The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-05-01
Judge Alksns Tells Of Bis PItitul
Record In Legislature at
Bismarck
HOW He WOBBLED BOTH Ways
Statements Made From Cold Records
That Every Voter 10 State
Should Read

Should Read
To the Argus-Leader: Much has
been said on the part Of the stall
warts with reference to the attitude
OF Governor Crawford with regard to
the GrossEarnings law when he was
q member Of the territorial council
In 1889. The whole case, however,
has not been laid before the people
and that they may understand it and
have a better idea of the character
of the candidate for United States
senator l have concluded to give
more in detail the facts connected
with the measure.
One OF he strangeeu things hap
pening in connection with this law
Is the fact that on tho very day that
the council unanimously passed
Council Bill No. 2. which repealed
the gross-earnings law, Mr.. Walsh of
North Dakota. recognized as being
identified with the railway interests
OF that section of the territory. intro
duced Council Bill No. 40, which
was in effect the ~re-enactment of the
law that he voted to repeal (Coun-
Gil Journal p. 14l). In saying this l
DO not wish to be understood as in
timating that Mr.. Crawford had any
thing to do with its introduction.
This bill was read the second time
and referred to the committee on
railroads on the 25th day of January,
1889 Council Journal p. 1909; it lay
IN the committee until the 4th day
Of March when it was reported with
the recommendation that it do not
PASS Council Journal p. 691). On the
same day the bill was read the third
time when Mr.. Erickson of Union
moved chat the further considerar
ton Of Council Bill No. 40 be indea-
nicely postponed" Council, Journal
p. 711). The contest on this bill was
so spirited that a call Of the house
was demanded Council Journal p.
712). When a vote was taken upon
the motion of MIR. Erickson it re-
suited in its being lost S to 16, Mr..
Crawford voting with the majority
Council Journal p. 712-13). This in
dicated a wavering attitude. Mr.:
Erickson then moved that the re-
port of the committee on railroads
be adopted. Mr.. Hughes, (the at
torney for the Northern Pacific
moved: "As a substitute to the mo-
ton Of the gentleman from Union
that the report of the committee on
on this substitute motion resulted in
Its being adODted 12 to q. Mr.. Craw.
ford voting in the affirmative. (Coun-
Gil Journal p. 713). This action in
dicated that Mr.. Crawford was a
doubtful proposition. Mr.. Hughes
then offered a certain amendment
offered another which was adopted
Council Juornal p. 714. Mr..
Hughes then offered an amendment
which struck out certain portions of
the bill which was adopted. The
council then took a recess until 8
p. m. Council Journal p. 7l5):
adopted Council Journal p. 7lS). MI.
fered an amendment which was adj
opted. Council Journal p. 71S). Mr..
Crawford then moved another amend
ment which was adopted. Mr.. Err
act by increasing the percentum of
the gross-earning to be paid. This
motion required a direct vote upon
the measure and Mr.. Erickson's am
endment was lost 8 to 10. Mr.. Craw-
ford voting with him. which indicat-
ed that at that time he was inclined
Journal p. 719). Mr.. Mcdonald, up
to this time also friendly, offered an
other amendment which was host
Council Journal p. 719). Mr.. Dol
lard then offered the following amend
ment which proved c~onclusiyely
m meat he % naser ep pos side to the Vicious Enx'4.
"Provided that nothing contained in
the provisions of this act shall be
construed to exempt from taxation
the lands Of any railroad corporation.
outside Of the right Of way and not
used In the ordinary business Of
ment brought On another test and it
that Mr.. crowford voted with Major
Dcilard at this time and the indica-
IONS were that he was still with the
people Council Journal p; 100. Mr..
Cooper then made a motion which
was lost. Then Major Dollard moved
70 insert an act which would subject
the property of railroads and espe-
cially of the real estate owned by
them, to the same mode Of assess
ment n taxation as lands beAon6-
Ing to individuals Council Journal p.
720-26). Mr.. Hughes moved to lay
this equitable amendment on the
table. At this juncture Mr.. Poinde1,
ter undertook to have the Council
adjourn but his motion was lost
Council Journal p. 1850. The call
of the house was then demanded; 10
members we're present. 1t not look
ing we'll for Mr.. Hughes and the Nor
thern Pacific he moved that the
council adjourn. The motion was
lost. Mr.. Erickson then moved that
all persons paired refrain from vot-
ing aud Mr.. Hughes then moved to
lay the motion on the table; which
was carried by a vote of 10 to Z.
Mr.. Crawford hero voted with the
friends. Of the people, which tndkat,
co that he was still true. (Counul
Journal p. 727.. Mr.. Hughes then
moved that the council adjourn
which was lost. He then moved 70
take q recess OF ten minutes, when
....Y.