Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-02-12
STEPHENS RECORD
Electric Headlight Legislation, and
Stephens Record as a Lobbyist
Against the Measure

Against the Measure
Mr.. Stephens, minority candidate
for State Senator from this district,
is sending circular letter to the re-
publican voters of the District. In
this he states, '.It is what a man does
that should be considered-not what
be may say" He submits therein
his candidacy TO the people on his
record. and asks them to judge his
Qualifications accordingly.
1t is but fair, then, that the people
should know any and all matters con-
nected with Mr.. Stephens record that
may help them in deciding between
his candidacy and that of his com
petitor in the primary, Mr.. Payne.
In response to the invitation in his
circular letter, we shall submit be
low, and in succeeding issues, some
matters from the record of Mr.. Ste
phens-this for the consideration of
the voters at the primary.
The agitation for improved head.
lights to locomotive engines began
with the loosening of the grip of the
Railway and other corporations upon
the legislature and politics of the
state. In 1909, the different orders of
railway trainmen sent delegates to
the Legislature, then under the con
troll of the Progressive Republicans
They asked for an electric headlight
law for the protection of themselves
and the travelling public. The rail
roads summoned their paid lobbyists
and counsel to defeat the measure.
The progressive republican legisla.
ture passed the bill, and Governor
Vessey signed it. The railroads petit
toned for referendum, and, at the
election of 1910, with the aid of the
standpat newspapers of the state, sue
ceeded in defeating the law at the
polls.
At the Legislature of 1911, Pro-
gressive Republican Legislature, the
railway trainmen again asked for this
law. Railroad attorneys and repre-
sentatives stormed the legislature to
defeat it. The measure was passed
and signed by the governor. Again
the railroads invoked the referendum,
and started up it's chorus of standpa,
newspapers. But the people were
better informed. The Republican
Party at its convention of July 2,
1912, controlled by progressive re-
publicans, placed in its platform this
plank:
FIFTEEN-We recommend to the
voters of this state favorable consid-
GRAFTON of the measure termed the
Electric Headlight Bill.
1t is recent history that. at the
election of 1912, the Headlight Bill
won at the polls and became a law in
December, 1912. The railroads could
not finally defeat the Bill, but they
delayed its taking effect for nearly
four years.
In this fight against property inter
ests for the protection Of human life,
Mr.. Stephens was on the side, and
lent his time and talents to the side
of the special property interests. He
is on record so. The progressive re-
publican legislature of 1907 passed
the antilobby bill. The law requir-
ed person employed 'tas counsel or
agent to promote or oppose in any
legislation affecting the pecuniary
interests Of any individual, associa-
tion or corporation as distinct from
those of the whole people of the state"
to register Is lobbyist in the Office of
the Secretary of State. Obedient to
that law, Mr.. Stephens recorded in
his own handwriting, and over his
own signature, the following:
L. L. Stephens, of Pierre, s. D.,
Attorney. Counsel to appear before
Legislative committees of 1911 Ses-
sion, for Pierre, Rapid City 8 North
western Ry. Co., in matters relating
to Electric or other Headlight legis-
lation.
l.. L. Stephens.
The above is public record open
to your inspection. Mr.. Stephens
has invited you to consider same.
Others will be referred to next
issue.