The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-02-15
THE LEGISLATURE
CLOSING DAY FOR INTRODUCING
BILLS-LARGEST NUMBER
IN HOUSE.

into the legislative hopper the last
day for general introduction of bills
was 143 different bills and joint res
olutions, of which the largest num-
Der was in the house. In that list
there were four resolutions for con-
stitutional amendments - n to
make crop insurance a public pur-
pose, another proposing an amend
ment to provide for a system of rural
credits and the other for the
suffrage amendments, one for com
plete suffrage, the other for a vote
on liquor licenses.
The house turned down the adj
verse railway committee report on
the half-mile train limit bill on the
plea that the bill should have con-
sideration of the whole house, re-
CARELESS of the committee indorse-
ment. After this action Mcfarland
moved that all bills in the hands OF
committees be returned to the house
for action In committee of the whole
and that no other bills be referred to
committees. He made a strong pro-
test against overturning committee
reports in this and other cases, but
his motion got slight support.
In the senate there was a tangle
over the Berndt bill to abolish the
state highway commission, in which
Berndt, Urdahl and Odlund support
ed the bill. with Hagen. Stephens,
Mclean, Hayes and Stutenroth OPP
posing the measure, which was de-
feated.
The committee on purchase of a
residence for the governor recon-
mended that the state purchase the
residence of A. w. Ewert for such
purpose at a price of $Z5.000 for the
structure and furnishings.
In the senate the resolution for a
straight prohibition amendment to
the state constitution was presented
and will be followed by an initiated
law in case the legislature refuses to
send the proposed amendment to the
people.
The women have outlined their
program and have three propositions
to put up to the legislature. One,
the municipal suffrage bill, passed by
the house, will no doubt go to the
referendum If passed by the senate.
Another is a complete equal suffrage
amendment to the constitution and
the third Is an amendment to the
constitution which allows them Il
vote on liquor license along with the
vote on educational questions. which
right is already given them in the
original constitution. The full suf-
frage resolution and the one giving
I -. x,14a on lt0tnr IfonnCn will ha
introduced at the session tomorrow.
The women take the position that
they would prefer municipal suffrage
now, but the three propositions will
be up to allow the voters to take
their choice from.
The county bridge bill has been
introduced i'm both houses. In the
house it is fathered by Representa-
tive Berdahl and in the senate by
Senator Pearson. A large number
of senator's and representatives have
been working or this ball and 1t has
strong backing. They have been or
ganizing their forces carefully and
are prepared to meet any onslaught
of county commissioners and states
attorneys, such as rushed to the cap
itol to defeat a similar bill two years
ago.
Trains, hotels and Hobbies will be
watched closely and ii is planned TO
give full publicity to arrivals of coun-
ty officers when the bridge bills are
under consideration. In nearly ev-
cry county of the state the activity of
the bridge companies, their evident
combinations and collisions, and
their favors to county commissioners
have been a public scandal. The peo-
pie of the state r pretty thoroughly
aroused on the subject and with pub
licity of their movements planned 1t
is not believed county officials will
care to engage In a lobby movement
such as was undertaken two years
ago.
The new bill has been carefully
drawn with a view to putting an end
to present abuses. The most impor-
tant provision is that requiring the
letting of each bridge contract sep
arately. Commissioners are empow-
cred to proceed forthwith to repair
or build where there is immediate
necessity up to a cost of $3.50. Bids
are " Dc optitu tWAtt a. ytdt, III
January and July. after due notice.
The state engineer is to examine all
bids on request of the commissioners
and must supervise the construction
of all bridges costing more than 49,
900. The commissioners may adver-
tise for material and have the bridges
constructed under their W super
vision. Townships and incorporated
towns may build bridges and cul-
verts costing less than $50. In the
case of patented bridges the county
will pay the royalty in all cases, so
that every bridge firm may be on an
equal basis in the bidding On cor
struction of a patented bridge. 1t is
made a felony for any bridge com
pany or agent to make presents to
county commissioners for the pur-
pose of influencing their action. The
bill carries the emergency clause.
MISUSE OF U. s. FLAG