Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-03-03
THE HOUSE

The house met at 10 a. m. and went into
committee of the whole. The committee
had under consideration various bills.
TAXING TELEGRAPH COMPANIES.
Mr.. BENTLEY'S bill: For the taxing
of teleg aph companies came up for con-
sideration and was discussed TO consider
able extent. A strong disposition was
shown to reach the property of telegraph
companies for taxation if possible.
DR.. BENTLEY recited the history of the
legislation upon this subject and showed
that the first, which provided for license,
brought no results. The next resulted in
taxing the poles and wires and instru-
ments in the offices and resulted in total
tax of about $1,000. The total capital stock
of the company is $So,0o0,OOO, of this $4S,-
100000 is watered stock, and the tariffs are
made to pay dividends on this watered
STOCK. What the people want is a law that
will tax them on the value of their fran
chise.
Mr.. OLIVER called the attention of the
house to the provisions of the constitution.
Mr.. BENTLEY suggested that it was
apparent that the guns of the people were
spiked In the constitutional convention,
and effectively spiked so far as reaching
corporations for taxation by ordinary
methods was concerned. He moved that
the bill be referred to committee of three.
the object being to report amendments.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
MIR. WALSH'S, No. 260: Regulating the
working of highways in civil townships.
THE EXEMPTION LAW.
Mr.. SOUTHARD'S bill, No. 22l: In re.
lation to the exemption law came up for
discussion.
Mr.. SANFORD moved that the bill be
indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. NEWMAN called attention to the
conflict between the constitution and the
present law; the constitution gives right
Of exemption to the head Of every family;
the constitution also provides that the
legislature shall name the kind and value
of property which shall be exempt. Under
the present law the kind and value is
fixed by the debtor and not by the law.
Mr.. OLIVER moved that the report upon
| the bill by the committee on Judiciary
which simply amends the law by striking
out the word debtor and inserting "head Of
the family" leaving exemptions as they
now are. ito pass. Messrs. UELAND, Nc
CULLOCH and others favored this and it
was adopted. Thirteen of the committee,
however, had Joined in minority report
making radical changes, but the above was
the only change made.
HOUSE BILLS PASSED.
Mr.. BULLARD'S bill, No. "a: Amend
ing chauter 12S, laws of 1889, in relation to
official bonds. Makes better provision for
their safety.
Mr.. UELAND'S bill, No. 9: Regulating
liability of railroad companies for dam
ages from fire escaping from their cars and
SUBSTITUTE for Mr.. Wrights bill,
No. AZ: Relating to the use of rivers foi
Mr.. TOWERS bill, No. 2l2: For oil in
SpMsEi.. Mr.. ELLIOTT explained the provisions
of the bill as being practically the WiscOn-
sin and Micrigan laws, with provisions
prohibiting the use OF paratine.
MIR. WlsHEK's bill, No. l4S: In relation
to appointment Of stenographers for dis
trict courts. Fee for transcribing records
| raised to 15 cents per folio.
Mr.. VEEDEE'S bill, No. 1873: Authoriz-
| ing county commissioners, on petition, to
tear down buildings owned by the county,
not required for use.
Mr.. SOUTHARD'S bill, No. 222: In
| relation tO rpdemptions from tax sale.
Mr. HODGSON'S bill, No. 2SS: Allows
| United States patents to be recorded with
out certificate as to taxes paid.
Mr. LOGAN'S bill, No. 1O2: For free
and uniform text books.
! Mr.. LARSON'S bill, No. 242: Extending
time for payment Of personal property
taxes.
Mr.. OLlvER'S bill, No. 259: Amending
civil code in relation to presumption Of
fraud in case of sale or assignment where
goods or chattels are not delivered at the
time of sale.
MIR. DEANS bill. No 244: Relating to
time and place Of holding supreme court.
MIR. DAVIS concurrent resolution re-
uuesting the secretary of the interior to