Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-07-12

versifiied; but agriculture will always re.
main the predominant factor in its econ
Omic life. Under such conditions an upper
house is, logically, a superfluity and an
anachrOnism. In commonwealth 80 es-
sentially democratic and uniform in all
its elements and constituent parts, q single
chamber, or house of commons is the
suffrage.
Let alone the great number of the dimil,-
utive principalities, grand duchies and
duchies which form an integral part of the
German Empire. there are eleven indie.
pendent countries in which the single
chamber system obtains. In most of these
less analogous to those prevailing in North
Dakota, and with three exceptions the leg
islatures built on this plan are the fruits Of
recent wears. In Norway the single cham
Der system has been in vogue ever since
1914, and has given eminent satisfaction.
Greece has had twenty-six years of less
satisfactory experience; but it is doubtful
whether the bi-cameral system would have
given greater satisfaction in that unruly
country. The plucky South African re-
public has made rapid progress with leg
islature consisting of only one house. The
same system obtains in the orange tree
state, SantO Domingo, Salvador, Honduras,
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Servia and Bull
garia. The constitution of the latter coun-
try is 10 years old, while the present or
ganic law was adopted on January 2 of
the present year.
1t may also be added that the advanced
wing of the French republicans consider
the senate useless ornament and incun.
brance upon the constitution, and it is
pretty we'll known that the house of lords
in England is not looked upon with favor
by the great body of liberals.
AS will be seen. the historical evidence
be drawn is that while the bi-cameral sys-
tenn has been proved to be a success, the
single chamber system has not been DEM
Onstrated failure.
And the st. Paul Globe endorses the
in the following leading edi-
torial:
1t is said that majority of the members
of the North Dakota constitutional con-
vention are favorable to the idea OF aban-
dOning the upper house in the construction
OF the state legislature, and providing for
a legislature composed Of single body of
chosen directly from the
people at each state election. We express
effect, for while it will be an unique feat
ure in the North Dakota constitution, it
will be an experiment worth trying. In
every instance our state governments have
been modelled after the federal constitu-
ton in the construction of legislative
bodies, and for no substantial reason. The
two-hOuse idea incorporated into the fed
eral constitution was borrowed from the
example would not have prevailed in that
case but for the persistence OF those mem
bers of the federal convention who were
sticklers for the states rights. They in
sisted that the state must be represented
in the national legislature, and thus the
upper house was created. Still that
excuse was not furnished to the
house idea with their local governments,
but they have continued to do it simply
from desire to initiate. 1t will be
feather in North Dakota's cap if she will
break loose from this ancient and useless
tradition, and create legislator that will
be, what every local legislature should be,
a popular body. The senate attachment to
our legislature is an. expensive luxury,
and as useless as fifth wheel to wagon.
In fact, we have reached that progressive
stage in our national life when congress
would be more useful body if the senate
could be Topped off. This opinion is grow
ing every day, and we venture the predic-
tiOD that, if North Dakota makes the break
in this direction, within ten years from
now every state constitution will be
amended so as to incorporate the North
and that within the next quarter of a
century congress will be reconstructed on
the same basis. The opportunity for
North Dakota to pioneer needed reform
is too great to let it slip. We urge upon
the members of the constitutional conven-
ton now in session al Bismarck to give
this matter their serious consideration. 1t
is their chance for fame, as we'll as to ac-
complish great good.