Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-01-31
House.
Convened at 9 D. M,

A>N Nv - t' ~
Prayer by the chaplain.
MIR. STEVENS moved that the house re-
solve itself into committee of the whole,
for the consideration OF bills. Carried.
The house resolved itself into a COM
mittee of the whole. Mr.. Selby in the chair.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO l BONDS.
House bill No. 2O3, requiring the county
commissioners to give bonds, was read.
Mr.. STROM moved to amend, by increas-
ing the pay of the county commissioners
to $3.50 per day for every day OF actual
service.
Mr.. BUCHANAN moved that the com.
mittee recommend that the bill do not
pass.
Mr.. STEVENS moved to amend by re-
commenting that it do pass.
MI. THOMPSON of Cass said that he
opposed this bill. because the office of
county commissioner is a purely legisla-
tive Office. A. county commissioner should
no more be compelled to give bonds thar a
member of the legislature.
Mr.. STEVENS agreed that the duties
were Legislative, and that the county COM
missioncrS could be prosecuted. but after
you get the county commissioner in jall
what does your county gpto He believed in
placing them under bonds. so that if they
steal anything they or their bondsmrn
will be compelled to return it to the
county. Coupty commissioners are liable
to become corrupt as we'll as other people.
Of course in Mr.. Thompson's county of
CaSS, where they build big court houses
and in my county where they have large
contracts, they axe perfectly honest and
cannot he corrupted, but away out in the
outlying counties we hear Of corruption.
laughter. | believe they should give
bonds.
MI. THOMPSON gave as his reason for
opposing the bin that the duties of the
office was such that even if a commissioner
wa corrupt in the construction OF build
ings, etc, you could not reach his bonds
men,.
Mi. BOWEN did not agree that the Of
flee Of county commissioner is purely Ipgis-
lative. 1t is judicial and in auditing bills,
determining matters of the greatest import.
ancc to the county, it is no more thar lust
that they should give bonds.
MI. rooney said thatthe people of Steele
county had requested that the bill be i'll
troduced. They evidently knew what they
wanted and he presented the bill.
Mr.. llANKlNSON said that if this bill
had not been introduced, he would have in
trnduced one. Three of the commissioners
of his county had just been indicted. The
people ought to have some protection
against corrupt county commissioners.
Mr.. STIiOM urged that the compensation
of the commissioners should be increased
if they are required to give bonds.
Mr.. STEVENS wanted to know why.
Have your commissioners refused to act :.
Have they ever resigned?
Mr.. STltON: Yes: they have.
the committee recommended the pas
sage of the bill.
House bill 40. l5S, compelling railroad
companies to build and keep in repair
highway crossings, was tavorably recon-
mpldcd.
Also senate bill No.. So, authorizing
counties to issue bonds for the building OF
court houses and jailS-thc amount not to
exceed llYc per cent. OF the assessed valua-
ton.
senate bill 40. 81, authorizing The state
auditor, state treasurer and attornry-gen-
eral to confer with a similar commission
from South Dakota for a final settlement
between North Dakota and South, Dakota
wa reached.
Mr.. WALSH moved that the bill be not
considered at present, as a house resolution
calling l0r the appointment Of a joint
commission was passed by the house and
has been in the senate some time. This
looks like d%iscourte,y to the house and he
did not think the house should pass the
senate bill at this time.
MIR. STEVENS gave as q further reason
that the commission should be composed
of members of the Legislature and not state
officers.
House bill No. 81, providing for publicity
OF chattel mortgage sale, was favorably
recommended.
SABBATH BREAKING.
House bill No. 119, imposing a fine of
not less than SIS and not more than $40 for
Sabbath breaking, was considered.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, house bill No.
so on the same subject was considered at
the same time. this bill fixing the fine
absolutely at $40.
Mr.. CURRIER moved that the enacting
clauses be stricken from both bills. Lost.
Mr.. STEVENS moved that bill No. so be
amended so that tnep penalty shall not be
less than IS nor more than $40. and that as
so amended it pass.
Mr.. HANKINSON wanted to know how
this bill would affect the seven day Adven-
fists.
Mr.. STROM: If you will turn to the Pc
nal code you will get all the information
you desire on that point. Laughter.
nc MANS LAND.
House bill No. III, attaching "No Mans
Land" to Walsh county, together with the
protest of the citizens of "No Mans Land"
was considered.
'rhe committee on counties had recon-
mended that the bill do pass.
Mr.. MCCORMICK moved the adoption of
the report.
Mr. MONTGOMERY moved as an
amendment, that the bill do not pass, CIV
ing as his reasons that Walsh county is al
ready unwieldy, land they did not want this
strip of land.
The bill was recommitted.
House bill No. 58, OH uSury, being read,
Mr.. COLE moved that all usury and ex-
emption bills be made a special order for
Wednesday next at 3 p. m.
MIR. BOWEN said he would support this
motion if it had reference to any one sub
ject.
Mr.. STEVENS called for a division of
the question.
The question was decided and all usury
bills were made q special order for next
Wednesday afternoon.
PUBLIC MILLS.
House bill No. 16, declaring Touring
mills receiving their power from the
streams of the state, public mills.
Mr.. WILLIAMS moved that the bill be
made a special order for tomorrow
Thursday at 3 p. m. Carried.
The report OF the committee of the whole