The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-08-29
WHAT IS THE MATTER?

What is the matter with Gov
White? Has he lost confidence in
the Legislature, or does he think
the Legislature has lost confidence
in him2 We notice by the Bis
marck Tribune that the governor
now says he wants the assurance
of the cooperation of two-thirds of
the members of the Legislature be-
fore he calls the extra session.
Does the governor fear to trust the
members with the emergency that
is to be met, that he must have
their assurance of support :? Or
can it be that since the meeting Of
the State Board Of Equalization,
I the governor has come to believe
he is without the support Of his
administration?
While tie LEADER does not be-
lieve in this extra session PROPOSE
ton, it does believe that the gov
ernor ought to have as much con-
fdence in the Legislature as he had
last winter. Then he made certain
recommendations in his message to
the Legislature. Among other
things he recommended that the
Legislature make provision for the
increased need of the institutions.
The legislature carried out his rec
concentrations by providing for
bonds, which have been declared
illegal by the Supreme Court. Why
is the governor fearful of the Leg
islature now?
There is considerable opposition
through the state to the calling of
extra session. The Lisbon Free
Press suggests that the bankers of
the state, who have the state per-
manent school funds on deposit,
should come to the relief of the in
stitutions, and avoid the extra ex-
pense. The Free Press says:-
"The question has been pertin-
ently ashed, why don't. the men,
bers Of the boards go to the local
banks or bankers of the city or
county where their particular in
stitution is located, and arrange for
funds to maintain the asylum or
normal school, or whatever it may
be, until the next regular meeting
Of the Legislature?' They would
but have to proceed like duly con-
stituted officers financing a private
enterprise, whose resources were
abundant and whose securities were
the best, but whose treasury was
temporarily ydepleated, asking credit
sufficient for necessary improve
ments and current expenses.
"Do you think there would be
any doubt about their getting the
accommodation at a low rate Of
interest? Nothing that would sa-
vor Of reputation would be coun-
tenanced for a moment by a North
Dakota Legislature of a just indebt-
edness contracted by trustees Of a
public institution. Again the ques-
tion, are our boards Of public insti-
tutions composed of but fair
weather members, +" only capable Of
meeting, auditing and administer
ing the duties Of their respective
positions after the machinery had
been started and properly oiled?
The Free Press thinks not, and that
the assembling Of special session
of the Legislature for the purpose
intended is somewat in the nature
undoubtedly not so intended-of
a reflection upon their ability to
care for the trusts placed in their
hands,"
If this could be done, it would
relieve the existing conditions, but
we do not believe it can be done
under the law. It shows the feel
ing, however, against calling the
Legislature in special session.
But the most remarkable thing
of all is the governors lack of con-
fdence in the members of the
Legislature, so much so that he
must have pledges Of two-thirds of
them that they will do what he
wants them to do before he will
entrust them with what he con-
siders the discharge Of their duty.