The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-21
Special to Tho Journal,

Missouri river, and the attachment of
unorganized territory to organized will
come before the legislature soon. The
representatives west df the river have
mad no end OF trouble trying to get this
matter Strengthened out. Years ago a bill
was passed attaching the u,organizcd ter
r1tory to Stark, Billings and Mercer coun-
ties. but 1t was vetoed by Governor Short
ridge. Later another bill was passed and
approved, making a, young kingdom out Of
Stark and Billings counties and adding
practically all the. lunorganized counties
to them This bill was knocked out by
the supreme court because Of unconstitu-
tionality in its title, 1t is proposed to
create a new county out Of part Of the
territory west Of theariver and add the re-
mainder to the counties OF Mercer, Stark
and Billings. The west-Missouri repre-
sentatives are anxious to- get a bill this
time that will meet constitutional re-
quirements, !. At present there is a vast
territory west of 4 the Missouri that is
unorganized: The bin will probably pass
without difficulty. $St:%. r..
If a new county is created west of the
river. a movement will Abe started by
some Of the old time Dalsotans to have it
named after Moses. x. Armstrong of st.
James. Mimi, territorial pioneer. member
of one Of the first territoriaI legislatures
and afterwafd delegate in congress-
one Of the old guard that pioneered with
Armstrong now in the legislature South
Dakota has named county after Arm
strong and North Dakota may follow suit.
Hamilton compllmented.;
Major ]. c. Hamilton Of Grand Forks
was the recipient OF a token Of appre-
citation by the house in al recent session,
in the shape of q resolution requesting
him to remain during the session in a
capacity advisory<sto the speaker, the
members Of the Legislature and the
the clerical work. Hamilton is one Of the
attaches Of the United States senate, and
that body will probably grant him a leave
of absence. He is a, former chief clerk
Of the house and; well informed on all
matters pertaining to house work.
There are over fifty new bills, to-
gether with half a dozen concurrent reso-
lutioo1s, which involve: much debate and
consideration before final action Is taken
The bills already introduced cover a multi
tude of topics, and there is the usual
| tinkering with the present Jaws which
never seem to reach finalftv.>~:l
A Grand Forks county state bank cash
Ter was recently sentenced to. six weeks
in jail. and fine for receiving deposits
after lie knew the bank was inso1vent
and now a Grand Forks county man has
| introduced a bill making the minimum
penalty for such an offense year III
| the penitentiary. 49,,
The department of insurance wil ask
the Legislature for: an Increased ;<appro'
priation foreelerica1 work, In order thai
| proper attention may be paid to all mat
tiers Of Of Insurance. II. aRsftlsgstes security o
policy holders l - ~ sssss.ss 81 J
T. Druggists Permit YLaw Repeal !
Alleged abusese OF the druggists permit
law will lead to a movement for the re-
peal of the law. taking, away from drug
| purposes on the affidavit OF the applicant
| The present law requires that the ap'
plicant for the purchase OF liquor fol
I medicinal purposes take an oath, stating
! the amount of liquor he requires and the
lailment which needs treatment. He ther
signs a. blank, which is filed for refer
ence by the druggist and a. book In which
| the affidavits are bound Is filed perlodl
cally with the county judge. I;
The complaints against this system ar
many, not that the law is wrong in spirit
but weak in the letter Of its enforce
ment. It is asserted that in many case
the making Of an affidavit is merely {
matter of form; that the applicant take
no oath at all, but merely signs his NAM
at the bottom Of the printed blank IN
perfunctory way, and gets his liquor
/ gists exercise no discretion In making
sales of liquor, and require nothing blu
the simple signature. Under this la!
1 observance of the law. many, drug store
are complained Of as little better thai
''pigs.' -
/ There is no question but reputable
druggists would prefer to have the medic
I inal permit system abolished: It is mere
ly source of distasteful business t.
them, and they are besieged with appli
cants for liquor who are willing to "sig1
! the book and see no reason why. unde
the circumstances. they should be re
fused. The resubmissionists,~ also, woul'
probably favor the repeal OF the permi
law for the reason that if it were mad
practically impossible to obtain ltquo
lit would sooner bring the resubmissiol
/ question to head. = = ~.-:@r.'-., .'
| } Personal injury Bill. $3.50 -
/ There promises to be a vigorous cam
lpaign for the personal injury bill, pre-
sented in the house by Representativ
Mckenzie of Stutsman county. The rail
canvassing for the bill, and in some case
have made it campaign issue. TIL
4 railroads will probably oppose; the bill
as vigorously. .' 49, ~ =
The proposed regulation Of the prac
tice of optometry will reduce the nunnbe
of travelling spectacle peddlers. operatn
l as experts for the treatment Of the eye
with lenses. 49,. r.. =: -. - .
| The proposition to have the state min
coal on its own lands will probably no
reach any stage more mature than spec
ulation. The state is hardly prepare
vet to 20 into the coal business