The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-02-21
NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE
STEAM ROLLER
USED IN HOUSE

Bismarck. N. D., Feb. 81 - From
the time Representative Martin was
called to the chair Thursday after
noon until the house as a committee
of the whole concluded it's considera-
tion of general orders, there was no
question in the lower branch as to
who was boss
When invited to preside over the
committee of the whole Mr.. Martin
would have shifted the honor to his
democratic colleague. Mr.. Campbell,
but the chair Insisted upon Mr.. Mar
tin, declaring it impossible to keep
a good man down"
The Steam Roller.
Mr.. Martin started out with de-
termination to rule the roost," and
he finished in the same way. House
bill No. Sc, creating a state text book
commission and providing for a uni
form system of text books, was first
considered. The vote was for in
definite postponement, and it appeared
the nays had it, but the reverse was
ruled. Mr.. Husband demanded a divi-
sion, but the chair informed him that
lit has gone by now" and ruled him
out of order
The most fun came when Lambert's s
bin, No. 156, providing for the initia-
tive and referendum as applicable 10
the laws, was considered.
Mr.. Klein moved that the bill be
recommended for Indefinite postpone
ment. Mr.. Lambert moved that Ii be
recommended for passage. The Lam
bert motion was stated, and a point
of order was raised because the two
| motions were directly opposed to each
other. The chair, however, ruled Mr..
Klein's motion out of order, and the
Lambert motion was put.
In spite of the opinion of a majority
regarding the vote by acclamation.
Mr.. Martin ruled that the ayes had it,
| and the bill was recommended for
passage.
There was a division called for, a
| motion was made to reconsider, and
half dozen more demands and sug-
gestiens were made, but the chair, in
the confusion, raped the gavel loudly
and declared everything out of order.
! He refused to recognize cali for
division and stood by his original
ruling.
Mr.. Ployhar again moved to re-
| consider the action, and Mr.. Owens
| followed with a motion that the COM
mittee arise. The latter motion was
put, and the chair ruled that the ayes
| had it. A call for division was
again ignored, and the house was in
/
When the house arose, Mr.. Streeter
moved that the report with reference
to house bill No. 156 be considered
| separately, and the motion was
| seconded by Mr.. Polyhar. The mo-
tion carried, and was so announced
| by Speaker Frame.
| Mr.. Streeter moved that the report
be so amended as to recommend No
l66 for indefinite postponement. Mr
i Owens moved that he report bf
adopted, but his motion was ruled out
| of order.
Mr.. Hendrickson moved that fur
ther consideration of house bill No
| 1856 be indefinitely postponed. The
| ayes appeared to have it. but Mr.
Lambert demanded roll call, it was
granted, and the motion to indefinitely
| postpone further consideration of the
measure carried by vote of 56 ayes,
As nays and 10 absent and not vot-
ing
The Earlier Business.
When the house convened Thursday
| afternoon communication from the
governor brought the information that
he had approved and signed house
bills Nos. IA and 100 and had filed
| them with the secretary of state.
1