The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1921-01-15
SOUTH DAKOTA
LEGISLATURE
ATTORNEY GENERALS DECISION
TO REFER POWER PLANT
QUESTION TO ELECTION.

Pierre. S. D., Jan. 15.-Practical
certainty that any action on a hydro
tlectric plant in the state by the
present legislature would be referred
TO a vote of the people was felt to-
day with the issuance of an opinion
by the attorney general upon re-
quest of members of the hydro-elec-
trio commission as 10 whether any
such action could be referred or
would stand without possibility of
reference because of its constitution
al nature. Attorney General Payne
held that inasmuch as any such bill
would not be emergency legislation
and necessary for the immediate pre-
servation Of the public peace, health
Of safety, or for the support of any
existing institutions, il would be sub
iect to referendum at any time.
A bill TO bring the constitutionally
fixed pay of Legislators up 10 where
it will meet the cost of living, was
introduced in the senate today by
the committee on legislative expense.
II would allow each member 800 a
month expense money 10 pay board
and room bills.
Chaplain Guy p Squires is here
10 appear before the legislature in
furtherance or the plans for rehab-
.liration and school work for wound
ed service men AT Brookings and the
necessary appropriations therefor
Commander Fred B. Ray. of The
American Legion, has arrived from
Yankton. and is going over the legis-
Iative situation with various MEM
bers and committees as viewed from
the service mans standpoint.
When the senate takes up the bill
providing for the restoration of cap
ital punishment. Senator ]. D. Nor
rison, of Haakon county, viii offer
an amendment providing that no
person convicted on circumstantlal
evidence shall be sentenced 10 die.
Opposing factions are marshailng
their forces for the expected fight on
the bill when il comes up for its
third reading and vote.
The people of the state may not
have an opportunity, preceding the
next election 20 hear presidential
candidates and candidates for gov
ernor. debate their paramount is
sues. Representative Swanson, OF
Brown, has introduced a bill IN the
house repeating that provision OF the
Richards primary law on the ground
NJ avpense The debates last year
cost the taxpayers $1,000, and ne
doubts if the received the worth OF
their money. He also promises TO
put in bills doing away with the post
master primaries. which have not
been observed, and the expensive
proposal master primaries which
have not been observed, and the ex-
pensive proposal meetings.
The mortgage registry tax was at
tackled in both bodies with repeating
hills. The senate bill. by Meyers.
of McCook. also provides that mort
cages already registered, shall be ex-
empte ed from further taxation.
Al the suggestion of the state
health department. the senate health
COMMITTEES has introduced Dill re-
auiring all persons hereafter desir-
ing 10 practice medicine. surgery, os-
teopathy "or any other form OF the
art" must pass preliminary state
examination.
Answering suggestions that the
bill might affect Christian science
the state department declared TINS
was not intended and that one prom
inent Christian Scientist read and
approved the measure.
Plans to hold joint session ol
committees on state affairs have beer
proposed, but il is expected within
4 few days the committees viii NEE
to discuss the proposal for bill re
ferring TO the voters in l92, cal
for a constitutional convention
Indications now are that no defin
ite action on the hydro-electr1c pro
iect will be taken until well afte
recess, which starts January 20. ant
ends January 81. II is expected ina
after recess the legislative work vii
get under way in earnest, as the ses
sion terminates March 4. under tn
law.
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