Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-02-24
Fiftieth Day.
THE HOUSE,

BISMARCK, Feb. u.
The house met at 10 q. III, Mr.. Oliver,
speaker pro tenn. Many members were
absent. The usual reports Of committees
were read ana the bills assigned to their
proper places.
HILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. EBBlGHAUSEN: Amending laws
of 1890 III relation to Intoxicating liquors.
Striking Out the imprisonm ent penalty,
leaving not less than $50 nor more than
$500 fine.
Mr.. TUFTS: Revising and consolidat-
ing the laws IN relation to draining marsh
and low lands.
A large number of senate bills were read
and referred to their proper committees.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Mr.. UELAND in the chair.
Mr.. LOGAN'S bill changing the time of
school election to November met with
fierce opposition and was finally recon-
mended not to pass by a vote of q to II.
MI. SANFORD'S bill reducing the pas
senger rates to three cents a mile, came up
| for consideration. MI. Sanford spoke in
favor of the bill. expressing the belief that
| since milage tichets were furnished at two
and one.half cents per mile, there was no
reason why the ordinary passenger rates
should not be reduced from four to three
cents,
Mr.. OLIVER stated that the representa-.
tives of the road came before the jOint
committee and showed the difficulties in
the way of such reduction; the meagreness
change would make to the farmers. and
yet in the aggregate much to the roads,
and prevent perhaps a reduction on freight,
and the committee unanimously voted
against the bill. 1t is estimated that it
would make a difference to the farmers of
not more than 81 cents each, while q re-
duction of freight of %one-fourth cent per
100 pounds would be of great benefit to all
farmers. To reduce the rates of passen-
ger traffic to 8 cents per mile and he be-
lieved the result would be an increase in
freight rates. The commercial travellers
pay most of the passenger fares.
MI. STROM desired to know it the rail-
that they would reduce rates on freight.
Mr.. KELLY said the commercial travellers
and the wealthy classes pay but "a cents
per mile. The farmers pay 4 cents because
they cannot buy the 1000 mile tickets.
MIR. SANFORD said that when the COM
panies fix freight rates, they base their
charges on a cost of $4,000 per mile for
alton $500 per mile is enough. Let them
base their freight charges on the actual
cost of their roads, and we will make no
demand for a reduction Of fares.
Mr.. BOYNTON, chairman of the rail-
road committee, who had consented as a
member of the committee to a report recon-
mending that the bill be indefinitely post
poned, insisted that the representatives of
the roads gave no reason why the fare
should not be reduced to 8 cents per mile,
and he wanted his vote recorded in this
house in favor of the 3 cent rate.
MI. OLIVER: Why didn't you so vote in
the committee?
Mr.. BOYNTON said ne had his reason,
and continued at length with eloQuence
and force in favor OF the 3 cent rate.
Mr.. OLIVER said he was a farmer and
in sympathy with the farmers, but did not
believe that to be a farmer it was II ces-
sary to confess ones self a chump. He
showed the effect upon railroad construc-
ton of a%ntagonistic measures. He spoke
of his surroundings and said he would give
$500 in cash to have a line which is al
ready graded to near his place, extended
nine miles because of the competition it
would bring. Legislation of this class
%paralyzed railroad construction, keeps
back competition and Injuries the farmers.
11C WOulu 1dVOl d lCOuCtlOll III lkCIElkU
rates, however.
Mr.. BOYNTON renewed his assault on
the railroads, demanding equal treatment
for the farmers with the wealthy classes.
He believed the poor man was entitled to
life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and
an equal show on railroads.
Mr.. HALLUM wanted the bill amended
to make the rates equal to all.
Mr.. LOGAN saw little advantage in the
bill to the farmers, as they travel so little,
and therefore opposed the bill.
Mr.. HODGSON was not particularly in
favor OF this bill. as it was of little moment
to the farmers, who travel so little, whether
him that 1t was inconsistent in the gentle
man from Ransom to antagOniZe this bill
because of it's injury to the roads while an
nOuncing his willingness to support a
measure for the reduction of freight rates
which would bring them far greater injury.
Mr.. OLIVER said the effect of the n
proposition was to annoy the roads with
little gain to the people and Of the other
to bring them grain.
MI. SANFORD suggested that the bill
be made a special order for Friday next,
which was adopted. This suggestion was
made because Of the absence of a large
number of members.
The house adjourned till 1870 p. IN.
Thursday, February 2Sd.
NOlESs
But seven working days of the legisla-
ture remain, and comparatively little bust
ness has been accomplished.
The governor is looking over the appro.
priat!on bills with a view to making sug-
gestioLs as to scaling them down, and in
order to avoid the veto of essential items.
There is little time for the consideration
OF any measure not absolutely necessary
to be passed. There is not one moment
for unnecessary talk. 1t is to be hoped
members will remember this. The talking
ought to be done in committee.
The easiest way to waste time during
the remainder of the session is to consume
it in suspending the rules. The best way
to save a measure is to get it on third read
ing and look after it and see that your
friends vote for it when it comes up.
Most Of the lobby left for the Red River
valley last evening.
Many Of the members of the legislature
will visit the bad lands on the excursion
to day. 1t will be q grand trip for those
l Vnhn how mt osnS4 kho~o