Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-01-27
WAY OF ELEcTlNG COUNTY
"A OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TWO
CENT FARE BILL
RECOMMENDED TO PAss-BILL
LICENSING RAILROAD MEN
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
SENATE LISTENS TO CONTEST
h ARGUMENTS FOR FOUR HOURS
f. AND CASE &
GOES OVER TO TUEsDAY-BILL
TO MAKE klDDER COUNTY
DIG UP PASSES

# The feature of the house session,
Saturday afternoon, was sharp de-
bate during the consideration of
number of bills under general orders.
Bit No. AZ was before the committee
OF the whole, Mr. Iceland in the chair:
The measure is one that has been
given more or less attention by the
papers throughout the state and one
that is favored by the state educa-
td tal association and by the depart
ment of school directors affiliated with
the r association and has been discussed
by different associations Of school
directors in a number OF counties.
5$ The bill is concurrent resolution
to amend section $50 of the constftu-
ton, relating to the election of county
superintendent of Scholastic u1ti-
mate intent is that an educational
board shall be elected in each county,
that board to have the power to
select a county superintendent of
schools for term, not exceeding four
years-the latter is considered. by
many who have given the matter care
full Thought, to be a weak point, that
the term should be for four years.
Mr.. Stevens in long address de-
clared his objection to the change
and spoke Of the sacredness of the
constitution and he contended that
the change aimed at would be tant-
amount to taking away the franchise
not only of male voters but that it
would disfranchise the women-for
the latter could not vote on the pro-
posed amendment He would never
cast vote to take away the suffrage
from any one. He did not believe
that the change would remove the
school superintendship from the arena
OF politics. He contended that giving
suffrage to the women of the state in
school affairs had removed the mat
ter out8of politics. Mr. Stevens went
deeply into constitutional rights and
greatly emphasized their sacredness.
Mr. Dr. Casey took an entirely opposite
view to that entertained by the gentle.
man from Burleigh. He contended
that the purport of the bill was to
place the matter solely in the hands
OF the people-they would choose the
board just as boards of education are
chosen in cities and the latter have
been found to- be successful in the
selection of superintendents of city
| schools. Something better is wanted
in our school laws than we have and
this is a step towards it. . -
Mr.. Streeter contended that 1t was
simply something which was up to the
people and he was willing to trust the
people. The object is to secure a bet
ter condition, to allow the same rule
| as applies to city superintendent.
There was no occasion to 60 outside
the state, but. he knew that it was
| absolutely necessary to go outside the
county for competent material for
superintendent, but that could not
be done at present.
BY unanimous consent State
Superintendent Stockweu we'll adj
dressed the committee of the whole.
In substance Mr.. Stockwell reiterated
what he has said at many of the
school meetings and at gatherings of
school directors He cited a number
of Illustrations in support of the bill.
The management of the state univers-
ity and the agricultural college,
normal schools is wholly vested in a
board Of managers. There is nothing
more vital to the success of the com.
mon schools of the state than to have
the proper material at the head of the
county systems. He had no desire to
take away government from the peo-
pie, the bill did not mean that. He
was decidedly, in favor of a greater
permanency to the office of county
superintendent. The records showed
that there is a much greater progress.
iyeness in counties where there are
fewer changes-he cited Cass and
Wells counties. Where there are
frequent changes there is the least
progressiveness Pennsylvania had a
similar system to that proposed in
the bill. Minnesota was working to-
wards a change and will very likely
pass a measure this year. The only
purpose is to raise the standard of
the schools and that is the attitude
in many states. 5,y. &4
Mr., Pnttz contended that no board
could be elected without there being
two parties, it cannot be avoided.
Mr.. Stockwell reminded Mr.. Buttz
that the proposed board would be
elected at the annual school elections.
Mr.. Buttz thought that to elect the
county superintendent as per the CON