Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-02-17

SicoCiLiS sIdIo DOaTO OF parOOnS.
House Bill No. 112, concurrent resolu-
tion for an amendmenG to the constitu-
tion providing for the assessment of ex-
press and similar companies, which was
the previous day referred to the committee
Of the whole and was recalled and passed
On motion of MI. Stevens, who stated that
he had examined the resolution and tnat
it must pass the house unchanged to be
submitted to the people at the next cleo
ton.
THE TWINE PLANT BILLS.
Mr.. Sargent asked that the senate res
olution providing for the issue of $780,
900 certificates of Indebtedness for the
of twine plant at the
state penitentiary be recalled from the
of the whole and placed upon
its final passage. The motion was car
ried and Mr.. Sargent spoke briefly on the
resolution. The object was to provide
funds for the establishment of a twine
plant at the state penitentiary. 1t had
passed the senate unanimously. Some
objection had been raised because the
resolution failed to specify rate of in
terest-that it might not be possible to
secure a low rate. He desired to state that
propositions had been already sub
mitted to him from outside the state to
take the proposed issue at as low rate
as five and half per cent. Mr.. Dough-
erty inquired why the resolution pro-
vided for the sale of the warrants at
such discount as would produce a
reasonable rate of interest, instead of
naming rate. Mr.. Hare explained that
as certificates, similar to funding war
rants, no interest could be specified, and
the interest must be provided for as
stated in the resolution. The resolution
had been drawn up with great care and
no changes should be made. Mr.. Wal
lace stated his position on the matter.
He was opposed to any competition of
convict labor with honest labor. He had
been opposed to it two years ago and
was as firmly opposed now. 1t was true
some small benefit might be derived
from the sale of twine to farmers of the
state, but they were but portion of the
great human family and what might be
saved to them came out of the pockets
of honest labor elsewhere. Mr.. Tousley
was surprised that anyone should ques-
tion the propriety of the employment of
convicts. Some employment must be
given, for the salvation of the prisoners
who are confined, and who must not be
kept in idleness, and thus untitled for
becoming again members of society
when released. The work should be
such as to conflict with honest labor as
little as possible, but work there must
be. Mr.. Hare said the trip of the COM
mittee to Saltwater had convinced the
members of the committee of the wis
dom of the establishment of such a
plant 1t was right and proper that the
state should consider the question of
employment for it's prisoners.
In the Saltwater prison, the employees
Of the twine plant appeared cheerful,
bright and in measure contentcd. The
with honest labor was not
such as to warrant apprehension. In
outside twine plants, the work is done in
The greater part by girls and the wages
are at the highest fifty cents day.
The establishment of a plant would
prove of benefit to the prisoners,
whose moral welfare was threatened by
ldleness. The plant would also prove a
source of revenue to the state, benefit
to the farmers and would effect the reg
ulation of the price of twine.
The resolution of the senate was
adopted, Mr. Wallace voting no.
Mr.. Sargent then asked that if there
we're no objections, House Bill No. 129,
being the bill of the special committee
of which he was chairman, providing for
The establishment of the plant, be re-
called from the committee of the whole
and placed on it's third reading and
inal passage.
Mr.. Diesem raised a question, after
The bill was before the house, as to
whether the time stated in
he bill, April l, for the fixing
# the price of twine would best
erve the interests of the plant-he
believed an earlier date would be better.
dr. Sargent and Mr.. Hare explained
hat the committee had decided on this
late after considering all the features
# the matter and were satisfied that it
would be the best plan. The bill was
'assed, Mr.. Wallace again voting no.
Both bills were then disposed of by the
assage of the motion to lay reconsidera-
ion on the table.
REPORTS ON BILLS.
House Bill No. 148, Uglands, amend
1g the law for the payment of road tax,
'as reported to pass by the committee
n municipal corporations.
House Bill No. 88, Dougherty's, fixing
be salaries of registers of deeds was.
to be amended by thes
doption of substitute, which was
rdered printed.
House Bill No. 2, was recommended to
ass by the judiciary committee, after
eing amended to omit the words, "as
etined by the title on trusts" The bill
Aliens defining the rights of husband
nd wife.
House Bill No. 131, Laughlin's amend
lent to the estray law was reported
18th amendments and went to general
rders.
House Bill No. 1876, Towle's requiring
le covering or filling of wells was re-
Orted with amendments and went IN