Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-03-14
MEASURES FAIL

AOAAO
LESS THAN THREE HUNDRED
BILLS PASS LEGISLATURE.
Few of the Principal Reforms Adyo-
cated Prior to Election Become
Laws. Although a Hard Fight Was
Made for Some of Them,
Bismarck, March 1.-THE Tenth
legislative assembly, characterized as
a most remarkable session in many
respects. adjourned late Friday night.
Nearly GOO bills were introduced in
both branches. but out of that number
LIS senate bills and 11G house bills
Will become laws, at least they are up
to the governor, who has already ap-
proved many of them.
The bulk of the work has been done
" US 'he past tHFee weeks. me
much boasted initiative and referen-
dunn, after much amending in both
houses, finally sailed forth from a con.
terence committee and passed the
house and all the votes which could
be mustered for it were ffty-three.
just barely enough to carry it safe
nyyn,, bn frrI,,,1~,4 ~, =.
travelled. 1t provides for the submit
ting of amendments to the constitu-
tlon and that of course has created
terror In the hearts of the ultra prohi-
bltlon forces and there is no doubt but
that candidates for the legislature in
l90s will have to stand squarely on
that platform, because if the people
approve of the initiative and referen-
dunn amendment to the constitution at
the next general election it will have
to pass the next legislature. Under
the measure the question of resubmis-
sion OF the constitutional prohibition
clause will come.
Anti-Pass Bill a Dream.
dAlA-pdSS Ulll, II OI tQ0 meas
ures made so prominent in the insur-
gent platform during the last cam
paign, failed to pass, Notwithstanding
some hard fights on the floors OF both
houses. Bills were introduced in both
houses, but the celebrated bill, No.
%, by Senator Young, ultimately
reached a conference committee, from
which it never emerged. From the
first there were waverings in both
houses and to any trained observer it
could be seen that there were but few
men in both branches who displayed
any great amount of enthusiasm.
Time and time again 1t was stated by
experienced legislators that there was
no crystalized demand for anti-pass
legislation. The insurgents, at the
opening of the assembly, openly stated
that the elimination of passes and
other kinds Of favors alleged to have
been distributed by the railroads was
a public demand. Many members re-
futed the idea and stated that the de-
mand existed only in the minds of the
so called reformers. Probably anti
pass would have drawn more votes if
the members could have been assured
that their passes would have been
good to go home on and that they
would not have been made void imme-
d1ately after the passage of the bill.
Another feature materially Influenced
many members after careful reflection
and that was the imperilling of the
annual excursions to the state agricul-
tural college, which have been an an
nual event for the farmers for the
past nine years and have been very
popular and valuable in promulgating
practical knowledge in the different
branches of agriculture.
Little Railroad Legislation.
The railroads have escaped from the
legislature without much hurt, consid-
ering they we're the target for so much
fire at the beginning. Two measures,
however, the railroad lobbyists de-
clare, will hurt, the 2k-cent fare and
the one, S. F. ZIG, relating to liability
of common carriers to their employees.
Often c%ontributory negligence was
proven against the latter and their
families were unable to ecover. I'm
der the new law if contributory negli-
gence is proven on the part of the
railroads they will be responsible for
their share. Railroad employees con-
slider they have Won a victory in this
law, which they have been waiting
years for.
The assembly has left an excellent
record so far as progressive educa-
tional legislation is concerned and the
enthusiastic school men over the state
can be fairly well satisfied. The school
laws are to be codified. The state SUI
perintendent now can revoke a state
certificate for violation of contract.
County superintendent and superin-
tendents have supervisory control
over the erection of school buildings
in common school districts, insuring
better sanitary and ventilating meth
DDS. The method of taking school
ems has been changed. Common
school districts are to maintain a six
months school or they may not get
t1n efofo on1 tuition Lo,nr vrL.-