The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-02-16
THREE INITIATIVE
AND REFERENDUM
BILLS IN SENATE
All Will Be Considered in 81.
multaneous Committee Of
the Whole
MEDICAL BILL HAS TAKEN
on some: new VITALITY

Of Their Own to Pass ON Qualffica.
tions-Measure Sent Back to Sen.
ate Public Health Committee. (
IN. d. PAULS0N.)
Bismarck, N. D., Feb. 16-Endorse-
ment Of the Republican caucus COM
mittee :. On the initiative and refer
endum has been given to the several
bills reported out favorably from the
senate committee on elections and
election privileges this week. Under
the plan that has been evolved by the
Joint committee on that question, II
carried out during the present and
approved In by the next assembly, the
people Of the state will have an OPP
portunity at the general election in
1914 to. vote on the initiative and ref
being on the applicability of the prin-
ciple to constitutional amendments
only, one to statutory amendments
only, and another referring to both the
statutes and the constitution.
This plan of submitting the propo-
sition in the three different forms
arises from the conflicting interests
that have to do with the question
Those opposed to the principle being
applied to the constitution insisted on
being given an opportunity of voting
for bill that would except the con-
stitution; others preferred to vote for
constitutional amendments but we're
not particularly interested in statu-
tory enactments, while still others
ask for measure that will apply to
both the constitution and the sta
tutes. So that in reporting out the
three bills, all of these claims have
been considered. A..
s. B. No. 153, introduced by Sena-
tor Gibbons of Towner,, relates to-
constitutional amendments -.only,sand
is the one. that has been agreed upon
by the sab-inftiatite Ind referendum
committee. It provides that when: a
petition signed by at least twenty-five
per cent of the total number of legal
voters in each of not less than one
half Of the counties Of the state is
presented to the secretary Of state,
asking for a constitutional amend
ment. such question shall 60 on the
ballot at the next general election
and be voted upon. An: amendment
must be proposed at least six months
before the election. If there is ma
jority then the amendment goes to the
legislative assembly and If that body
passes the same, 1t becomes q part of
the constitution. Rejection Of the
amendment by the legislative assem-
bly, sends 1t back to the people for an
other vote, and II 1t is then passed
upon favorable again. by a majority
Of the voters Of the state. it is to be-
come a part of the constitution.
Inject Oregon Plan
8. B. No 8, introduced by Senator
Bessessen Of Wells, originally apply
4, ing to. both constitution and statutes,
has been amended to make in applica-
BILE to statutes only. It is the Ore
gon plan. pure and simple, as far as
1t goes. A petition Of fifteen per cent
OF the voters Of q majority Of the coun-
ties is required to initiate a measure
and such measure takes precedence
over all other legislation before the
assembly. Failure to act on the meas
ure sends it to the people for q vote
at the next general election. II the
legislative assembly passes the bill,
1t then becomes law, but it Is still
subject to the referendum principle in
that the same percentage Of voters
may require It to be submitted to
vote. The Bessessen bill excepts such
measures as are necessary for the i'm
mediate preservation of public peace,
health or safety. A majority Of the
vote cast is necessary to pass. Ref
erendum petitions must be filed with
in ninety days and are operative
against sections Of bills as we'll as
whole bills, and II directed against
section Of a bill passed by the as
sembly, It does not retard the other
sections Of the measure from becon.-
ing operative. To declare that a bill
10 necessary to immediate public
peace. health or safety, requires a
two-thirds vote Of the assembly and
such measure cannot then be submits
ted under the referendum. plan.
In 8. B. No. 81, introduced by Sen.
ator Plain Of Cavalier county, the
Oregon plan is also followed out and
tho measure is made applicable to
both the constitution and statutes. A
ten per cent petition is necessary to
initiate statutory amendments, with
the same percentage required to refer.
The same percentage Is required for
amendments to the constitution and
practically the same plan is carried
out all the way through.
Medical Fight Stin Unsettled
That there is opposition to the pass
age Of H. B. No. 100, providing for
the control Of the practice of medicine
In the senate, Is evidenced by the &C.
tion taken THIS week In sending the
measure back to the public health
committee Of that body. This move-
ment. 1t is understood, was backed
by those interested in the passage of
the naturapath bill that was introduc-
ed last week by Senator Welo Of Nc
Henry county. and on whose motion