The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-07-23
Irving to Hurry business

Trying to Hurry Business
BISMARCK, July "a number of pro
posed articles were introduced in the con
ventlon To- day, and it was ordered that al
standing committees be required to report
by Thursday of the present week. This is
| done to force the convention to business.
/ The event of the day was the consideration
of a resolution providing for q single body
of the legislature. The leading champion
| of the one-house idea was Stevens, of Ran
som. who delivered carefully prepared
| speech. Rev. Ezra Turner, of Baltimore,
and Parsons, of Morton, also spoke in favor
OF the one-house plan. The question was
the committee arose without reaching a
vote.
COMPLETE CONSTITUTION.
The constitutional convention has been
given a surprise by the presentation of q
complete constitution which will be con-
sidered during the present week This
constitution has been prepared with great
care and after a consultation with some OF
the best constitutional lawyers. In many
respects il is identical with the articles al
ready introduced. 1t is a compilation of
the best provisions of the constitutions of
several different states and that of the
United States fitted to North Dakota
With regard TO taxation IL has specific pro-
visions embodying the Wisconsin constitu-
tionsl provision, on this subject, which
provides that the rate of taxation shall be
uniform upon property made subject to
taxation by the legislature, and leaving
the power of regulation Of the method of
taxation with the legislature Ii also pro-
vides that the property of non-residents
shall be taxed at no higher rate than that of
residents. IL also gives the legislature the
power to fix the passenger and freight
rates of the railroads, and transportation
companies rates are to be reasonable and
the courts are TO decide what are reason
able rates. II prohibits the loaning of the
credit of the state to any association or any
corporation. Ii vests judicial power In a
court of impeachment, consisting of the
senate, supreme court, district coUrt,county
courts and justices of the peace, thus pro-
viding for the establishment of county
courts; limits the number of judges of the
supreme court 70 three, and which number
may be increased after five years. Ii also
provides against female suffrage.
The house OF representatives shall con-
sist Of not less than rs nor more than l20
members, and the senate not less than one
third nor more than one-half the size OF
the house. Each organ zed county shall
be entitled to at least one member of the
house. The senators are divided into two
classes, one TO be elected for two years and
the other for four. 1t provides for biennial
sessions of the legislature not to exceed 90
days Twoth of the members elected
may override the veto power. IL is against
minority representation 1t gives the
legislature full power to regulate liquor
may acquire in congressional grant shall
never be sold, but may be leased. School
funds shall be invested In United States
bonds, the bonds of the state or first mort
gage securities of the state at not more
than half the value of the lands. School
funds shall be considered q trust fund, the
interest TO be used for schools, and in case
of loss of any part of the principal the state
must make Il good.
Ii prohibits the passage of special laws,
as to the property of the wife before mar
riage and what shall be exempt from the
execution of claims against her husband.
Ii directs the legislature to pass liberal
homestead laws; prohibits foreign corpora
uons from transacting business In the state
until they appoint an agent in the state,
who shall be subject 70 process by law.
Ii provides that no foreigner shall vote
until two years after he has decided his
intention 10 become a citizen. and that the
reading of the declaration of Independence
with facility will be considered test of the
qualification 70 vote.
No act of the legislature shall take effect
within sixty days after adjournment unless
specially provided in the preamble or body
OF the act.
The above constitution is the subject of
much discussion. All who read it admit
the convention would not make any ser Gus
mistake IN adopting il; but il is not in har-
mony with some OF the hobbies and must
therefore undergo amendment and demor-
Alizstion, II not be entirely laid aside for Q
new-made document