The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1911-03-09

ment, as is that OF giving to the whole
people the right to express their
choice in selecting delegates to the
national convention, which includes
that of national committeeman. These
are but few of the many changes made
relative to our manner and method OF
conventions,
In the matter of educational legis-
lation, much was accomplished of a
wholesome and gratifying character.
The entire system of the school laws
has been reconstructed. The rural
school has at last been recognized in
the name Of State Aid. Under the
bill, $35, 900, will be expended for this,
the school of the people. 1t is but
the beginning and predict that more
and more as men come to know, not
only what constitutes a good system
of education, but how to make it, the
rural and especially the consolidated
school will command and receive
just measure of the states money.
Measures directly affecting our
cities have been passed. One Of
these gives greater control over public
utility corporations by forcing a max
imum rate which will give the cities
more power to say what shall and
what shall not be just rates. This
measure extends to cities governed
both by the commission and council
plan. The recall being given to all
cities where the commission plan is
in operation.
A start has been made in the mat
ter of good roads legislation, and
while the measure Is not a. far reach
ing as 1t should be, still it sounds a
death knell Of the old system Of
going as you please and getting no
where" to road building everywhere
noticeable in our state. Strange as
it may seem, tho bill would and
should have passed much stronger
and better had it not been opposed,
and vigorously, by the farmer mem
bers in the lower house when up for
third reading and final passage. How
4 ever, it is good start and Is here to
stay and grow in breadth, scope ana
efficiency a. the years move on.
Reform is our method Of taxation
is also reality, The efficiency of
this bill was considerably lessened
/ by failure to make a sufficient appro-
4 priation with which to get the quick
est and best possible results. Condi-
tions, however, of the finances of the
state made this, in some degree, nee
essary. However, now that it is a
law, it will necessarily be amended
from time to time until the chaotic
inequalities of our method of taxation
will be reduced to practical work
ing system that will give to the poor
as we'll as the rich fair, square deal :.
1t is big step in the right direction
I Last, but not least, an appropriation
of 100000 for the normal school to
be located at Minot, personally con-
slider this, one of the big things the
legislature accomplished. That in
! stitution win touch IN great degree
and for the better, the lives Of thou
sands of the young people Of this
northwest section of the state. II
should be, and / predict it will be,
within ten years an institution that
will be the pride Of the section Of the
state in which it is located, matter
Of qualification to North Dakotanf
everywhere. Wise and conservative
J development local patriotism and
pride as to the citizens Of this city
and a loyalty to it on the part Of the
one hundred eighty-seven Thousand
people tributary to 1t, must and will
make It what I have above prophesi
ed.
\ The Cowan investigation and i'm
peachment proceedings came with the
binding swiftness Of tropical storm !.
For hours it ragged and roared. Al
times. seemingly dying down, only te
a again burst forth with increased pow
or and fury. 1t swept strong men Of
their feet. It warped and twisted
mems Judgment until the house VA
. storm tossed sea Of turbulent, con
] fiicting and clashing emotions. Anger
hate. bitterness grappled with duty
I Judgment and resolve. Whether jus'
! or unjust, whether right Of wrong
It was the greatest storm Of publk
!, sentiment that over swept legisla
tive body IN this state J. In the mids,
!, Of It all, Cowan stood unmovsd. an