The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-01-16

people of Springfield a preference
right to bid in the buildings for any
purpose they might decide to use
them for, This is a part of the SEN
timent for the consolidation of state
institutions and the elimination of
those considered not absolutely nee
essary which has been more or less
prevalent for several sessions, but
never has been so strongly advocated
as at the present time.
Henry Peters Is here from Spear
fish and wants an investigation of
what he alleges to be conditions" at
that institution. He was here at the
opening of the session talking
! against the school and claims that
Wednesday night a party of students
took him from his home and attempt
ed to tar and feather him, and he
wants the matter investigated.
A series of letters from county
commissioners over the state TO the
members from their various coun-
ties, objecting to the giving OF a state
highway commission any powers to
establish or lay out highways within
the state, shows an indication to OBJ
iect TO any state supervision, with a
desire TO keep all road control in the
hands OF the local authorities. 1t is
alleged that this flood of letters starts
from the commissioners of Bon
Homme county, who have asked the
commissioners of other counties to
join with them in q general protest
against supervision by state author
ity.
Senator Mclean introduced his
resolution for an investigating com
mittee to look into the method of
state accounting to find if any waste
full use is being made of state funds,
and report the same to the session
not later than the fortieth day.
The house passed its first bill OF
the session, being one for the regu-
lation of the issuance of patents by
the state land department.
The senate took action on secur-
ing a site for a governors mansion
by the appointment of members OF a
joint committee.
If the legislators get into the abol-
ishing mood, a state of mind indicat-
ed by the character of some of the
late bills introduced, they may come
| nearer to measuring up to the wishes
| of the people concerning legislation.
| A legislature that repealed more laws
than il passed would be something
of a novelty, but might be a very
popular legislature.
Senator Howell of Mcpherson
county struck a popular chord when
he offered a bill repeating the state
bureau of information law. n OF
Il thu nWnAanf. 30 thA DNrh pla VhItls
tank. Some time ago the county au-
ditor OF Sphinx county undertook Ia
get expressions from his fellow Off
GERS in the other counties as to the
use being made of the information
bureau. They all with one accord
testified to its being a dead letter
Notwithstanding thousands of dol
lars had been put up by the taxpayers
for an expensive system of huge
blank books in which to keep the
records of the age, race, religion. etc
of applicants for jobs. An economy
Legislature ought TO put through Sen
ator Howell's bill with alacrity.
Senator Berndt of Bon Homme i
also having a try at abolishing in hi,
bill repeating the highway commits
sion which was established by act o.
the legislature.
An attempt will be made to force
Gov. Byrne to comply with the soi
diers' preference law, enacted -four
years ago, in making an appointment
on the state board of health. Tho
statute is very drastic in its pro
visions. even carrying a penalty
clause. but for some reason it has
not been invoked TO any extent.