Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-08-03
North Dakota Convention.
DISCUSSING 4 CONSTITUTION.

North Dakota Convention.
DISCUSSING 4 CONSTITUTION.
BISMARCK, y. D., July ga ~ready-made
constitution, known as the Williams consti-
tuition, is causing much discussion and many
OF those who have read II think the conven.
ton would not make a serious mistake should
they adopt 1t in full, but 1t is not In harmony
with some Of the hobbies and must therefore
undergo modification.
At this afternoons session 1t was ordered
that all the standing committees be required
to report By Thursday OF the present week.
This is done to force the convention to bust
ness. Harrison, OF Burleigh, has introduced
a legislative apportionment bill. 1t provides
that until otherwise provided the senate
shall consist Of thirty-five members and
the house OF seventy members. Laudor, OF
Richland, introduced an article dlscouraging
the holding OF large tracts OF lands by indl-
viduals or corporations as against the public
welfare: also by taxation, providing that
franchise, roadway, roadbed, and rolling
stock Of railroads shall he assessed by the
state board Of equalization at their actual
value, the same TO be apportioned TO the
counties, cities, townships and districts in
which the roads are located railroads shall
not be valued at less than $1,000 nor more
than e. 1000 per mile. 1t also provides that
income taxes may be collected from persons,
corporations or Joint stock companies.
A number OF other articles were introduced.
Bennett, Of Grand Forks, introduced q pro-
vision that al the general elections immedi.
ately preceding the expiration OF the term OF
the United States senator from this state the
electors may by ballot express their prefer
ence for the candidate for the United States
senate. The event Of the day WAS the con-
sideratiCn OF a resolution providing for a
single body legislature. The leading cham
pion OF the one house idea was Stevens, Of
Ransom, who delivered a carefully prepared
speech. Rev. Ezra Turner, OF Bottineau, and
Parsons, Of Morten, also spoke I'm favor Of
the one-house plan. The question was dis
cussed In the committee OF the whole, but the
committee rose without reaching a vote.
1t the Joint commission today more was ac-
complished than at any other session yet
held. A resolution was adopted that the
records be divided and a committee was ap-
pointed to investigate and report what
should be copied. A committee was APP
pointed to investigate the library and report
It's value; one to investigate the property of
the territorial militia; one to estimate the
value of other territorial property one to as
certain the claims against Dakota, and one to
ascertain the application OF government
money In Brookings college. Two sessions
will be held daily hereafter and It is thought
an agreement will be reached this week.
PERSISTENT PkOHlBlIlONIsIs.
BISMARCK, n. D July 23.-Prohibition pc
titions are beginning TO pour IN, and 1t is evi-
dent that they have not given up hope OF
having a prohibition clause embodied In the
constitution.
President Farcher, Of the convention, to-
day received a telegram from Elliott +.
Shepard, president OF the American Sabbath
union, urging a provision In the constitution
protecting and encouraging Sabbath observ-
ance.
The complete constitution introduced bv
Williams came up for reference today, but
was postponed until tomorrow.
The proposition to vest the legislative pow
ers In a single body was again discussed In
committee of the whole, and furnished a field
day for orators. The proposition was de
feated and the convention will now make an
apportionmcnt for the two houses.
The remainder Of the afternoon was passed
IN discussing the article on county and town
ship organization. The greatest controversy
was on the question OF coating county seats,
and after Il spirited debate the entire after
noon session relative thereto was stricken out.
Nothing was accomplished In the Joint SEES
sion To-Day.
JUDICIARY PLAN RECOMMENDED.
BISMARCK, n. D., July 24.-The judiciary
committee has at last reported to the conven-
ton. The committee that the
supreme court have three judges; Fix judicial
districts with as many judges, and that the
present system OF justices OF the peace be re-
tanned. The committee sits down on the
proposed plan for the establishmestof county
courts; favors holding all terms OF the SUI
prtme court at the capital, terms OF Judges OF
the supreme court To be six years, any vacancy
by death or otherwise tn be filed by appoint
ment OF the governor, the appointee to serve
until the next general election.
The scandinavian Temperance society of
North Dakota has petitioned the convention,
on behalf Of the Scandinavian inhabitants,
to prohibit the manufacture and sale OF in
toxlcGting liquors In the state.
Considerations OF the complete constitution
introduced by Williams has been postponed
until after the committees all report.
DOWN TO SOLID WORK NOW.
BISMARCK, n. D., July 25.-The committee
today reported in favor Of the submission OF
the prohibition question TO a vote of the PEG.
pie. Report adopted.
The committee on school lands reported its
proposed article. 1t provides that the pro.
ceeds from the sale Of school lands shall be a
trust fund, the principal of which shall for
ever remain inviolate, and may be increased
but never diminished; the state to make
good all Losses thereon. The interest and In
come will be used for the support OF the
schools. After one year from the assem-
bling Of the first legislature, the lands may
be disposed OF as follows: Not more
than one-fourth o. the lands shall be sold
within five years, no more than one half OF
the remainder In ten years; the remainder
may be sold at not less than 80 per acre.
The legislative committee provides that the
senate shall consist of not less than thirty
nor more than fifty members, and the house
not less than sixty nor more than l4O, the
senators TO be divided into two classes To be
elected for two and four years respectively.
Trading Of votes among members shall be
considered bribery; sessions shall not exceed
ninety day s, for which compensation shall be
$500 and mileage 10 cents.
The committee on education prohibits sec
tarianism In schools and leaves to the legisla-
ture the establishment of a uniform system.
The committee on executive provides that
the governor shall hold office for two years,
or until his successor is qualified; gives the
governor power to disaPprove OF any item or
part Of any bill making appropriations, ana