The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-01-04
IMPORTANT WORK
AHEAD Of SOLONS
DAKOTA LAW MAKERS CONvEN.
ED THIS WEEK FOR GREAT
BUSINESS SESSION
SCRAP FOR OFFICES ENDED Peacefully
Prohibition and Suffrage Leading
Questions-County Commissioners
Want More Power

The state legislature convened at
Pierre Tuesday and this week is given
over to the election Of officers and OUT
lining work for the session.. 1t will,
perhaps, be the most important SEES
sion ever held in the state and ques-
tons Of moment will be up for con-
sideration.
One of the most vital issues to come
before the law makers is a proposed
law which will put into force the pro-
hibition amendment to the state con
stitution, adopted by the voters in the
November election. 1t is necessary
that the Legislature pass an act plac-
ing a penalty upon the violation of the
prohibition measure before the law be-
nm operative. Reports indicate 4
general demand throughout the state
that the law be made as stringent as
possible and that heavy penalties be
placed upon the violation Of the prohi-
bition provision. Some of the most
ardent prohibition supporters are
pressing for a clause which will pro-
hibit the importation of liquor into the
state for home consumption.
Another important measure which
probably will be considered is legisla-
ton which would curb the activities of
the so called l. W. W. bands that have
caused riots throughout the state, vir-
tually Selling trains and menacing
towns in the agricultural districts in
the harvest season.
A bill to increase the number of
judicial districts in the state will be
urged by members of the state bar as
ISOLATION. With the increasing popu-
lation in the state, it is pointed out,
litigation has become too heavy for
he existent number of courts to han
die and adoption of such a measure
would provide relief by the authorize
ton of additional judges.
County commissioners in the state
will ask the Legislature for increased
powers, it is known. The commission
ers at a recent convention adopted res
olutions favoring additional authority
for themselves, asserting that thereby
they could perform their duties to the
better interests of their constituents.
Suffrage also will come up for con
sideration, It is believed. The
OF the state, u%ndaunted by their de-
feat in the former elections, will ask
for a resubmission Of the suffrage
amendment to the voters in the next
general election, to be held in 1918. At
a recent meeting of the South Dakota
Universal Suffrage League the women
passed "A resolution calling for a new
vote and an active campaign is being
waged throughout the state for it's con-
sideration.
Roberts to be Speaker
Representative A. C. Roberts, of Day
county, will preside as speaker of the
house during the present session of the
legislature. All other candidates for
the position withdrew following his
selection by unanimous vote in open
caucus of the house members Monday
night.
Other officers chosen at the caucus
of the lower chamber r
Chief clerk, Chas. r. Gardner, re-
elected; first assistant, G.. G. st. Johns,
Clear Lake; second assistant, A. Clay
Darling, Aberdeen: bill clerk, John S.
Wooley, Highmore; sergeant at arms,
Edw. Moxsrep, Harrisburg; assistant
sergeant, Martin Monsoon, Sioux Falls;
chief Of engrossing force. S. w. Gard
ner, Huron; postmaster, Ed. Stoddard,
Pierre; messenger, Arthur Newlin,
Knoll; proof reader, G. M. Livingston,
Pierre. A contest developed over the
position of bill clerk and assistant SER
geant at arms.
For the first time in years the SEN
ate met in secret ucu to name Of
ficers and the following were chosen:
Secretary, w. N. Vancamp; first as
s~istant, Parlan Whisman, Huron; Sec
ond assistant. ]. Opsal, Sisseton; bill
clerk, Will Lockhart, Morristown; SER
geant at arms, p. Fair, Pierre; post
master. G.. e. Mackey, Clark; messen-
ger, Henry Walter. Lead.