Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-02-02

Attention of Governor John Burke
of North Dakota to the fact that there
is probably need OF investigation into
tho manner of handling the az" ,uEts
;r tho office of the board of school
and university lands is called H. d
resolution passed by the house yester-
day afternoon, introduced by Mr.. Price
of Cass county as substitute for
the Gunderson resolution that was
passed by the senate recently.
The adoption of the resolution
brought to a close one of the inter-
esting tits Of the session In which
charges were made that the investi-
cation into the affairs of the office
vas backed by a motive, and that
motive was very broadly limited al as
being for an increase in the interest
rate on the fund as it is loaned to the
farmers Of the state. 1t was also
claimed that efforts were being made
by certain interests to gain control
of the fund by having it placed for
loan on different basis than is at
present practiced.
Under the substitute resolution pro-
posed by Mr.. Price and adopted. the
objects of the proposed investigation
by a special examiner, whom the gov
ernor is asked to name, are to gain
u ninsight into the business Of the
office and determine whether or not
the system is satisfactory.
Tie resolution is self explanato tory
and follows:
Whereas, we believe in the fullest
measure of publicity in the conduct Of
our public affairs and deeming 1t obi
g1tOry upon us to inform ourselves
and the public as to the business
methC DIS employed and economy prac-
ticsd IN handling the public funds of
this state and the loaning of money
thereon,
"'rherefore. be it resolved that The
house of representatives, the senate
coacurring, request that the governor
OF this state in accordance with Sec
ton 149 of the Revised Codes of North
Dakota, copy of which is her.tC at
1ached. that he select special tx
aminer as provided for in said Sec
ton to examine the books and &C.
counts of the said board of university
and school lands. that said examiner,
through the governor, shall give re:
port in full to the next. or thirteenth
legislative assembly on the following
points:
The amounts invested in different
securities with the rate of interest.
'Thc amount OF matured securities
aid investments that have not been
r;rid.
"'rle amount of past due INTEREST.
Render an opinion as to the meth
dds Used in purchasing securities and
Investments.
Suggest such amendments to the
present laws governing or relating 10
the permanent funds of the public
schools and state educational institu-
tons as the governor may deem wise.
ITO make any and all reports or
sugge tions that may in his opinion
be considered beneficial and proper
Section 149 of the revised codes
RI 1905, attention to which is called
ny M. Price in the resolution, fol-
lows:
Special state examiner. The gov
erncr may. at such times as he may
c consider it for the best interests of
the state, appoint special state ex-
aminer to examine any of the state
institutions or public offices. Such
special state examiner shall have all
the powers and authorities that the
state examiner now has in making
such examinations, and shall also ex-
anime into and report upon such other
matters connected with the state in
stitutions and public offices as the
governor may direct. He shall re-
ceivve as compensation for such serv-
ic>s the sum of $40 per day for the
time actually employed upon such ex-
anina' ions, and his actual travelling
expenses. to be paid upon vouchers
approved by the governor. in the same
manner as state officers salaries are
now paid
When the resolution came up for
colside: alton as it had been adopted
in the senate and recommended by a
of the state affairs commit
tee of the house, Mr.. Sorlie of Trail
arose and moved that it be not con-
in. Supporting his motion he
declared that there was feature of
The resolution with which he was
not very favorably impressed, that be-
ing with relation to the handling of
he interest. He felt that the pres
ent rate of 5 per cent granted to the
farmers on frs mortgage loans should
not be disturbed and for that reason
vas against the resolution.
M. Price opposed this motion and
;ontended that the resolution was not
'0r tho n,,rnneo az atom nfinu IN co.