The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-02-08
EVERETT MEASURE FAVORED
Direct Primary Bill Passed BY Re-
publican Senator'S.

Direct Primary Bill Passed BY Re-
publican Senator'S.
HELENA, Feb. by q strict party
vote the senate today passed the so.
called Iowa primary measure, and af-
ter rather determined struggle in
committee OF the whole, recommended
for passage the George reapportion.
ment bill, which uses 1900 popul alton
as the basis for representation 10 the
lower house.
When the committee OF the whole
was considering the reapportionment
bill, which was introduced by Senator
George, it was supported by Senators
George, Meyer and Everett, and other
members in speeches in its half, and
was opposed by Senator Selway and
Sen ator Whi.eside. O.her senators
voted against the bill, but did not
speak against it.
Senator Selway opposed the bill on
the ground that some of the counties,
particu!a ariy Chouteau county, might
be divided into two or more counties
and that the representation provided
for in this bill, which is one represen.
tative for 4,S00 people, would then not
be applicable. He quoted Chouteau
county, as there are propositions up
to divide Chouteau into four counties
and If each Of them got a representa- a.
tive, the basis Of apportionment would
not be representative.
To this Senator George replied tha
the bill would go over to the house
and If bills crea,ing counties were
passed in the house. the representa-
tion provided for by the bill would be
changed to agree with their popula-
ton.
Sena, Everett also spoke on the
bill. He said: III hope that We won't
jockey this bill any longer, but will
push it through" He said that the
arguments against the bill were not OF
any merit. Many counties had not
grown much and consequently would
not get any more representatives, but,
on the other hand, many other coun-
ties had grown very largely, but they
were not now properly represented.
1t had remained for Montana, be
said, to overthrow the constitutions al
provision giving the people just repre-
sentation in the law making body.
Some counties had been very griev.
iously wronged and had been prevent
ed from getting proper representation
| The constitution should have provid
ed for an autOm attic increase in repre-
sentation as population grew. The
representation in the legislator wouli
fail in their duty and violate theil
oaths unless they passed bill giving
a just reapportionment to the differen
counties. There was no other legisla
tion of equal Importance with this.
When the committee of tn, whole
took up the substitute for S. B. No
80, relating to the creation of nev
counties, Larson offered q mum Der O
amendments, which were Withdrawn
however, when Everett announced tha
he would present one covering all sucl
points. This he did. It elimina ate
the population qualification altogether
and Is based upon an assessed valua
tion of $1,000, 600. The amendmen
prevailed. After adopting anothe
amendment that new county mus
have at least eight hundred equar
miles of surveyed lands, the bill wa
ready for disposition, and on motion
of Everett it was recommended TO
passage.
Among the bills introduced in th
house today was one by Whaley relat
ing to deposit and control of publ
money in the possession of count
treasurers, to provide for the paymeu
OF interest on public money, and TO
the furnishing of official bonds by sue
officers.