The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-31
NORTH DAKOTA
FINDING A WAY OUT
Commissioners Hope to Build the
Capitol Addition Notwithstand-
ing the Bond Failure.
Trolley Line Has a Direct Appropria-
ton and Is Not Affected
by the Decision.

Bismarck, N. D., Aug. 31.-Notwith-
standing the failure Of the issue of $780,
600 Of bonds authorized by the last 9legis-
lature for the erection of an addition to
the state capitol building, the capital COM
missiOners hope to be able to find a way
out of the difficulty and provide for the
erection and completion Of the addition
by the time the legislature meets again
In regular session.
Owing to the lateness Of the season the
addition cannot be completed this year,
but the commissioners have decided to
complete the basement and foundation
this fall, out of the moneys in the capitol
building fund. This fund arises from the
sale Of the $4,000 acres of land given by
congress to the state for its capitol build
ings. Unlike the other institution funds,
the direct proceeds of the sales Of it's
land may be used for state capitol build
! ings. This is provided by the enabling
act, and the status of the fund and the
lands was laid down in the bond decision
of the supreme court.
Another matter that seems to be mis-
understood in some parts of the state is
that In relation to the trolley line. 1t Is
taken for granted in some quarters that
| this project has also failed, with the in
|stitution bonds. AS a matter of fact, the
trolley was provided for by a direct ap-
! preparation out Of the. capitol building
fund, and is in no way affected by the de-
! c1sion Of the court.
The capitol commissioners will have q
surplus from the building of the trolley
line sufficient to build the foundation for
! the capitol addition. A large acreage OF
capitol lands has been ordered sold, and
when the funds from these sales come in,
| 1t IS believed there will be enough to take
up part of the capitol bonds and finish
the erection Of the addition. 1t is stated,
also, that there are contractors willing to
| take the bonds, and wait little time for
| the accumulation Of funds to pay them
off.
With respect to the matter Of a special
session of the legislature to provide funds
for the institutions, the political leaders
| of the state are beginning to take an in
| terest in the matter. Some of them are
credited with the belief that it will be a
matter Of doubtful expediency for the
governor to call a special session unless
he Is certain Of the attitude Of the legis-
1ature, and that, they say, is something
which cannot be told until the legislature
meets.
| It Is feared that the legislative body
may not be willing to vote several hun.
| dred thousand dollars from the genera
| fund of the state to the different institu.
tons, and that In the mix-up, other legis-
latton may come up to prolong the session
and engender feeling that will not be
beneficial to the party in power.
Another question that has been raised is
whether the legislature can appropriate
money from the general fund to the pur-
\ poses OF the institutions, /. e., for erect.
ing buildings and making permanent I'm.
provements. Another matter that is sug.
gested is that the emergency board of the
state, which consists of the governor, sec.
rotary of state and state auditor, are EN-.
! powered under a special act to transfer
4 money from one fund to another, and ever
to draw money from the general fund O.
the state in case Of an emergency.
| It is pointed out that If the presen
4 emergency is deemed pressing enough, the
! emergency board might make an appro
priation to tide over the institutions unit
the regular session Of the legislature.