Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-03
OF DITCHEs AND PASSES.
TIE sUBJ4Czs WHICH OCCUPIED
/ THE CDNYENfI0S,s TIME.
How shall Irrigafion Companies be Taxed?
Division e. 0pinion-Ths Question of
Free Passes from Railroad Companies
Causes Much sDebate-The Other Con-

Ceeeulus6 IN ba8 8COneGlbu6lOn6i COnVenliOn
were marked BY spirited debates upon in
teresting queetions. ~
Section 10 Of article ~, which prohibits
railroads from granting passes to members
OF the Legislative assembly, state, county
and municipal officers. was stricken out,
but an amendment. Of j. K. Toole's, cover
ing the same ground, but leaving the
matter with the legislature, was passed.
A section OF proposition exempting
ditch companies from paying taxes beyond
the net proceeds. was dsisatsd. though no.
tice was given hhat u win be called up
again.
The words $50 help me God" were added
to the oath prescribed by the consti-
tuition.
Next Wednesday was set as the time to
discuss the proposition relating to public
buildings, including
THE CAPITAL REMOVAL PROPOSITION.
A good deal Of time was devoted to the
railroad pass question, and Hartman
moved to strike the section out.
Goddard offered substitute, in sub.
stance that railroads shall furnish annual
and trip passes to all members of the legis-
lature, state and county officers.
Warren moved to include newspaper
editors.
Burleigh wanted printers devils included.
Myers meved to iLsert after the word
officers ''except sheriffs, deputy sheriffs
and stock inspectors" Lost.
Clark moved that the committee arise.
Lost.
Buford moved to strike out of section 10,
members Of the legislative assembly or
any state, county or municipal officer. or
officers" and insert members Of the judi
ciary." Lost. .... ~
Mayer moved that the committee rise.
Lost.
Bickford moved to strike out section 10
ferently. Lost.
Luce offered a substitute for section 10.
Lost.
Robinson moved that the committee
rise. Lost. 1s..
Clark gained the floor. He said that the
question Of
GRANTING FREE PASSES
had been discussed in legislatures and it
was acknowledged that the system was in
iuuitous. Railroads were run at so much
a mile, and passes were taken into con-
when the expenses Of the road
were footed up. The loss from 9his source
was added to freight and the people had to
nay for it in the long rum Every member
OF the convention had been rendered o pass,
and Tt was for considerations that may
yet arise. He was in favor of throwing
around corporations, and for
that reason he was opposed to striking out
the section. '--.
Sergeant said If the legislature could not
he entrusted to make our laws, we Ger
tainly retrogated as people. The section
was legislative and should not be inserted
in the constitution. He was in favor OF
striking it out.p
Courtney was opposed to striking out the
section. Corporations should be restricted.
Call it legislation, if You please. 1t was a
wise proyia.5n and should remain.
Robinson opposed striking out the SEC
tion for the reason that it was protec.
tion to the workmsn. II railroads do not
attempt to bribe nen by issuing these
passes, then why do they do it? The
friends OF the section were friends OF the
railroads and sought to protect them
who wanted passes. He claimed
that Harper brothers prohibited their
corps OF writer's from accepting passes
from any railroad or steamboat company,
80 as to leave them free to criticise as they
see fit. He would ask the gentlemen who
were in favor of striking out section 10,
how many OF them had paid their fares to
this convention? Robinson continued for
some time speaking in this strain, and sat
down amid cries of .'go on"
Reek said he paid his fare to the conven-
ton and would vote to strike out the Sec
ton, as he considered it legislation.
Clark moved that the committee arise.
Carried. When the committee arose it re-
ported progress and asked leave to sit
again. On motion the convention took q
recess until O'Clock.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
On reassembling Galloway moved that
the convention reconsider the vote by
which section 4. proposition ~, finances OF
the state, was adopted. Carried. The sec.
tion is as follows:
q, .itches, canals and fumes heretofore or
hereafter constructed by any person, COM
pany or corporation for the sale, rental,
distribution or other beneficial use OF
water, shall be taxed upon the annual net
proceeds of such sale, rental, distribution or
use in such manner as may be provided by
law. Provided, that the use and price OF
such water shall at all times be subject to
regulations by the board OF county COM
missioners or other authorities as in the
constitution provided. And provided fur
ther, that this section shall apply only
to the bitches, canals and fumes OF such
persons, companies or corporations as
shall, within such time as may be provided
by law after they commence the sale. rental,
distribution or use Of water, make and
file in the Office Of the secretary OF the
state their duly executed written consent,
to be subject to and comply with all the
terms and conditions of this section, and
all terms and all provisions OF this consti-
tuition; and failure of any such person,
company or corporations to make and
file such consent, shall render the bitches,
canals and fumes of such person
company or corporation subject to taxa
tion in the same manner as other property,
without regard to this section, SO long as
said person, company or corporaVion laiis
to file such consent"
The whole afternoon was devoted to de.
bate on this section, and it was defeated,
though notice was given that there would
be o reconsideration of the vote by which
it was defeated.
Suffrage in North Dakota.
BIsMAksK, August LIN the convention,
to-day, on the proposed adoption Of the
report OF the committee OF the whole, Civ
ing the legislature power to extend the
right of suffrage to women, an amend
ynsnt was adonted that the action of such