Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-02-01


pose was to ask the government to reim-
burse the territory for the amount fO ex-
pended.
Mr.. JONES said in view of the executive
veto it was also important to show what
the practice of the territory has been in the
past.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Mr.. PATTON, authorizing the auditor to
audit claim of Sundback, sheriff of Min
nehaha county for going to WASH
ing Territory for a prisoner.
Mr.. LOGAN, defining county and town
Mr.. POTTER, providing for notice of
chattes mortgages on crops.
Mr.. PALMER, appropriating S29,5OO in
bonds for repairs, chemical Laboratory, etc.,
for the agricultural college at BrOokings.
Also appropriating $47,500 for the ex-
penses Of said college for two years.
Mr.. FLETCHER. providing for procuring
title to land @ tor cemetery purposes.
law for the division Of counties so that the
number of towns may be reduced from %
to Is townships upon three-fifths vote.
MIR. WHITE, apprODriating for a science
hall for the university Of Dakota at Yer
million; bonds, $55,O0O.
Also for maintenance, $4,000.
Mr.. MORRIS, requiring justices to trans.
NIT records of his office to his successor.
FIRE BY RAILROADS.
Mr.. Alken's bill fixing liability Of rail
road companies for loss by fire originating
on the railroad right Of way, and for dam
ages to persons or stock, came up on its
final passage.
Mr.: VAN ETTEN, opposed the bill, and
said it he were running a railroad and this
bill became law, he would stop at the Da-
kota line. We talk about pro-
fl0f1nD Mt lint
circumstances arise under which it may
become our duty to protect railroads, and
this was one of those circumstances. Ii
provision was made for fire breaks there
would be no objection to the bill. The rail-
roads have established fire breaks and have
taken every precautiOn they can take to
guard against fire.
Mr.. WELCOME called attention to the
fact that under this bill one living miles
from the railroad could cause fire to
originate on the right OF way, and destroy
property in the hope of getting double
damages from property he wished to dis
pose OF. 1t makes the fact of the fire orig.
mating on the railroad right OF way, con
| elusive evidence that it originated by the
carelesSness of the railroad company. 1t
requires no proof and without amendment
the bill is unjust.
Mr.. AlKENS stated the purposes of the
bill and urged its Importance to the people
dents. He said along the line of the North
ern Pacific and the Manitoba there seemed
to be little need OF bill of this character
but in the southern part of the territory the
| rolling stock used is of All entirely different
character. The people demand protection
They have urged legislation of this char
acter and he pledged his constituents that he
would aid in correcting the evils of which
they complain: He scored severely those
who were ready to cOncede the earth to the
farmer before election but who now talk
about demagOgues and about radical leg
islatlOn, etc.
Mr.. NEWMAN asked what states have
similar legislation.
MIR. AIKENS: We do not need to follow
other states. The bill is q good one, the
measure is just and its provisions are de-
manded to protect the interests of the peo-
pie of Dakota.
Mr.. NEWMAN said the railroad com.
panies in his locality paid all damages
promptly and there was no complaint on
that score. The bill had some good features
but it required amendment
Mr.. VAN ETTEN again urged that the
bill was unjust. He was elected without
pledges and could afford to do justice to the
railroads as well as to other people. He
was the only member in the house who
did not even use the railroad to come here.
He came with his own conveyance.
MI. SHEETS owned a steam thresher. He
made it a point to pay at once a all dam
ages from fire set by his thresher. The
railroads were no better than he.
Mr.. GIsONNA favored the bill.
MIR. BURNHAM also supported
M. ELLIOTT thought tile bill didn't 90
far enough, and held in his hand a bill
which he intended to Introduce, covering
the same ground and more, but he voted
aye on this lest his own should fail, as it
did two years ago.
Mr.. ALLEN moved to amend by striking
out thirty days and inserting sixty, for the
reason that claims of this character could
not be settled often within thirty days.
MI. WELLCOME said this was bad
law. 1t is only necessary to prove that the
party is damaged by fire originating on the
railroad right Of way, and that is con-
elusive proof against the roads. It is spec
ial legislation against railroads requiring
them to pay whether they are at fault OF
not.
The bill passed, Messrs. Patton, Trude,
Turnbull, Van Etten and Welcome voting
Turnbull, Tan Etten and Welcome voting
nay, Mr. Parkln not voting, all others vOt-
ing aye.
MHUGHs BOND BILL PASSED.
This bill authorizes the organized coun-
ties Of Dakota to erect county buildings for
court house and Jail purposes and to issue
bonds therefor.
COURT FOR LA INQUIRE COUNTY.
Mr.. Elliott's bill, establishing term of
court in La MOure county was passed
under suspension of the rules.
THE CLERKS VETO.
Tn cnmmItton nf tho xvhnlo