Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1891-01-16
BISMARCK LETTER.
Editorial Correspondence:

grind regularly, and its grist is of the
usual quality. Bills are coming in by
whoesale-bills on every subject; bills
big and bills little, bills in real earnest and
bills for buncombe. There are bills on
every conceivable subject. Many are
meritori0us, and have been thoughtfully
prepared and are intended to do good in
some direction; but large number are
evidently introduced simply to satisfy the
members constituents that he is saving
wood and earning his money. Much
time and "1ilthy lucre' Is expended
by the reading, copying and
printing of such bills, and then the good
sense of the majority in the end usually
sends Them to the Legislative bone-yard.
But the people themselves are to large
extent responsible for this, as voters are
often heard to crticise their house or SEN
ate member because he isn't introducing
many bills.
The members of the present house, even
in the brief season since the session be-
gun, have established q good reputation
for work. Very few long .winded har-
anRues have been delivered and the talking
gentlemen have spoken tersely and to the
point The great trouble with most legis-
lative bodies Is that few men will talk
on every conceivable subject whether or
not they have any knowledge concerning
it. But II there are any men OF that kind
In the Second session they have not as yet
shown their pr0clivitius in that direction.
Lieutenant Governor Allin, as president
of the senate, is doing much better than
was expected by his friends. They thought
lie would not possess the requisite "cheek"
to sit up Oh top Of the platform and "call
down" the old parliamentary veterans that
arc wont to cavOrt, session after session,
over the three-ply carpet Of the senate
chamber, but he goes ut it like vcterai,,
and, rs the senators all like him, it is more
than likely that he will escape the rAzzle-
dazzle that often meets new presiding otli,
GERS of legislative houses in North Dakota.
In the house, the speaker, Mr.. Allin, is
rapidly becoming familiar with the duties
Of his position, and is giving satisfaction to
all factions.
Captain Fay of Mcintosh has introduced
large number OF bills. Among them is
one for the reappOrti0nment of the state
by senatorial districts, placing Enlmons
Mcintosh and Logan IN one district. Kid
der to go into another district. The cap
tain is hard worker.
Mr. Fiske, of Kidder, who, when elected,
was little known in the district, is very
pleasant gentleman and Is making many
friends.
The senatorial question is the absorbing
one, both with candidates, members and
the"generni public. Senator Pierce is here,
and is working hard. His friends claim
that he will surely be elected The oppo.
sition has not yet centered OF any candi-
date, but Hansbrougt has the principal
following next to Pierce. Colonel LOuns-
berry, Walter Muir, w. j. Anderson Of
Grand Forks, Colonel Plummer, General
Allen and number of others who would
take the position IL rendered them, are
here and numerous political lightning rods
are up with view Of catching the sena-
turlal bolt TO the ODlOOker the absolute
"cold-bloodedness" and cruelty of politics
is apparent. Only year ago Gilbert A.
Pierce was sent to Washington with the
unanimous Endorsement for the long
term of three years. BY SEN
atorial lottery he was deprived
of two years of the term for which he was
chosen, and is now compelled to come back
and fight for reelection. 1t would seem
thet sense Of justice would lead members
OF the legislature to take this into consid-
Grafton, and many Of them undoubtedly
will. The opposition to Fierce, though ap-
parently strong in numbers, have not yet
united upon single candidate, and it is
not believed that they will be able to do SO.
The democrats have about twenty-five
members, and there are six or seven
farmers alliance men. There are ninety
three members in the two houses. The re-
publicans have about slXty-fOur, and in
caucus thirty-three would be q majority.
1t Is believed that Senator Pierce would
control caucus, and for this reason his
opponents are seeking 10 prevent can-
Gus. Notwithstanding the confident asser-
tions of the various candidates and their
friends, there is nothing definitely known
as to the approximate number OF votes
each of such candidates will receive in the
convention of the two houses on the goth
of this month.
Synopsis of Bills
Following is synopsis and explanation
of the bills of general Interest that have
been introduced during the second session
Of the North Dakota leglslature:
The coal bill mo. SS) introduced in the
senate by Mr.. johnson of Ward, fixes 4
maximum coal rate as follows: For the
first SO miles or fractional part thereof,
30 cents per ton; over so miles and not to
exceed 100, $l.25 per ton; for over 100 miles
and not to exceed l50 miles. S1.50 per ton;
for over 15O miles and not to exceed 200,
$1.75 per ton; for over 200 miles and not ~
exceed 250 miles. Sl.95 per ton; for over $50
miles and not to exceed 800, $2.15 per ton;
for over 800 miles and not to exceed $50,
S2.35; for over $50 and not to exceed 400
miles, $3.50 per ton. The railroads that
neglect or refuse to carry out the provis-
ions of the law, shall be fined not less than
S26 day for each day SO neglccting or
refusing. The railroad commissioners are
authorized to enforce the provisions of the
bill.
Mr.. Svensruds senate bill No. 81 pro-
vides that the county treasurers of the
lect by distress and sale unpaid taxes on
personal property for the year 1890 until
after the 18th Of October, 1891, unless the
delinquents are about to remove from the
county.
Mr.. Svensrud's senate bill 38 provides
| that sheep inspectors shall receive So per
| day for the time employed in the dis
charge Of their duties and 10 cents mile
for each mile actually Travelled. 1t has an
emergency clause.
Mr., WeiSer'S senate hill "a nroyidns that