The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1922-10-19
THE WOMAN, THE CHILD
AND THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Dakota submits its record of con-
structive, humanitarian achieve
ments in behalf of things in which
the women voters of the state are
especially interested and awaits
with confidence their verdict That
+ record, embracing as it does pro-
gressive legislation which places
South Dakota in the very front
rank among the states, is a matter
in which the party takes especial
pride
Republican legislatures submit
ted to the people again and again
/ amendments to the state constitu-
tion granting the right of suffrage
regardless of sex; and South Dakota
was one of the early states to en-
franchise her women That seems
like ancient history now. But it
was no longer ago than June, 1920
that a special session of the state
| legislature, convened upon the
call of a Republican governor, rati-
fed the amendment to the federal
constitution giving the vote to wo-
men throughout the nation. And
let it be remembered that while
Republican governor and a Repub-
lican legislature were doing this
in South Dakota. Democratic gov
ernors and Democratic states were
declining to call their legislatures
together, and Democratic legisla-
lures in other Democratic states
were refusing to ratify the amend
ment when called together
The Republicans of South Dako-
ia have always stood for progress
sive humane measures advanced
by the women of the state. And
the last legislature, under the
guidance of Governor w. H. Nc
Master, lived up to the accom-
plishment Of the past. Mere enum-
Grafton of some Of the laws en-
acted is proof of this.
Child Welfare Comm ssi n.-The
legislature Of 1919 created the
Child Welfare Commission, but did
little more. The last legislature.
therefore, made a modest appro-
praition for carrying on the work
of the Commission, and recognized
and established its important tasks.
II provided for the creation of
Child Welfare Boards in each
county. consisting of two members
at least one of whom must be
woman. The Child Welfare Com
mission, with the cooperation of
the county Child Welfare Boards,
investigates the employment of
children in industry, dependency
and delinquency of children, at
tends to the enforcement Of laws
passed for the protection of child
rem, and investigates the social
conditions surrounding children
generally. A great and important
work has thus been undertaken.
Compulsory Educat:on.-The leg
islature of 1921 passed our present
compulsory education law. School
authorities will tell you that it is
real law Education through the
eight grades for every child in the
state under seventeen years of age
is practically insured. Every teach
.er each two weeks reports the at
tendance record Of every pupil
under her charge to the county
superintendent of schools, and is
required to report the non-attend-
ance of children, of school age re-
siding within her district. Approp-
riate penaltie, are provided for
parents or guardians who violate
the law. In word,. every school
child in South Dakota, will here
after have the opportunity to get
the education which is its lawful
social right.
Segregation Of The Feeble Mind
ed The legislature of 1921 took
advanced ground in providing for
the segregation and care of the
feeble minded. 1t declared it's pur-
pose ito provide that all feeble
minded persons resident within
this state shall become the wards
of the state and shall be kept Sc
gregated to the end that they shall
not reproduce their kind" County
commissioners and other Officials
were given authority to commit
feeble minded likely to become re-
productive Of their kind to the
State School and Home for Feeble
Minded. Heretofore there has re-
sided no authority in anyone to
remove from among us the feeble
minded for humane care at state
institution. A bad situation was
simply left to runs its own hap
hazard course. The new law was
demanded by the women of the
state. and a republican LEGISLATURE