Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1915-03-13
PIERRE NEWS
Weekly Resume of Doings by the Legis-
lature-Written for Chronicle
by II. A. Robinson.

IOr tne passage on the Oeneral Appro-
priation bill, which was in deadlock due
to the house adding $1,000 to the senate
bill for the purpose of prosecuting the
interest cases, now pending against for
mer state treasurers, and their bondsmen.
The senate stood pat against it, SO that
towards morning, with the members in
a hurry to get home on the outgoing
trains, the house agreed to strike out the
appropriation. Governor Byrue messag.
ed both houses about midnight urging
the expenditure. From the clean up of
the calendars until adjournment the
houses were at their ease and INDUCED
in the traditional "last night" frivolity,
including singing of popular ballots and
engagements in friendly physical en-
counters.
The general appropriations bill this
year carries a little over two million
seven hundred thousand for the support
of state institutions and offices for the
next two years; an increase of about
$500, 900 or five per cent over two years
ago. However, the axe fell heavy on
special appropriations, so that the total
expenditure is slightly less than that in
1918. Some of the larger specials passed
were Sis, 900 for taxes for common schools
on school lands; $50, 900 for model school,
Madison Normal; $65, 900 for addition to
main building, Northern School; $74 900
for expense of the legislature; $4,000
for new boilers, University central heat
ing plant, $4,000 to complete Chemistry
building University; $50, 900 for improve
ments to the capitol grounds; $4,000 for
general printing of the state for the next
two years; $4,000 for additional land,
deaf mute school; S22, 900 to extend walls,
Sc, 500 for new quarry; and 81, 500 to pur-
chase stock for the penitentiary; and
S75, 900 for new dormitory at State Col
lege. There were considerable num-
Der ofsmal appropriations to indemnify
owners for horses killed for glanders.
There were 1919 enactments, including
amendments, aud resolu
tions; the principle of which are here.
with synopsized.
Several bills drafted by the tax COM
extending powers secured in
1918 became laws. Hereafter the state
tax will have to be endorsed on the
ba oh of q II tay rppaiptS
The ter-Administration bank
bill became a law; and the
Bankers, and Coffey Democratic initiated
laws were referred to the people with.
out changes.
The auto license is fixed at $500 to
be principally expended by the counties
for repair of roads.
The capitol is to be taken from the
custody of the secretary of state and
given to the Governor to be managed
directly through deputy. Constitu
tional amendments which will be sub
mitted to the people at the next election
are; Statewide prohibition; equal suffrage;
twenty year leases for school lands; legis-
lature may fix compensation of consti-
officers; state may engage in
rural credits; land owners adjacent to
same water shed may form irrigation
and new constitutional con-
Changes in educational laws of i'm
portance were the closing of white
schools to Indian children; provision for
of children in the coun.
try; and compulsory education raised
from fourteen to sixteen years.
Important changes in election laws
were; rejuvenation of the old Crawford
primary with registration feature; passed
with emergency so it cannot be referred,
which repeals the present Richards pri-
mary; some initiated amendments to the
Richards primary; the circle is restored
to the head of the party ballot; poll
books are to be returned to auditor, bal
lot boxes to clerk of courts; procedure
for direct election of U. S. Senators; and
Attorney General is to make plain state.
ment of purport of referred laws and
constitutional amendments for the gen.
eral election ballot.
A number of general health bills pass
ed, including prohibition of hypnotism
of minors; the sale of wood alcohol is
regulated; as is the sale of narcotic drugs
commercial stock food Ingredients must
be labeled on cartoon; general stores
may handle common poisons.
A uniform marriage license and GER
tificate has been adopted; divorced
mothers are made eligible for the moth.
er's pension.
Much penal legislation was enacted;
capital punishment was abolished after
strenuous fight in the senate; the shir,
factory at the penitentiary was done
away with; wife desertion was made
felony; the anti cigarette law was repeal.
ed except as to minors; newspapers are
made liable for only actual damages for
libel.
The time for payment Of lands bought
in probate was extended to FIVE years
the executor must election between lega
compensation and that provided in will
and estates may be settled, even though
absent creditor cannot be found; by de
posting the amount due in escrow.
A general assessment sid" law wa,
passed, so that communities cannot rur
taxes sky high under the new full valu
alton assessment; the Inheritance Ia,
law was amended so as not to requir,
hearings eqcept for large estates.