The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-02-03
The South Dakota
Legislature

Inc decision in favor of putting be-
tore the Legislature for action the sub
mission OF the question of a constitu-
tional convention in the state was
reached by the joint state affairs COM
mlttees Of the two houses. A sub
committee made up of Senator Ans
den, or Grant county, and Representa-
tlVes Norness, Of Day, and all, of Butte
county, was appointed to draw up a
proper resolution and submit it to the
whole committee for approval. 1t is
the hope OF the committee that IL this
passes the legislature, as they believe
1T will, no constitutional amendments
proposed shall go on the ballot at the
next election. which would mean that
the three amendments TO the constitu-
ton introduced thus far in the pres.
en session would not pass nor would
there be any others introduced.
The temperance committee dis
cussed the sacramental wine question
with Father O'Mara of WATERFOWL and
John w. Walden of Sioux Falls, rep
~resenting the Roman Catholic posi-
ton and the bill of the Minnehaha
county delegation representing that
OF the Episcopal church. The chief
difficulties as they saw them were
that wine had been of poor quality
and at an exorbitant price and that
under the present law it was neces-
sary for churches in the entire west
ern part Of the state to send repre-
sentatives to Sioux Falls after the
wine. There was general agreement
that Superintendent Hunt of the Anti
saloon league and the state sheriff,
the church representatives and the
committee, that the bill proposed by
the Anti-saloon people would solve
the problem.
Only two measures have thus far
passed both houses. They are senate
bills No. 2 and 4. Both were emergen.
cy measures and for identical purposes
in two separate departments. No. 2
authorized the state treasurer, with
the consent Of the governor to issue
warrants at the lowest interest rate
possible, instead Of at 5B per cent as
the former law provided, for the pay
ment OF necessary current expenses.
NO. 4 authorized the treasury to issue
warrants at the lowest interest rate
possible instead of at 6 per cent, as
the law formerly specified, for the pay.
ment Of hail insurance indemnity.
These measures have been signed by
the governor and have become laws.
The house fought a while on house
bill 25, authorizing countrywide action
in fighting grasshoppers, army worms
and cutworms, after an unsuccessful
attempt by Slocum to amend by in
GLIDING gophers. They also passed
house bill so, $149.S0 tuberculosis in
demnity appropriation. The name of
the committee on packing plants and
terminal elevators was by amend.
ment of the rules changed to markets
and marketing, and Perkins of Per-
kins and Wickre Of Day were added
to the judiciary committee.
A bill providing for a new drainage
system in South Dakota was intro
duced in the house by Larson, of Yank-
ton county. 1t provides that when the
state engineer, who has charge of
drainage matters now, sees that any
local drainage project planned, will in
his belief, affect or be affected by
drainage work In other counties in the
same watershed he shall put a stop
to local work. The commission Of
various counties affected will each Sc.
Iect a drainage commission working
under the supervision of the state en-
gineer. Thie body will have all the
powers Of a county commission in
drainage matters over the Whole area.
A solution of the consolidated school
problem was endorsed in a bill prOvid-
tng that where a town and country
Dom nunity are to vote on a sonsoli.
dated soncol the majority shall be re-
Quired in own and likewise in coun-
try districts. There is complaint that
where all votes were considered to-
gether the town with a controlling vote
brought in the country districts
against their VIII In many cases, Gre
ating town and country strife.
Measures are being lined up by
sportsmen of the state to make pos
sible in the future a better policing
force of game wardens with a change
in the manner Of their selection and
compensation which has the endorse
ment Of the fish and game protective
association, of hunters generally, the
game department, the administration
and a number of members Of the leg
islature. Under conditions existing
last season it was impossible in many
cases to get competent men to fill the
limited number Of places authorized
by law for the proper protection Of
game and frequent and fragrant viola
lions of the law resulted. 1t Is to
tighten up in this regard that present
bills are being prepared.