Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-01-25

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fributsng nothing in taxesstc the up
building OF the community 81 in boar
Ing IL burdens: roads must be built
and maintainedsschool provided and
the state will neither sell the lands
to settlers nor In any way contribute
to the upkeep. For four years 3 small
appropriation has been made TO con-
tribute to roads and schools in dis
tricts where this land predonlinates
and this year Patterson OF Potter is
making = determined fight to increase
this provision SO that the few settlers
in these communities will get substan-
tial relief. Naturally members from
more favored sections do not relish
the idea OF increased taxes for the
purpose and the latter greatly pre-
dominate. Still, in a spirit OF fairness.
most OF them admit that some relief
should be afforded.
A sensation has been sprung by
charges lodged with the speaker of
the house by r. NJ. Lockhart Of Rapid
City, charging Judge MCGEE. circuit
judge OF the Eighth circuit, Of subor-
nation of perjury and other misdeeds. !
II appears that the crimes charged
are outlawed and it is questionedI
whether or not that fact precludes
impeachment. Definite action upon
the charges will not be taken until
the return from the recess.
+
The constitutional amendment per-
hitting the state to engage in power
development passed the senate with
out a dissenting vote. The. sentiment
for retaining these to the
public is very strong and has been
greatly augmented by the arbitrary
advance In the price of coal this win
ter. The same sentiment will doubt
less lead to the submission of the
cement amendment. The very impor-
tant cement works at Yankton fell
into the hands OF the trust about seven
years ago and have since been idle.
II the trust will not utilize our de-
posits there 10 q disposition to pro-
vide that the public may, especially
in view OF the great demand for ce-
ment within the state tor highway
construction. On top of these special
amendments permitting the state to
engage in these industries Evanders
resolution taking off the lid complete
~ is being favorably considered.
+ 4. i
There 10 developing a very interest
ing situation between the "bone dry"
and the Slightly wet" prohibitionists
and meetings are being held through
out the state for the discussion OF the
proposition. The Anti-Saloon league
bill has been introduced and provides
a slightly wet" program. This is be-
ing opposed by the old school prohibit
tionists, who are for the bone dry,
while the moderate prohibitionists
are for slightly wet. The Anti-Saloon
league is OF the opinion that q very
large number of people voted dry last
| fall to get rid OF the saloons, but not
to keep citizens from getting an occa-s
sional nip for the stomach's sake, and
that as leaders in the movement the
league members are rather commit
ted to the proposition that such
friends shall have their nip. From
all appearances the bone dry" propo.
| sition is the ~fayorite with the mem
bers generally and is likely to pre-
vail. The bill pending allows each
citizen to enjoy a quart of whisky or.
three gallons Of beer once in sixty
days, but there is SO much publicity
! required to get it that yer few will
avail themselves of the privilege
should the bill pass in its present
form.
The emeritus position" bill, provid-
ing thai educators after twenty-five
years service may be put upon half
pay by the regents, has been amend
ed INTO an educational pension fund
proposition which automatically In
sures every person employed by the
beard Of regents. Three per cent Of
the salary of each is withheld by the
| state and placed in the fund. Persons
withdrawing from the service are pro-
tected by liberal provisions and super
anuates get half pay, not to exceed
$1,000 per year for life. The idea
seems practical and popular, An ap.
preparation is made In the first in
stance to take care Of the one or two
| eligibles until the proceeds of the
fund are sufficient to meet the de,
mands upon it.
+ 4. +
The text book proposition is lying
dormant ct this time, but some fire,
works are expected after recess. The
sentiment fer free books appears to
be almost unanimous, but the diner
ence between the advocates branches
three ways, the district adoption
the uniform county adoption and state
publication,
4
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