Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1909-01-14
so,ros,A. CORRESPONDENCE.
Bismarck. Jan. ls. 1908

Bismarck, Jan. IL, 1909.
Well, the eleventh session OF the
legislative assembly Of the state OF
North Dakota IL now at work. So far,
there hasn't been single happening
Of q sensational order-scarcely
enough excitement to keep the mem
bership awake. The present session
Dids fair to be about the most har-
moni0us that has been held for sew
eral years, although In legislative
bodies something unforeseen is liable
TO come up without warning that will
cause for time an exceeding liveli-
ness.
The senate this year was organized
in thoroughly angelic" manner
the former upper-house factionists
eating from one another's hands as
though that had been their habit for
years. A committee was selected to
distribute the loaves and fishes, and
this usually herculean job was per-
formed in that manner which slang
lists would term dead easy"
In the house there was deadlock
OF day or two in the so-called pro-
gressive faction, the fight for success
In the choice of speaker being be-
tween White OF Trail and Skulason
OF Grand Forks. But a sufficient num-
Der TO control the caucus could not
be secured for either OF the gentle
men named. and choice was finally
made of Usher L. Burdick of Cava
lier. young man who has not been
closely Identified with either faction
The opposing caucus settled upon
George McCrea of Pembina as their
candidate. 1t had been the wish oil
three-fourths Of the members of both
factions that the final choice Of re-
publican candidate for speaker should
be made by general party caucus
composed Of all the republicans of the
house, and not, as was the case two
years ago, by part.
When the general caucus assem-
bled the test vote came on the mo-
ton to vote by ballot for candidates
This was lost by "A to 4O-two mem
bers not voting. Then. as is usually
the case. few went over to the
stronger side and on the final ballot
for speaker. Mr.. Burdick was declared
the nominee of the united republicans
by vote Of 4S to 3s.
Two men could not have been
named the choice of either OF whom
for speaker would have provoked less
antagOnism than McCrea and Bur
dick. The writer served with McCrea
In the '05 session and with Burdicl
in the '07 session. Both were thor
oughly independent in the matter Of
legislation, and both were we'll liked
by the fellow-members. Mr.. Burdick
the speaker. is man we'll equipped
mentally and physically for the office
We say physically" for the reason
that the duties of the position entail
much arduous work. Take, for in
stance. the first week of the session
The speaker is kept up day and night
almost, making up his committees
There is much pulling and hauling t.
secure places on the favorite commit
tees. and by the time he has finished
his strenuous job his ear drums are
usually In bad shape and his legs {
foot or 30 longer from the vigorou.
pulling OF members. 1t is q Job no
often sought by man beyond middl,
age. and 1t requires one who is able
and willing to stand considerable hare
physical and mental labor. TIL,
young speaker OF the eleventh session
is certainly competent to stand til,
fatigue, for he is about as perfect +,
specimen of young American man
hood as one often sees. He is tall
smo0th-shaven, ad-shouldered an,
dark-complexioned. He was tn,
youngest member ("the kid") of tn,
'05 session. and believe he is tn,
youngest OF the present membership
He Is noted athlete, being the sam,
Usher L. Burdfck who was a membe
Of the victorious University of Mime
sofa football team of 1903.
The speaker just finished maxim,
UP his committees, although the,
have not yet been made publ.
through the press. They will be an
nounced today. The Kidder-Emmon
members are assigned as follows:
Tuttle-Federal relations (chair
man, Agriculture. Coal Lands ane
Mining. Warehouses, Grain Gradin,
and Dealing. Joint Committee o,
Public Buildings.
Streeter-Printing (chairman.) An
portionment. Military Affairs. Edu
cation. Supplies and Expenditures
Temperance. Joint Committee o,
Rules.
Az has been announced i'll the DAHL
newspapers. Mr.. futile was given hi
certificate Of election. which is signe,
by Governor Burke. Secretary of Stat
Blaisdell and Attorney General Nc
Cue. This thoroughly disposes o
the contention made by the Herolz
Storey people that the December cleo
ton was unnecessary and illegal. A
matter Of fact 1t would have bee,
necessary to hold the election if i
was known that not vote would b
cast, and the auditors and sheriffs @
the two counties would have bee
subject to penalty had they not don
SO.