Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-02-25
THE LEGISLATURE.
Pr6ceeaiags Of North Dakota Law
M makers.

Proceedings Of North Dakota Law.
aAakers.
Bismarck, n. D., Feb 15.-'rhc house
committee on railroads introduced Il
bill regulating common carriers and
defining the duties of the railroad COM
missiOncrs with relation Il Creto. 1t Is
practically the Iowa railroad law with
few additions. Cryan, Pop, introduced
bill similar to the committee bill.
Twitchell. acting chairman Of the
the bill, which he declined to do.
Twitchell accused Cryan of bad faith
and the latter angrily resented the
charge. \ war of words ensued be-
tween the two and the speaker called
upon the scrgeant-at-arlns to preserve
order.
Twitchcll of Ransom offered con-
current resolution providing that no
bills he introduced in either house af-
ter Feb. 20. The resolution was tabled.
A committee Of five was appointed to
confer with the citizens committee rel
alive to holding the postponed inAug-
ural ball on Washinston's birthday. In
committee of the whole the bill to Gre
ate the office of public defender in
each county. also the bill authorizing
the state auditor to pay Il reward Of
fercd by Richland county for Henls'
rrimhle. the murderer, were indeti-
nitely postponed. The following bills
We're recommended to pass by the COM
mittee of the whole: Providing that
no banks shall be designated as county
repositories outside the state; prescrib-
ing the conditions upon which surety
companies may do business in the
state: regulating appeals from justices
court; providing for the compensation
of the officers of the state board Of
health.
House bills introduced: Erickson,
appropriating $1,000 for the care of
the blind: Sargent, authorizing u ver-
dict in civil actions for tive-sixths of
the jury: Earl. fixing the salary Of
county judge according to the assessed
VALUATION $4OO for the first million dol
lars, and $4OO for each additional mil
lion, the salary not to exceed $1,000;
Joy. amending the law relating to the
establishment of election precincts;
Mitchell requiring the state auditor to
transmit lists Of taxable lands to coun-
ty auditors; Carlen, preventing
greater rate of interest after note be-
comes due than is provided for in such
instrument before maturity; Hurley.
appropriating $4,000 for the building
OF a bridge across the Red River of the
North.
Bismarck. y. D.. Feb. 16.-The war
on the railroads was continued in the
house. Williams Of Trail offered Il
resolution instructing the state equal
iZation board to hereafter assess rail
roads $1,000 per mile or more. The
railroad committee reported favOrably
on bill compelling roads to bulletin
the time Of arrival and departure of
trains. also bill compelling railroads
to construct Us at the intersection Of
other roads. The Judiciary commit
tee reported favorably ON Twitchell's
concurrent resolution amending the
constitution regarding the taxing of
express, sleeping car. telegraph and
telephone companies. The death knell
of resubmiSsion as far as the present
legislature is concerned was sounded
in the house by the introduction and
adoption of the following resolutions:
"Whereas. it is evident from the
tenor Of a large number of tie petit
tons now being presented to this body
that there is some influence at work
throughout the state arousing public
sentiment and creating alarm among
the advocates OF temperance, not justi-
fled by any action of this body or any
proposed measure pending; and being
opposed to unqualified repeal of pro-
hibition articles in the constitution and
a return to conditions existing prior to
statehood. therefore, resolved, that
there exists no well grounded reason
for such unusual agitation at this
time, and that the cause of tempe
rance is safe in the hands of the resu-
larry elected representatives OF the
people from the various districts Of the
state"
The resolution was introduced by
Speaker Williams, and was passed
without a dissenting voice. showing
the overwhelming sentiment in favor
of the prohibition law. The house
passed the concurrent resolution pro-
viding that no bills be introduced after
Feb. 20. except by consent of two
thirds of the members. Dougherty i'll
troduced concurrent resolution in
structing the state treasurer to pro-
coed against the bondsmen of insolvent
banks where state funds are deposited.
The governor signed the bill permit
tee in the state. The committee on
taxes and tax laws introduced a COM
plcte revision of the revenue laws.
The committee has worked on this re-
vision since the first days OF the SEES
sion, weighing each successive step
carefully. and claim to have corrected
nearly all, if not all, evils in the pres
ent law. Under the provisions of the
bill the state board of equalization
will consist Of the governor. state au-
ditor, attorney general and county au-
ditor Of each county. Williams OF
Burlcigh and Erickson Of Benson in
troluccd bills amending the divorce
law. requiring Il residence of one year
before commencement of action. 9th
er house bills introduced: Sargent,
regulating foreclosure OF land con-
tracts. also establishing Il township
system Of care of the poor; Joy. ell
couraging county fares and providing
n fax levy therefor. Raldpn nrOyjlinr