
though not equal to that of the senate,
and the ceremonies, ancient as to origin
were impressive and dignifed.
The personnel of the House is fairly
strong, and almost unanimously Repub-
lican, as was evidenced by the choice of
a Speaker, also by the gay ease with
which a lone Democrat imbued with
fervent desire to save his grand state from
some future Cannon" was steam roller
ed For three successive days this hero
offered his resolution, designed to head
off future Gar, and twice was ruled
out of order, and then on an appeal from
the Chair was buried beneath an ava
lanche of adverse votes. The story will
make interesting campaign documents
two years hence.
To return to the House gallery on
Tuesday, the addresses of both retiring
and incoming Governors were long but
business-like and very progressive in
suggestions. 1t noted particularly ref
erences to the needs of the Sanatorium
and criticism of our convict lease system.
The ceremony of inauguration itself was
simple but impressive. At night, with
the rest of the Pierre world, We attended
the Governors reception in the Capitol.
1t was most brilliant event. The beau
tiful cleaning marbles of the rotunda
and galleries, the wide spaces, the flow-
ers and the music were wonderful set
ting for the kaleidoscope of color and
motion-beauty and dignity furnished
by the hundreds of guests. People who
knew, informed me, that the gowns of
many of the ladies were Partisan, etc.
chiefly noted the exquisite coloring and
the wealth of lovely material on the
floor, contrasted with the excessive
economy elsewhere. To summarize, the
Receiving line was very long. the com.
pany very large, the music exquisite
and the entire effect charming. South
Dakota may well be proud of her beau
tiful Capitol. 1t is more than adequate
to our young state, is in excellent
taste and compares favorably with other
of our sister states. was very desirous
of seeing the house and senate engaged
in active work, but l was too early in
the session and the chief business SEEM
ed routine, obliterating unfortunate
Democrats and adjourning. The main
business was being transacted behind
closed doors and negotiated in the lobby
of the st. Charles.
The "Third House" as people inter-
ested in various measures, and in Pierre
to promote them are called, was large and
very busy. heard talk relative to the
welfare of our own special institution
the Sanatorium-and learned that there
was much interest in the subject. As
said Equal Suffrage is seemingly popu-
lar measure, and the prospects Of the
next "step in Democracy" being speedily
taken in South Dakota are very good.
One impression left in mind as re-
! suit of this little visit is that Pierre, dur
| ing Legislative sessions is the most in
teresting spot in South Dakota, one most
worthy of a pilgrimage.
KATHERIKE W. POWELL.