The representative., 1901-03-14

tative Dunn, the author, offered an amend
ment eliminating state officers from the
provisions of the bill His proposition was
defeated, and Immediately Representative
jacobson moved the indefinite postpone
ment Of the bill.
defeat was possible, and Representative
Laybourn saved the day by moving to re-
consider the vote by which the amendment
was rejected and securing roll call on
his motion the vote was reconsidered, and
the amendment submitted by Mr. Dunn ac-
cepted.
The final passage of the measure fur
nished the first band wagon incident of
the present session Of the house The roll
call showed that there We're Sc votes in
favor OF the bill and 81 against it. No
sooner was this fact apparent than there
ensued wild scramble on the part of II
members who had voted in the negative to
change their votes. 1t was amusing to
watch the actions of those men who for
the several hours that the debate on the
matter had lasted had opposed the measure
as being fnimical to the interest of the
farming community change front and
eagerly notify the speaker that they wished
to have their votes recorded in the af-
flrmative.
1t seemed that their convictions were not
strong enough for them to return to their
constituents and possibly have to face the
accusation that they were afraid to trust
their political future to the direct vote of
the people in their several districts In
any event they weakened, and subjected
themselves to much good natured badinage
from the supporters of the bill. The final
vote stood SO fer tine adoption of the
measure to IA against it.
CONSIDERATION OF BILL.
When the consideration of the bill was
taken up on the special order Mr.. Dunn
rod
portant ones being that excepting the Sc
lection OF state officers under the provisions
OF the contemplated law and one in regard
to the declaration of the voter as to his
political faith having the bill read that in
place OF being called upon to swear, if chal-
lenged, that he had voted for majority of
the cand dates of the party with which he
was supposed to affiliate at the last election
II was only necessary for him to state
that he belonged to the party whose candi-
dates he generally supported at the last
general election
Republicans and Democrats alike without
discussion, but when it came to decidins:
the matter in regard to state officers the
amendment was defeated. and it was only
alter spirited argument on the part of those
VINO desired the passage of the bill that
the vote was reconsidered and the amend
nent finally adopted.
The advocates of the measure breathed
easier when after the adoption of the
amendment Mr. jacobson withdrew his mo-
tion to indefinitely postpone This how
ever, did not determine the question
Amendment after amendment, principally
In the matter OF trying to restrict the oper-
atlons OF the law to the cities of the state
alone were offered and it was continually
argued that with the primary election law
in force throughout the state the country
districts would be outvoted in the selection
OF candidates, and representation come from
the cities alone.
DISCUSSION LONG ONE.
For over two hours the question was dis
cussed, but every attempt to confine the op-
erations OF the law to certain districts was
defeated Representatives Dobbin and Dem
ing, Hennepin, were among those who sided
with the contention of those opposing the
bill, and 1t was not until it was seen by
them that the measure had passed that
, they changed their votes. Their excuse was
as was the plea made by Representatives
Ferris, Wells and others that they thought
they were acting for the best interests of
the country districts, but that as thew saw
they were mistaken, owing to the vote as
! it stocd, they, too, desired to obtain a seat
on the bandwagon.
During the progress of the debate several
members were found to have hobbies in
the matter of the operation of the law. For
; instance, Representative Laybourn before
! Mr.. jacobson made ms motion to indefinite-
ly postpone action, argued that state officers
should come under the provisions of the bill.
as he was well assured that the people
wanted to have voice In the selection OF
the railroad and warehouse commissioners.