St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-07
Resolutions in the Legislature for an
Investigation of the Alleged
Bribery of Legislators,
High Water in Montana Flooding the
Low Lands Settlers Seeking
High Ground.
Flourishing Condition of the Fargo DEM
ocratic Club-Arthur's Appoint
ments in the Territory.
Items of News Collected From all Points by
Wide Awake Globe Correspondents
DAKOTA LEGISLATURE


van Inresti0ate the Bribery Question.
Special Telegram.
BISMARCK, Oak, Feb. 6.-The house has
appointed itself, with the speaker as chair
man, special committee to investigate the
university at Grand Forks, to report on Mon
day at p. m. The committee will leave at
$3.50 p. m. on Especial train. The council
will probably take a similar action.
HOUSE BILLS WERE PASSED.
Appropriating SO, 500 for the Springfel
Normal school; providing for the better edu-
cation of dental surgeons; establishing indie
pendent school district No. 1, Kingsbury
county; providing that proof of existence of
corporations shall not be required unless de-
MED in answer; providing for additional
legislative clerks; providing for territorial
agricultural fairs.
BRIBERY RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Pettigrew offered the following reso-
luton:
WHEREAS, It having come to the knowledge of
members of this body. that certain members of
this legislature have been approached by certain
persons with threats and promises for the pnr-
pose of Influencing the Official action of said
members in violation Of the penal code Of this
territory, therefor be it
ReSOkCed That Joint committee NJ fva rrero-
Ders, three OF the house aud two of the council,
be appointed to consider the complaints OF at
tempts at bribery, IN report what action is nee
essary TO bring this class of offenders to Justice
Mr.. PettigTew read the law in relation to
bribery of members and the penalties pre-
scribed. He said the investigation proposed
was not aimed at any particular member or
person. He should not prefer charges against
any one upon mere rumors. 1t has been
said that this member aud that member
HAS BEEN THREATENED
that if they did not vote so and so their
measures would be defeated If this resolu-
is put through; If it accomplishes no more
than to inform men, whether members or
otherwise, that these practices are dangerous,
and that there is law upon the subject and
a penalty prescribed, it will have accom-
plished much good. Men must understand
that they become liable to the penalties of
the law if they approach members by threat
or promises. 1t has been said that this reso-
luton Is Intended 10 intimidate. II 1t does
intimidate and make men afraid to commit
crime, then let Us have this class of intimi-
dation.
In the course of the discussion it de-
yeloped that
MR.. DEwooDY WAS THE PERSON
at whom the resolution was aimed and that
the threats referred to had remote relation
to the capital quarrel, but a direct relation
to Pettigrew's adverse report on the Ordway
university bill, Mr.. Dewoody having init
mated that tire South Dakota members could
not expect to have their measures rushed
while those of Central Dakota were being
antagonized, because the Central Dakota
members were not xious for capital re-
moval.
The Ordway university matter coming be-
fore this bribery matter was disposed of, the
consideration of the university location and
appropriation was postponed until one week
from Monday by vote of Is to 3.
The Dakota law in relation to bribery or
trading OF support among members is very
stringent, and the penalty may reach
TEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT
and $4,000 fine, and this penalty extends to
deceit aud reaches the lobby as well as
mem bers.
Council bills were passed. authorizing
Foster county to issue $1,000 in bonds to
build Il court house: Wells county to issue
bonds to fund $1,000 debt; repeating
chapter 81, laws Of 1881, in relation to
Stutsman county; establishing Dakota
hospital for the insane, and providing for
its government.
The council did not adjourn over u atiIMon-
day, but it is understood a number are 90
ing 10 Grand Forks, and no business will
be transacted tomorrow. Among the bills
introduced. is one making decoration day a
legal holiday, by Mr.. Pettigre.w