The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-01-18
THE SOAK LEGISLATURE
DoINGS OF THE LAWMAKERS
AND GOSSIP AROUND THE
CAPITOL AT PIERRE.

submitted to the South Dakota legis-
lature at its opening session. The re-
port makes specific recommendations
concerning each existing department
of the government and recommends
the addition of a purchasing agency
II groups changes in those which can
be accomplished without constitution
al amendment and those which will
need constitutional changes.
The report recommends amend,
ments of the constitution to provide
for popular election of the governor
for a four-year term, election of the
auditor for a similar term, and ap-
pointment OF all other department
heads by the governor. 1t would
abolish the boards of regents and
charities and corrections, and put
their work, under the educational de-
partment and a commissioner of pub
lie welfare. 1t would substitute the
public welfare commissioners for the
board Of pardons. 1t would abolish
the office of lieutenant governor and
make the president of the senate
elective from its membership.
With these constitutional changes
opening the way, four administrative
departments would be created, the
departments of law, state, public well
fare and education, to take the place
Of the present elective state admins.
trative offices.
The report recommends legislation
grouping present state offices and
boards not requiring constitutional
changes into seven departments. The
department of finance would include
the tax commission, motor vehicle de.
partment, purchasing agent and 10
other units in the present government.
The rural credits department would
include its present organization and
the land settlement board. The agri-
culture department would include the
live stock department, immigration
commissioner, commissioner of agri-
culture, game warden, food and drug
commissioner and 10 other present
units.
The department OF highways would
replace the highway commission. The
department of public works and
property would include the state
engineer, drainage commission, &C.
ment commission and seven other
units. The department OF industry
and labor would include the banking
department, insurance commissioner,
industrial commissioner, railroad
commission and six other units. The
department of public health would In
clude the board of health, vital
statistics department and child well
fare committee.
The report estimates that the
changes recommended would effect an
annual saving of $500, 600 in increased
revenues, reduction of pay roll and
economies in purchasing.
First committee appointments of
the Legislature We're announced by
President Gunderson of the senate. He
named the senate elections committee,
which will Immediately take up the
Nesbit- Ellenson contest for a seat
from Minnehaha county. The COM
mittee consists Of Alseth, of Kings
bury, chairman: Bogue, Of Turner;
Sletter, of Harding; Amsden, of
Grant; Maytum, of Hanson; Larson,
of Aurora; Woods, OF Custer: Hen
derson, of Roberts, and Campbell, Of
Brown. Chairmen Of leading COM
mittees made public by President
npndar0nn at tho a >, tsn,o go
Agriculture, Anderson, of Clark; ap-
preparations, Convey, of Trip; judic-
larry, Miller, of Dawson; state affairs,
Brownell, of Minpehaha: charitable
and penal institutions, Green, of Han
son.; municipal corporations, Camp
bell, of Brown, and highways, Cook,
Of Butte.
The democrats in the legislature
have formed a permanent organization
including party members Of both
houses. Senator l.. j. Larson, of Auro-
IA county, is chairman, and R~epresen-
tative Roy Miiliken, of Yankton, Sec
ietarys There are nine democratic
senator's and 12 democratic house
members. Their first official act was
the presentation of Senator Larson as
the minority candidate for president
pro tempore in the senate, and Jorgen
Boo. OF Lyman, for speaker. The min.
ority people plan to continue as an
active party unA through the session
Non-partisan leaguers voted with
the republicans in the legislative or
ganization.
II develops that one Of the strong
est fights in the session will be over
the location OF the first of three
bridges over the Missouri, authorized
nv the Legislature. Pierre, Mobridge.
Chamberlain and the Rosebud already
have started campaigns for this pro
ject.
A sheaf Of roses presented by
women Of the state to Miss Gladys
Pyle. of Beadle county. the first
woman legislator. after members
were sworn in. brought the first DEM
o~nstration Of the eighteenth session
when male members OF the house ap-
pIauded enthusiastically. Supreme
Court Judge Policy administered the
oath to senate members. Judge Gates
to house members. and Judge Sher-
wood to new state officers. Organiza-
inn NJ fha Two hou1aa woo rcur1.tad