The Dickinson press., 1909-01-09
HoNoRED

Elected President Pro Tenn of
North Dakota Senate. Will
Take Active Part in Sessions.
Legislative Doings.
The eleventh session of the North
Dakota legislature convened at the state
capitol in Bismarck on Tuesday. At
that time organization in both branches
was perfected and the session is now
well underway.
Stark county members of both senate
and house have been well recognized in
making up the different committees and
in the organization and it looks as
though they were to have an important
part in the proceedings of the session.
Senator Simpson is the third ranking
senator and as such will be one of the
prominent members of that body.
When the senate came to order on
Tuesday morning, Senator Simpson wat
in the chair as president pro TEN. and
ably performed his duties.
In the preliminary stating of legisla-
tive officials. Stark county was we'll
represented. especially as to the selec-
ton of stenographers. Two Dickinson
ladies act in that capacity, Misses
Catherine Coleman and Cora Simpson in
the senate. Miss Emma Coleman from
Burleigh. a former Dickinson girl, has a
similar position in the house.
1t was expected that Senator Simpson
would be selected as chairman of the
judiciary committee. the most impor-
tant appointment in the legislature.
However, Senator Pierce of Ransom
county and Senator Simpson of Stark
were both supported by members of the
senate for this place and any possible
feeling was avoided by an agreement
of the committee upon Sharpe of LaMoure
county for the place. Sharpe ranks both
of the other members in time of service
in the senate and upon the committee
and was entitled to the place by right
of seniority and his election disposed
of this matter happily. Senator Simp-
son was chosen as president pro TEN of
the senate. Senator LaMoure will be
chairman of the committee on %appropria-
tions. a position he has held for a num-
Der of terms and where his knowledge
of the finances of the state makes him
! an especially valuable member.
In the House caucus there was a
spirited contest over the selection of
speaker, George A. McCrea of Pembina
and U. L. Burdick of Cavalier were both
candidates and the latter was the choice
by a vote of 4S to 80. All of the Stark
county representatives. Baker, Senoul
and Evans. voted for McCrea.
tits interesting to note that this is
the second time that a Stark county
senator has been president pro ten Of
the senate. for in 1899 A. C. McGillivray
had that honor.
When the senate was called to ordel
Tuesday, Senator A. L. Martin of Bill
lings county was unable to be in his sea,
being confined to his room with a sever,
attack of the grip. He was sworn in a
his apartments by Judge Moran.
Senator Simpson was made a membe
of the committee from the senate t.
wait on the house and inform them tina
the senate was organized. Mr.. Simpson
also introduced a resolution extendin,
to Senator H. c.. Hansborough, who il
ill at Minneapolis. the sympathy o
the senate and wishes for q speedy re
covery.
In the house Representative Baker wa
made a member of the committee OF
rules. Mr.. Baker was also appointe.
a member of the committee to netify
the state officers that the joint session
was ready to hear the governors mes
sage.
On Wednesday, the governors messag
was read. 1t contains a number of in
teresting recommendations. He advo
Gates the amendment of the primary Law
so that each party could nominate
candidate. the one receiving the highes
vote at the general election to be chosel
senator by the legislature, regardless Q
politics. The fact that the new coun
ties, organized last year, Hettinger
Adams, Bowman. Dunn are withou
representation in the legislature re
ceived the attention of the governor, VIII
pointed out a reapportionment of tn
legislative districts.
An amendment was urged OF the see'
wheat law, giving aid to farmers VIII
lost crops by hail. Governor Burke be
lieves the law should include aid to til
new immigrants coming to the state
settle. 1t will simply be a loan to til
settler to purchase seed for anothe
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