(Dave Manning tribute, continued)
It was deemed the most important was the bill consolidating the highway commission and the water conservation and state planning boards.
HB 196 recalled the saloons in the state of Montana, but gambling failed to make the day when that bill for licensing gambling failed.
The House created a retirement allowance system for public shcool teachers.
A speed limit was set at 65 mph on the highways and non-resident motorists would be required to register with the Secretary of State for acceptance of service of summons in case of damage suits arising from accidents within the state.
A quick divorce bill was quickly killed by the legislature.
The county had asked the government for a loan to build a new gymnasium for the community. The grant allocation was for $13,950 for the construction.
But governments being alike in any year, the plans had been delayed several months when Dave Manning made his first trip to Washington for the REA. And youngsters were playing ball in the streets. Dave stopped off at the PWA office in Omaha, Nebraska, and asked an aide in the office about the gymnasium loan for Hysham, Montana. The papers were searched for, re-found and work was started on them again. A telegram arrived in Hysham days after that to say the loan for the gym had gone through.
The gymnasium still is in use in Hysham, although it has been remodeled.
So many applications were being turned down by the government in Washington, and it was necessary for applications to be exact to be considered. While Dave was in Washington he was told that the applications filled out by County Attorney E. E. Fenton were so good they went directly through the red tape and on to the proper officials.
Little Treasure County was again recognized throughout Montana in 1938 when Dave Manning was appointed one of a group of 15 to serve on the all-important platform and resolutions committee. There were 500 delegates at the convention.
There was no one willing to take on increasingly well-known Dave Manning in 1938 and he ran unopposed in the election. He received 500 votes in Treasure County. The two other high vote getters were Ernest Fenton with 493 and Orville Campbell, who ran for Clerk of Court and got 467 votes.
Dave Manning had already been appointed to the important Appropriations Committee in the 1936 legislature. They were proud of him back in Treasure County and the Hysham Echo had this to say: "It is a known fact that the quiet and considerate manner with which Dave Manning handled the all-important task of appropriating state moneys during the session merited his state-wide recognition for Speaker of the House post. When appointed head of the Appropriations Committee they were thinking of fine work accomplished while he was chairman of the Water Conservation Committee.
1943
Dave Manning had been elected to the Senate in 1938. He was then elected to serve as President Pro-Tem of the Senate and was acting Governor on occasions in 1940.
In 1943 the country was again at war and the Mannings were at work in Hysham and the state legislature.
Both involved in the war work, they made a place in the lobby of the Yucca Theatre for all pictures of men and women in the service to be hung. Families were asked to bring the pictures of their loved ones to be put on display.
Ruth Manning served as chairman for the WAC (Women's Army Corps) recruiting campaign in Treasure County.
It was in 1944 that the Mannings received word their son, David Manning, had been killed in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany.
Dave Manning's leadership in the Montana legislature was known throughout the state.
In 1951 he served as Minority Floor Leader and was again President Pro Tem, and acting Governor in 1954.
In 1963 this honor was afforded him again and the Hysham Echo said, "In the button buster department this week was the announcement of State Senator Dave Manning, veteran of 30 years in Montana legislative sessions, being elected as Senate President protem for the interim between the 1963 and 1965 lawmaking sessions.
According to the announcment the 33-20 party line vote places Senator Manning next in line to the Montana governor's office. He will be next in succession to Rep. Tim Babcock during the next two years.
The office of Senate President pro tem carries added stature now because Montana is without a Lt. Governor.
CONTINUED