Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-04-30
Judge Alkens Tells Of nis Pliiful
Record In Legislature at
Bismarck
HOW He WOBBLED BOTH WAYS
Statements Made From Cold Records
That Every Voter in State
Should Read

OuUulu h60Q
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 GrosssEarnings law when he was
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 the strangesr 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 which repealed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. 14D. In saying this
Go not wish to be understood as in
timating that Mr.. Crawford had any
thing to do with it's 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. 1907; it lay
in the committee until the 4th day
or March when it was reported with
the recommendation that it do not
pass Council Journal p. 500. On the
same day the bill was read the third
time when Mr.. Erickson of Union
moved that the further considera-
ton of Council Bill No. 140 be indefi-
nicely postponed" Council Journal
p. 71D. The contest on this bill was
SO spirited that call of the house
was demanded Council Journal D.
7l2). When vote was taken upon
the motion of Mr.. Erickson it re-
suited in its being lost to 16, Mr..
Crawford voting with the majority
Council Journal p. 1918. This in
dicated a wavering attitude. Mr..
Erickson then moved that the re-
port Of the committee on railroads
be adopted. Mr.. Hughes, 1.-THE at
torney for the Northern Pacific)
moved: LAS substitute to the mo-
ton Of the gentleman from Union
that the report of the committee on
railroads be not adopted" The vote
ca1hc if,,fN
It's being adopted IL to 9, Mr.. Craw-
ford voting In the affirmative. (Coun-
Dictated that Mr.. Crawford was
doubtful proposition. Mr.. Hughes
then offered certain amendment
which was carried. Mr.. Pointdexter
offered another which was adopted
Hughes then offered an amendment emit
which struck out certain portions Of
the bill which was adopted. The
council then took a recess until s
p. m. Council Journal p. 715).
In the evening Mr.. Crawford offer
fered an amendment which was
adopted Council Journal p. 71S). Mr..
opted Council Journal p. 71S). MI.
Crawford then moved another amend
ment which was adopted. Mr.. Err
icksOn then undertook to amend the
act by increasing the percentum of
the gross-earning to be paid. This
motion required direct vote upon
the measure aud 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
to be friendly to the people Council
Journal p. 719). Mr. Mcdonald, up
to this time also friendly. offered an
other amendment which was lost
Council Journal p. 719). Mr.. Dol
lard then offered the following amend
that he was opposed to the vicious
measure under Consideration. to-wit:
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
railroads" This proposed amend
was lost to 10. It Is to be noted
that Mr.. crowford voted with Major
DcIlard at this time and the indica.
tions 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
to strike out the enacting clause and
to 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 and taxation as lands belong
ing to individuals Council Journal p.
720-26). Mr.. Hughes moved to lay
this equitable amendment on the
table. At this juncture Mr.. Poindex--
ter undertook to have the Council
adjourn but his motion was lost.
Council Journal p. 726).s The call
OF the house was then demanded: 10
members were present. 1t not look
Ing well for Mr. Hughes and the Nor
ehern Pacific he moved that the
council adjourn. The motion was
lost Mr.. Erickson then moved that
ali persons paired refrain from vot-
ing and Mr.. Hughes then moved to
lay the motion on the table. which
was carried BY vote Of 10 to Z.
Mr. Crawford here voted with the
friends Of the people, which lndicat-
% that Re was still true. Council
Journal p.. 727.. Mr.. Hughes then
moved that the council adjourn
which was lost He then moved to
lake = recess Of ten minutes, which