Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-12
MESSAGES ARE READ.
Retiring and Incoming Governors
Deliver Their Messages.

Deliver Their Messages.
Bismarck. N. D.. Jan. 5.-The two
houses Of the legislature met in Joint
assembly in the hall of the house of
representatives to receive the mes
sages of the incoming and retiring SOY
ernors. Brief sessions of the house
and senate were held prior to the joint
assembly. The joint committee OF the
house and senate escorted Gov. Fan
cher and retiring Gov. Devine to the
speakers stard, whence the messages
were read. T;;a delivery of the mes
sages was the only business before the
joint assembly, which was in session Il
little over an hoIr. Owing to an irreg-
ularity in the Introduction and reading
of Senator La Mour's, divorce bill it
was reread and referred to the commit
tee Of the whole. The bill has many
friends in both houses. A strong lob
by against the measure is looked for
when it comes up for disposition by the
senate. The senate committee on cleo
tiops and privileges was also an
nounced by the lieutenant governor.
The committee is composed OF Sena-
tors Arnold (chairman), Cooper, La
Moure, Porter, Sanborn, Caslio; and
Noble-fve Republicans and two fu-
sionists. The COMMITTEES will report
upon the contests brought by Mayor
johnson of Fargo against J. q. Cronan.
and by j. S. Greene of M1.:dan against
J. A. McDougall. The first move in
the direction of q senatorial caucus
was made aztec the session Of the two
houses, when caucuses of Republicans
of the house and senate were held for
the appointment of caucus committees
upOn the matter of tue senatorShip,
thus giving an official head to the SEN
atorial caucus movement. The joint
caucus committee will hold Il meeting
tonight to confer, and if deemed adj
visable at this time appoint date for
a caucus. Stevens of Burleigh, Walker
of Pembina and Tufte of Cass in the
house, and Murphy of Grand Forks
and Mc(1ilvray OF Stark, OF the senate,
are the committee.
The report is that there will be an
early caucus on the senatorsisiD matter
and that the committee will call q
caucus either Friday or Saturday.
Bismarck, Jan. G.-1Me routine work
in the legislature was light. The SEN
ate committee of the whole reported
favorably on the La Moure divorce
bill. amending the present required
residence from three to twelve months.
La Moura took occasion to roast news
paper correspondents for impugning his
good faith in introducing the bill. The
divorce matter is now before the sen
ate for final action on the bill when
the third reading of bills is reached in
order of business and the early intro
duction of the bill and the prompt ac-
ton taken in favor, of it's passage by
the upepr house means practically the
passage by the assembly, as the lower
house is almost certain to pass it if it
reaches there. Bills introduced: By
Senator Creel, abolishing the office of
oil inspector; by Senator Fuller,
making an appropriation of $4,000
for the state hospital for the insane. Of
which $4,000 is proposed for the cree
ton Of new buildings; for a constitu-
tional amendment permitting the in
yestment of the permanent school
fund in county and municipal bonds
within the state, in state bonds and in
first mortgages on farm lands.
II the house Bill No. 1 was intro
duced by Mr.. Chacey, providing that
railroad commissioners be authorized
to make schedule OF reasonable rates
for common carriers, and providing
tAtLG VIC nlSl oShCuuAC OC
within sixty days of the taking effect
of the act. This is revival of the
maximum rate matter. State Treas
ure Nichols has been i'll, and the trans
fer of the state funds will not take
place until tomorrow. There is $780,
900 in cash to be transferred, and an
,overdraft Of $4,000 on the general
fund.
Bismarck, Jan. 7.-Senator La
.M0ure's divorce bill passed the senate
without an opposing vote The sena-
tor also had motion to reconsider
laid on the table, SO the measure is
officially through the upper house and
the chances are that it will become
law.
Bills were introduced in the house
providing for state boiler inspection,
by Ealer Of Barnes; for an appropria.3
tion of nearly 100000 for the state 4
deaf school, by Hale, and several bills
relating to minor amendments Of the
present law.
Senator Creel introduced bill ere
:ating board of>medical examiners to
pass on the physical condition OF all I.
for licenses to marry and