Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1892-06-09
A SHORT SPECIAL SESSION.
Legislature Adjourned Friday
Night After a Lively
Days Work.
The House Finally Grants an
Extra $l2,5OO for the
Big Fair.
divers Platform Bill Becomes
A LaW-by Large
Majority.

OIlVofS Platform Bill Becomes
A LaW-by a Large
Majority.
The worlds fair appropriation fund of
North Dakota was increased by $12,5OO,
for state building, by the extra session
of the legislature which adjourned last
Friday. 1t was hard work to get that
sum. The chief opposition arose in the
house. Several amendments looking to
the expenditure of various amounts for
woman's department and for an edu-
cational exhibit were promptly defeated.
On the first vote in the house, the entire
bill was lost, but was reconsidered and
carried as it passed the senate, by one
vote. The alliance members, mostly,
were opposed to it. The speeches on
the occasion, or many of them, were
carefully prepared. The prevailing sent
iment was that the affairs of the board
had not been heretofore satisfactorily
managed. Several members suggested
complete reorganization Of the board,
and made public references to that sde-
sire. The sentiment appeared to be
that the state needed good display,
and the people wan ted it, but the mem
bers we're not able to believe that any
more than $37, 800 was needed for the
purpose. In face of the opposition the
passage of tho bill for the small amount
above named, was difficult work. There
was good deal of record making on the
economy plan, but many members drop
ped the political phase of the bill, and
spoke for it from the stand point of the
states interest. In the senate the dis.
cussion of the bill brought out the fol-
loving:
Mr.. Worst said there had been a
general agreement among the senator's
majority of them at least-that this
bill covers about the amount OF money
that they feel that North Dakota can
appropriate at this time for the Worlds
fair. He believed 1t would bea great mis-
take if the legislature does not at least
appropriate this small amount while bis
sentiments favor $4,000, it seemed to
him that 812,5OO would complete the
work already begun. The probabilities
are that there will be an increased crop,
and then, when the dreaded campaign is
over, the possibilities are that
another session will appropriate an ad-
dltional sum, SO that this state can take
it places and do it's part towards making
the exposition of 1898 the greatest that
has ever been seen on this planet.
Mr.. Bisbee considered that this is q
question that should be carefully con-
sldered. But this bill of $12,5OO is not
the end of it. The man who votes for
this, virtually votes for $100, 1000, :for an
additional sum will be called for by the
next legislature. When the last session
Of this legislature was held, the speaker
plead for small appropriation to help
some men in the state who said that un.
less they had help with which to buy
seed, they must leave North Dakota
How was he treated? The statement
was made that there was no money IN the
treasury, and the measure would be un.
constitutional anyhow. Already 5000
bad been appropriated for the worlds
fair and part of it squandered. His con-
science and his constituents would not
allow him to vote for any more. Some oi
<bo ho toko tolox, ho
hands of the sheriff. Others have been
obliged to send to their friends in the
east for money to take them from the
state. What an advertisement this is
when few Thousand dollars would have
prevented it. When North and South
Dakota were a territory, there was an
exposition at New Orleans, and mar
was sent there with $4,000. It stands on
record today that the territory had the
best show Of any state or territory IN the
union. He paid all bills with the $1,000
and when asked what he had done with
the money. he had all the items to tell
what he had done with it. This bill
means dollars and cents to the Taxpayers
OF North Dakota.
MI. Worst thought it would be grave
mistake to believe that the appropriation
Of 81, 500 would mean the appropriation
by the next Legislature Of $75,OOO The
speaker made strong plea for liberal
advertising of the advantages Of The
state.
Mr.. Welser opposed the measure be-
cause his constituency demanded that
no further appropriation be made.
Mr.. Almen believed that majority o
the farmers Of the state were opposed t
the measure.
Mr.. Kinter also opposed the measure
He claimed that the last legislature wa
very extravagant. 1t appropriated $40,