The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-02-14
CHARGE GRAFT IN
PRESENT SYSTEM
Davis Marriage Bill Fails
Cigarette Measure, Passed,
Goes Back to Committee.
%. - ~. ~. -. .F ="
HOUSE IN STIR
OVER RESOLUTION
FRAMES Statement Lends Interest tn
Situation-Approve Divet's Plan Al.
FRAMES Statement Lends Interest to
SituatiOn-.Approve Divct's Plan Al.
lowing Candidates Right to Make
Certain Contributions.
Chimes special Service

crimes Special Service)
bismarck. N. D.. Feb. lathe high
rate of premiums asked of counties
for bonding their county officers the
past year has caused the state senate
OF North Dakota to pass a law that
the state shall conduct a bonding de-
partment of it's own under the juris-
dlctton of the insurance commissioner
and after considerable discussion and
considerable statistics were read the
bill passed the senate Thursday after
noon by a vote of 4S ayes and nos.
The bill was introduced by Senator
Ellingson, and was known as senate
bill 1856. The original bill provided
that the bonding department should
examiner, but after the bill had been
referred to the committee on ways and
means of which Senator Elken is
chairman, an entirely new bill was
CONSTRUCTED.
When the bill was placed on Its
third reading Senator Talcott stated
he was not sure as to what would be
the outcome to the taxpayers should
the state decide to enter into the
bonding business, and for the sake of
getting all the information possible
he thought the measure should be
Thoroughly discussed by the members
of the upper body Of the legislature.
Rates Same in All Counties.
Senator Ellingson, author of the Or
tgtnal measure, was prepared for the
occasion. and he read information that
he had received from thirty-three
counties over the state. and quoted the
difference in the rate for premiums
that in the past year the rate had
varied from 36 to 78 cents a hundred
He had found that the rate charged
the last year was practically the same
In every county of the state. and II
appeared to him that the bonding
companies had entered, into q com.
bination and as result the counties
were being charged excessively. His
figures showed that on an average II
cost each county the past year $s1e
for bonds. and an annual income OF
$56. 900. while all the defalcations the
past six years the bonding companies
had been required to make good was
$4,000 In Stark county. $4,000 in Cass
county, and $4,000 in Rolette, total
of only $4,000.
Present System Monumental Graft.
Senator Vail said that he agreed
with Senator Talcott that the matter
OF the state entering into the bonding
business would mean an innovation.
but the bill had been thoroughly con-
sidered by the committee from every
standpoint. and he considered the
present bond system one of monumen-
tai graft. and as a member Of that
committee he could not see how the
state could go wrong.
Senator Overson snid he had been
with the committee when the bill was
considered, and had heard Attorney
Divet, who Ia member Of the house.
talk on the merits Of the bill. and he
thought 1t would be a good thing II
the whole senate could hear Mr.. Divet.
and ne offered motion to that effect.
Senator Talcott wanted to make the
bill a special order for $3.50 and give
Mr.. Divet chance to appear before
tho senate and explain the hill Sena-
tor Ellingson and Senator Plain
thought that was not necessary. and
President Kraabel ruled the motion
out Of order.
Saving OF Thousands.
Senator Putnam thought the senate