The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-01-16
oNE.mousE IncIsrlarrnE.

one 81 thc proposals that Is sure 4
attract special attention IN the coming
session Of the south Dakota Legislature
b that for n radical change In IN,
form OF the state legislature. Senator
r e. Dowdeli. a Democrat. won By
a strong majority In a Republican dis
trict on hts declaration to ask for a
one-house legislature. composed OF one
membcr from each judicial district. a.
a substitute Tor the present house OF
1of members and a senate OF Sc MEM
beers. .as
South Dakota has II judicial sfr-
cults. therefore the Legislature unde-
the Dowdell plan would consist OF
II members, vested with full law
making powers. II IL the theory Of
the author OF this proposal that the
representatives composing the new
form Of legislature should be paid
$1,000 a yea each. thus making the
positions attractive TO the best bust
ness and LEGAL talent In the state.
Senator Dowdeil claims that tho
two-house pIan does not now work out
as a protection 10 the public. In
actual practice the relations betwees
the two houses usually become re-
taliatory. having little reference to the
merits Of measures under considera /.
ton. IL is confidently asserted that q
state legislature made up OF one houss
having a member from each judicial
circuit will be fully representative Of
local -0terests and OF state interests.
The general theory is that legislation
should apply only 10 state affairs. or
20 measures having a general state
application In practice. however. a
large part OF the program IN any
state legislation is made up OF local
trades-gettins special privileges for
n locality IN exchange for special
privileges 10 other localities. Sec
tionai interests would not be entirely
eliminated under the Dowdell legis-
lative plan, but they would be broad
ened greatly. Il is claimed. The state
house OF Representatives. as a small.
business body, could do business In
a business way. with a minimum Of
ynimDortant legislative oratory.
Senator Dowdeil's idea Is that al
one house legislature should hold OF
least two sessions a year. ccnsumins
as much time as necessary 10 trans
act all business. The expense of this
house would be much less than |
the present biennial sessions.
AS the makeup of the present legis-
iatiye body is partially fixed in the
state constitution. the rover OF the
Is limited to submitting
toe Dowdeil plan 90 the people in the
% a constitutional amendment.
under South Dakota regulations. an
amendment Is submitted after favor
able action at one Legislative session.
III Tue Dowdeil paE gets favorable
consideration, therefore. IL will GOMEZ
the voters in the general cleo
ton in 1918.
The South Dakota plan Is not alto
original. Former Governor
George H.. Hodges Of Kansas. and.
strangely enough. a Democrat. too ad-
Voee,ed a similar plan several years
ngo.
We are slow TO overturn any Of curl
established Institutions. particular
y those whose foundations rest upon
Whenever you begin aeltat-
ms fewer political Jobs the "boys
risions Of their pie cards slipplng
awaS from them and a mighty howl Of
goes up Immediately. But the
country win watch South Dakota. Ifl
one-house legislature becomes a
and proves 20 be an its
sponsors claim FOR II. perhaps other
will open their eyes. override
politicians. and follow suit.