Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-01-17
NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE.
Ch~ sssstv transactions 1T the lawmakers
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ixation OF the senate today Lieutenant.
Governor Bartlett refused to entertain
the nomination of officers agreed upon
in the senate caucus. when not specih-
cally provided for by law. and ON the
question of the second assistant secre-
tary. the assistant journal clerk. the
proofreader and additional pages. appeals
were taken from the chair and the on
GERS elected over the Acknowledgements
or's objection.
subsequently, Bartlett refused to swear
In these olhcers as presiding of1lcer OF
the senate. claiming they had been elect
ed without authority Of law. Senator La
moure. who is president pro tenn. of the
senate. announced that he would swear
them in, II the senate desired. and II
Lieutenant Governor Bartlett refused to
do 80.
Bartlett went on record as favorine
strict compliance with law in dealing out
senate patronage. and the senators take
the stand that 1t was their right to elect
what officers they chose. Six senators
voted with the lieutenant governor.
Both organisations were perfected to-
day, and both houses adjourned until to-
morrow afternoon.
Governor Fancher. who has been Ill
in California for the past few months. did
not get back to see the closing Of his
administration. Fancher's health is Inn
proving, but not sufficiently to allow him
to return. Governor Devine filed the re-
firing message. as he did two years ago,
Governor Briggs having died In his term
OF Office.
Governor Devine's retiring message to
the assembly deals largely with the SUBJ
ject Of finances. The governor cites the
receipts and disbursements for the years
1899 and 1900. The liabilities of the state
on Jan. !, 1901. are given at $232000. Of
which $4,000 is in funding warrants un-
paid and $4,000 in unpaid bills on the
auditors desk. The available cash on
hand is only 5000. so that the net In
crease in deficiency over Jan. !. 1899. is
$4,000. Close economy Is urged In the
management Of state affairs.
The reports of state officers and insti-
buttons are stated to have been well pre-
scented and satisfactory.
A uniform system Of accounts is rec
commended for public institutions. and the
bank examiner and auditing board Of the
state, the governor states, should be au-
thorized by law to enforce uniform ac-
counting.
Unequal and unjust taxation is COM
planned of by the people of the state.
The governor believes the fault lies with
the administration Of the law rather than
the law itself. The appointment of one
assessor in each county by the Judge Of
the district court for term of four
years. the appointment to be approved
by the board of county commissioners.
the governor believes, would be long
step in the right direction.
An officer attached to the state land de-
partment is recommended. whose duty 1t
shall be to inquire into the character
of all land owned by the state. look at
ter rentals and collections. prosecute
cases of trespass, and generally to take
charge of all matters which require per-
sonal attention outside of the Office. Such
an appointment, the governor believes.
would mean an increase of SO per cent in
rentals, or not far from 5000 year.
State institutions are discussed to some
extent. The penitentiary is said to have
never been better managed and the Irvine
plant is believed to be q good business
proposition for the state. A recommen-
dation is made for an appropriation to
enable the plant to be operated at Its
full capacity. The governor believes the
institution should be made nearly self
supporting inside the next five years.
The erection of hospital is urged.
The governor suggests that as there 10
urgent necessity at many Of the state
institutions for additional buildings. and
as the state has not the funds wherewith
to meet the necessity, the legislature au-
thorize the board Of trustees to bond the
institution lands to raise funds.
Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 1O.-No business
Of great Importance was transacted in
either house yesterday The messages Of
the two governors were formally deliv-
cred in Joint session, and the senate adj
jourred after the introducing of few
new bills. Among them was primary
election bill by Senator Cashel of Walsh,
which represents in a measure the desires
of the supporters of the primary election
system in the state.
The house named thirty-one clerks, one
from each legislative district. and they
were assigned to various positions prior
to taking places as engrossing clerks Of
the house.
The state capitol commission has made
its selections Of the force at the state
capitol, and has cut salaries to some ex-
tent. in the line with the governors rec
concentrations for economy.
A committee from the legislature will
probably make an investigation Of the
several state departments with view to
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