Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-02-14

tenn In states where it has been ~
vogue for a decade or more has proyDh
very effective, not only In reducing the
number of incendiary and unknown
fires, but there has been q gradual re-
duction in fire insurance rates.
State Library Commission.
Educators over the state are very
anxious for the passage Of a bill Great
ing a state library commission to fol
low along the lines of similar commits
sions provided for in the laws of TWEEN
ty-five states, including the North
western states. The members of the
commission are to act without COM
p%ensation, but the bill carries with it
an appropriation of $4,000, which is
asked for, so that a trained librarian
can be employed to care for the state
reference. library, the system of travel
ing libraries and assist in the organ
ization and maintenance of a legis-
lative library and reference bureau.
This latter is to be for the assistance
of members in the preparation of
bills and their securing of all possible
information in legislative matters.
In all probability all of the present
laws relating to weights and measures
will be repealed and a former law
reinstated with a few changes, one a
reduction of fees, and there will be
added the yard, foot and inch meas
ures. The inspection is to be in the
hands of the sheriff and deputies and
there is to be an annual inspection.
The Objectionable features have been
eliminated and the senate committee
on ways and means feel they have
framed a measure to which merchants
and business men will take no ex-
ception.
After Foreign Corporations.
Senator Simpson has introduced a
concurrent resolution, the preamble of
which states that the existing consti-
tuition is inadequate to meet the in
creasing demands of the people for
legislation affecting taxation Of the
franchises and other property of for
eign corporations and compelling said
corporations to pay their fair o
ton of taxes, and resolves that an
amendment be submitted providing for
the holding of a constitutional con-
vention In 1909 and that it be submit
ted to the electors at the general cleo
ton of 1908. The resolution aims at
the elimination Of the last sentence
OF section 40 of the constitution,
which definitely prohibits the taxation
OF any foreign corporations, sleeping
car companies, private car lines, etc.
Senator Hanna has introduced a bill
to provide for a board Of grain COM
missioners, the duties of the commits
sion being to visit Minneapolis, Du-
luth and Superior and to report to the
next legislature as to whether it is
feasible or practical to build, buy or
lease a terminal elevator at one of the
points named for the use of the people
of this state. The commission is to
be appointed by the governor and is
to be absolutely non-partisan.
Anent Railroad Legislation.
There are signs that the spirit of
antagonism to the railroads is not as
rampant as it was two weeks ago.
The members have been reminded
that the people do not want to be
placed in the danger of losing we'll
equipped trains, regular schedules on
branch lines, safety of operation and
a general high degree of efficiency.
There is a reversal of opinion in re.
gard to the hitching together of the
2-cent fare proposition and the anti
pass provision and it is believed that
the notifications which will come to
the house from the senate will be
adopted. Then the people, too, don't
want to antagonize the railroad com
panies so that the possible reduction
in freight rates will be h4adered.
One feature of the business of the
house Friday afternoon was precipi-
tated In committee of the whole dur
ing the consideration of house file No.
2, Casey's bill providing for the cleo
ton of United States senators by pop.
ular vote. The bill contains two
pledges, one hat the legislator shall
consider the choice reflected by the
peoples vote at the general election
for candidates for United States sena-
tor without any regard TO the legisla-
tors individual preference. The Sec
ond pledge allows the legislator to
consider he choice of a candidate as
nothing more than a recommendation
which he may wholly disregard if the
reason for So doing seems to be suf-
ficient.
Referred Back to Committee.
The bill was interestingly debated.
Mr.. Stevens attacked it's constitution.
ality, while Mr.. Casey, the author OF
tie bill, stoutly %contended that a SINH
lar measure was the law in some
other states and had withstood at
tack. Speaker Twichell did not like
the bill and was not in favor of its
passage, as it was likely to play into
the hands of the Democrats. 1t was
declared to lie q Democratic measure,
pure and simple.
The bill was referred back to the
committee on elections and privileges
with the request that it be reported
as a part Of the primary election bill.
The second feature Of the session