St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-16
Trainers Of North DakOta'S
Constitution Are Stalled on
the Legislature.
They Cannot Decide Whether
to Make 1t a Double End
er or Not.
Woman's Suffrage Pobs Up
Serenely at the Conven-
tion at Helena.
Sell the Tide Lands Say the
Brawny Statesmen at
Olympia,
Special to the Globe.


Special to the Globe.
BISMARCK. N. D., July 15.-The dis
cussion in the various COMMITTEES of the
reports of subcommittee occupied the
earlier part of the day, and few consti-
tn utional convention delegates had much
of any leisure, even for talking politics.
In the meeting of the committee on
judiciary the court system, as blocked
out by Judge Garland, come up for dis
cuSSion, but no decision was reached.
AS constituted in the present territorial
system. there are no county courts, aud
the scheme proposed simply looked to
the perpetuation of the system hereto
fore established. The friends of the
county court, however, are not idle, and
are pushing that idea vigorously. They
have the support of eight out of the tif-
teen committeeman, but their strength
in the convention is uncertain. The
only proposition in the convention
for their consideration was by Mr.. Wal
lace, and it defines the circuit court
duties, and limits appeals to that court.
A new suggestion was made by some
of the delegates this morning in speak
ing of the movement in furtherance of
the one legislative body idea, calling at
tention to the fact that many of the
closely identified with the big corpora
tions. The remark was made that it
seems to be scheme to help the rail-
road and other corporations to log-roll
their pet measures through the
more easily. On the other hand it is
asserted that one body will be less eX-
pensive, and closer to and more easily
Influenced by the people. A carefully
managed fight is being waged in favor
of one house, the outcome of which can
not now be predicted definitely. At to-
days session Mr., Stevens introduced,
by request, the following:
Resolved, That the constitution provide
that the legislative authority of this state
shall rest in a single body. to be called legis-
latiVe assembly, which shall consist of not
less than 100 members, to be elected by the
people, provided the legislative assembly
may from time increase the number of mem
bers as necessity may require.
While the introduction of this pro-
posed article is further evidence that
the friends of one legislative body are
at work, the advocates of the older and
more generally known scheme of two
houses are not idle. Last week two
articles we're proposed, one which pro-
vided for two bodies, while the other
took that for granted. To-day two more
similar resolutions were introduced. G.
P. Parsons, of Roulette county, in an
article submitted, wished to provide for
independent senatorial and representa-
tive districts, while MIR. Fay wished a
census to be taken in 1895, and every
ten years thereafter, upon which basis
the legislature must work in making an
apportionment of the senate and house
tot hi rprh% no
sidered part of the fight against cor
porations, but for the fact that such
fight scarcely deserves the name. Some
delegates are pronounced in favor of
measures regulating railroad and
other corporations, but many more
take the more sensible view,
that much good has resulted from the
presence Of these very corporations, and
that no injustice should be done them.
This idea of adherence to strict justice
IN all particulars is having great weight
with the members. 1t has caused the
introduction of number of very
similar measures to cover the question
of double taxation. This point was not
considered by the committee on revenue
and taxation at their meeting to-day,
but several measures have been intro
duced to cover the point, and they will
sired to avoid taxing a man for
more than his net worth and
the article proposed by Mr.. Rolfe
on Saturday was the pioneer in this
line. Besides providing that taxes shall
be uniform on real and personal prop
erty it requires that the Legislature
shall, in its laws pertaining to the as
sessment of real and personal property,
provide for any deduction to any per-
son or corporation by reason of any
bona fide Indebtedness of such person
or corporation existing at the time of
such assessment; such deduction shall
be made from the total assessment to
such individual or corporation" To-day
Mr.. Wallace presented measure look
ing to the taxation of mortgages, and
making such taxation a lien on the
property and security. If paid by the
security, 1t is added to the debt, but if
paid by the owner of the property
it shall constitute payment on the
debt. Mr.. Wallace's proposition is the
same that has been submitted as an
amendment to the constitution of llli-
nois. Mr.. Haughen varies the wording
of the article proposed by providing
that all taxes shall be equal, based on
cash values and the liens and incum-
branceS shall be deducted. Mr.. Rich
ardson also wishes to make notes and
mortgages taxable. Prohibition of the
liquor traffic came up again, Mr.. Wal
lace desiring it incorporated in the new
have it submitted to vote of the peo-
pie, which last provision was also
contained in resolution submitted
by Mr.. Miller. These additional
articles on this subject have been
brought in by instruction of the men,
bers' constituencies, and the result will
be submission as an amendment as
heretofore stated. Looking to the pre-
servation of the credit of counties and
cities Mr.. Pennington introduced the
following:
No county, city, or other municipal cor
poration shall hereafter become subscriber
to the capital stock Of any private corpora
ton or ASSOCIATION. or make any appropria-
ton or donation to the same, or in any way
loan its credit.
Non-sectarian schools are provided
for in an article introduced by MIR.
Richardson, who also presented pre-
amble, recognizing God the Father, and
declaring in favor of the civil Sabbath.
Suffrage was the subject of several pro-
posed articles, but none of them made
any departures from established laws
of the older states. The Australian sys-
tenn OF DallOGlng CAME up ana was Or
dered printed in order to give members
an opportunity for studying it. The
customary exemptions from taxation
were contained in articles introduced
by Messrs. Harris and Best, while Eli
oft offered proposed article to punish
the improper use Of public money. Mr..
Harris also desired that legislators be
made not eligible to appointment to
any Office by the governor when such
appointment is subject to the approval