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

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Mr.. Tufte moxed to amend by substitut-
ing IS as a minimum penalty. Mr..
Chacey opposed any change from the
present law. He tried to be conscien-
tious and moral in his dealings but it
was patent to everyone that there must
come times when it would be necessary
for farmers to care for their crops by
working on Sundays. In some localities
there were people who were waiting for
opportunities to make arrests in these
cases. The house should oppose any
change. Mr., Tufte spoke in favor of the
amendment. Mr.. Bacon wanted to know
the object of the change. He thought it
would make no difference for the better
enforcement Of the law whether the fine
were 81 or Sand in the latter case it
might give an opportunity for injustice
at the hands of enthusiasts as had been
referred to by Mr.. Chacey. Mr.. Wolbert
supported the Tousley bill. 1t imposed
discretionary fine Of 81 to $50. There
were some people who could be reached
by the law alone. The proposed bill in
sured fairness. Mr.. Wallace thought
the house should not beat about the
bush but come out in the open favoring
any law that promised to promote NOR
ality. In Pembina county the law was
enforced and worked no hardship and
there was healthy sentiment in favor
OF it. At the same time he favored the
original bill-$1 to $40. There might be
cases in which prosecutions would not
be brought If the minimum fine were $5.
Mr.. McHarg said the law made no
change from the present law except that
it enlarged discretion of tho oourt. He
was not in favor of it. The judiciary
committee had considered the matter
carefully and recommended that both
bills be indefinitely postponed unanim-
ously. He believed the recommends
ton should be adopted. He mov-
ed that the bills be indefinitely
postponed. Mr.. Stevens said he
might admit the statements of the gen
tleman regarding the action of the judic-
iary committee, but his constituents had
petitioned him and he had right to
change his mind. Mr.. MoHarg's motion
was lost. Mr.. Hale thought if the bill
was to be passed, there should be way
to collect the fines and enforce the law
and for that reason he favored the other
bill, which provided that a Jail sentence
might be imposed also. Mr.. Sanford
protested against Sabbath breaking and
thought the assembly should take the
right ground against it by the passage of
such a law as proposed. The amend
ment of Mr.. Tufte was lost and the mo-
tion to report the bill favorably was car
ried. The other bill, 116, was Indefinite
ly postponed.
House Bill No. 26, Hale's, for the or
ganization of new territory into school
districts, was recommended to pass as
amended.
House Bill No. SO, Hale's, providing
for the apportionment of the tax of 81
levied on all electors for school purposes
came up on a recommendation to indef-
nitely postpone. Mr.. Hale moved as a
substitute that the committee report the
bill to pass. He was in favor of the
county apportionment of the funds-not
sending them to the capitol and sending
them back to the counties again, as was
the present system under the apportion-
ment of the state superintendent. The
bill was generally discussed. Mr.. Wal
lace stated that the committee had ex-
amined the bill carefully-and was con-
vinced that the present system was for
the benefit of poorer and sparser settled
districts, was matter of fairness. and
therefore the committee had recon-
mended against a change of the present
system. Mr.. Sanford of the committee
on education spoke along the same lines
the tax payers had an interest in the
education of all children-those far
away as we'll as those near at home. The
of the 81 tax was
brought into question in the discussion.
Mr.. Thomas said he had long been in
doubt as to whether this tax was war
ranted by the constitution, but that the
people paid it, would pay it probably,
and he saw no reason for change from
the present system. The discussion was
prolonged until $50, when on motion of
Mr.. Stevens, the committee reported
progress on the bill, with leave asked to
sit again.
The house adjourned upon the rising
of the committee and the filing of their
report.