The Dickinson press., 1889-11-09
Retrcncll.

Statehood is II luxury that will add
to the burdens Of the taxpayers. The
people will. however, he willing to
pay IL little extra for the boon of self
government. but they will not tolcr-
ate extravaganza. The burden of
taxation is already oppressive. and
the demand for the minimum of ex-
pense in II first year of statehood is
emphatic. With the multiplicity of
officers whose salaries must hence
forth be paid by the state comes an
increased demand upon the eNchcq-
uer of the commonwealth. and under
the tax levy allowed by the constitu-
ton it is very evident that with the
most rigid economy in all depart
ments there must needs be Il deticicn-
cy at the end of the first fiscal year of
something over S50,0OO. In many Of
the cities and counties the maximum
of Indebtedness has been reached and
the oppression of taxation is sorely
felt. To this must be added the loss
of revenue from the sale of liquors
henceforth prohibited, and we have Il
picture not pleasing to look upon.
Some may ask seriously if statehood
is really worth the price. 1t is if the
affairs are properly administered.
Spite of all that can he done there
will be IL deficiency the first year, but
if the expenses of the state are kept
down to the minimum. the second
and third years will redeem the
state.
The constitution provides that the
first session of the legislature may
continue 100 days-aftcr that the
terms are limited to sixty days. The
membership of the legislature is
ninety-thrce. With the usual %rctinue
of clerks and attaches the whole
number of salary. drawing people dur
a legislative session will not fall far
short of $50. The salaries of the
members of this body of lawmakers,
together with other necessary eX-
pcnses of the legislative session, will
amount to something like $3.50 to
$1,000 per day. Proper consideration
of the benefits of economy would sug.
gest that the Legislative sessions he
as brief as possible. Sellshly speak
ing-for the interest of Bismarck
the longer the term the better, but
the Tribune believes in the economic
side of this question. The neccssi-
ties'of the people and the require
ments of the constitution, so far as
this body is concerned, can be com.
piled with in Il very few weeks.
There are two United States senators
to elect. This ought not to consume
more than two weeks time. After
that the regular routine of Legislative
work begins. What is there to do!
If an entire new code of laws be ell
acted then four months will easily be
consumed in dreary debates and Graf
ty fllibustcring. But do we need q
new code! We have had an excellent
code under u territorial form of gov
eminent and with Il few slight chang
es made necessary Ivy the changed
condition of affairs, it cannot he i'm
proved upon. OF course Il few new
laws will be nccessary-for instance
for the enforcement of the prohibit
ton article and others affecting tho
revenue and taxation and the elective
franchise. All the requirements o
:. the constitution in this respect, how
ever, can be compiled with in
, months time. Where, then, is th'
necessity of a long session! Ii ccono
my is the watchword the Legislature
will do one Of two things. 1t vii
: meet, elect a couple Of U. S senators
!, adopt the present code, with a few
necessary changes, and adjourn; OF j
:, will pass a few needful laws in addi
tion to what are already made appli
cable by the enabling act and appoin
a commission of three OF five o
North Dakota's ablest lawyers to pre-
pare a complete code to be enacte'
. by the Legislature which is to Assem-
y Die a year hence. The revised cod
: of - was prepared by such a con
mission, and it is acknowledged to b
one of the best codes ever prepare
l for any state. The latter cours
! would seem to be the wiscst for til
forthcoming legislature to pursue.
s. There may be some reasons adyan'
$ ed for Il long term and the revision {
all the laws by the legislature clecte
" this year but we can think of nor
~ just now.
a" One thing is certain, the people al
~ in favor of retrcnchment with a bi
r and the eye Of the hawk is dim al
IF uncertain compared with that whic
re the people of the commonwealth
N North Dakota now turn towar
10 their servants at Bismarck.-Ei
I'd marck Tribune.
u. Jubilant Jopp.
III Friend Jopp, the newly elect
H. commissioner, evidently appreciat
Ut the compliment paid him by t
voters of the second district. He
." formed his Dickinson friends Of t
VI. -. A.. e.u...:..