The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-03-13
LEGISLATURE HAD
A BUSY SESSION
South Dakota Lawmakers
Passed Many Important Meas
ures and Completes Work
In Record Time.

Pierre, s. d, March 9.-The 10th
session of the South Dakota legislature
closed it's work and adjourned last
night after a business session in which
the chief matters of Importance were
brought UP through the constitutional
amendments adopted last fall, in pro-
vlding means for the newly permitted
state development Of internal improve
ments, and in revising the election laws
and acts regulated on a basis of regis
tered population. to meet conditions
presented by the double lumber Of
voters now in this state.
Commissions were created to in
vestigate or start work on cement lie
Yelopment Ignite coal production, and
power development along the Missouri
river. h highway program was talk
en- up the whole state and local sys-
tenn of highway supervision revised,
and authority was given for bonding
the state to the amoun of SIS, 600, 600
to meet a like amount from the federal
government, to carry the road pro-
gram into effect. School problems
We're taken up and while no particu-
lar attention was paid to the educa-
tional survey made during the last two
years material appropriations were
NNS NoWhAN ~ luI rural una
consolidated schools, the development
of teacher training courses In four
year high schools, OF vocational and
agricultural training; authority was
given to erect teachers cottages at
country schools. and requirements for
~teachers' certificates were raised in
an effort to elevate The standard Of
the instructors in schools. The matter
OF foreign language was taken up, and
while there were several radical pro-
hlo1tory bills introduced, action taken
was largely incorporated in one bill
which raises the compulsory education
age from 16 to 81 where persons can
not come up to a fifth grade standard
at 16, with night schools for those
over 81.
Tax reform was taken up, with bills
to exempt homes and buildings from
taxation to a limited extent as an
opening wedge; much agitation for an
income tax brought promise Of some
such measure at the next session. A
mortgage registration tax in lieu of all
others on such paper, a straight 3-mill
levy on moneys and credits, and re-
vision Of other Avs to catch tax-dodg-
ers were passed. State hail insurance,
compulsory unless exemption Is APP
tVANo was lilaSe law anu authority
or the insurance commissioner was
increased in several bills for the pro-
lection Of the insurers of the state.
Returning soldiers were considered
with various memorial bills, and more
easy terms n state aid in settling
them on lands in the state were passed.
The prohibition law was materially
strengthened. Game laws were changed
to start the open season on all birds to
september 16, while the game depart
ment was given authority to secure in
the name of the state and for all hunt
ers alike, the duck passes and flyways
OF the state. Salaries generally were
raised. The red flag was prohibited
in the state, and the Home guards con-
tinued. The influenza epidemic brought
forth and PASSED a county nurse bill
and a county hospital bill to enable
communities to better meet future
emergencies. The complete appropria-
ton list was generally enlarged, and
the general appropriation bill carries
SIS, 100, 776.
LAST HOURS OF SESSION.
Pierre, S. D., March Sat 9 O'Clock
last night the last bill was signed for
the 10th legislature session for South
IN AN lG 4SSSSiOnG was Ut Al enu.
The work of the day was largely put
IN at attempting to clean up the capitol
building bill and the free text books
bill which were wrangled over for the
both measures were IN the edge of de-
feat several times they were finally
pulled clear n both were enacted as
law, but the state wide adoption was
cut out of the free text book act be.
fore 1t was finally disposed of at the
afternoon session.
One of the important bills Of the close
was the soldiers land aid act, which
gives the returning soldiers or sailors
VINO desire to take up farming, the op.
to get assistance from the
state from the bare ground UP If he is
wiling to meet the requirement and
VIII not require any cash to get this
start.
Besides this, he with all other resi-.
dents Of the state will be EXEMPTED
from taxes on homes and personal,
property to the amount OF $1,000. The
big work Of the Session was along lines
laid down in the constitutional amend
ments voted by the people at the late
election covering state DEVELOPMENT OF
the power cement and coal possibilities
OF the state for the benefit Of the peo-
pie and at public expense instead Of
development by private capital.
----
The Buenos Aires correspondent OF the
London Times writes to his paper: The
other afternoon in Buenos Aires / saw
the private view OF q new series OF Off
cial war films. Americas Answer" The
armistice is more than two months old,
hostHties are never likely to be renewed.
and AOlericatS answer IL ALREADY byc+or,,