Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-12-24
PROSPECTS.

Persons interested in the woman
suffrage are specializing on the pos
sibility Of action in North Dakota in
voted on the question last Novem-
Der supposed that they were voting
on Il constitutional amendment. This
was not the case. They were voting
on All act of the legislature which, un-
der terms specially provided in the
people at d general election before
becoming a law. The constitution
enulnerates the persons who MAJ
vote. but authorize the legislature to
make provision for cma suffrage,
and to make certain other changes,
but the changes hus undertaken, I'M
der authority of this clause, must be
ratified by a majority of all the votes
cast at the ensuing general election.
The legislature did it's part, but the
voters, by a majority of some 10000
Of the votes cast on this proposition,
rejected the proposed change. The
majority by which the proposition
failed to pass was, of course. consid-
erably larger, as several thousand
persons who voted failed to vote on
this question.
There was at The time. however. a
constitutional amendment pending,
for the last legislature. in addition TO
passing the bill above referred to-,
passed in the customary manner a
constitutional amendment providing
for woman suffrage. This is still to
be acted on. According to law, this
proposed amendment was referred by
the last legislature to the succeeding
one. hence the legislature at the an
preaching session will be called on to
act on the question. It may vote to
refer the question TO the people for
their decision. in which case it will be
voted on in November, 1916. or it may
reject it. which will dispose Of the
subject so far as this legislature is
concerned. If the amendment passes
at this session. 1t will become law on
receiving a majority of all the votes
cast at the general election on this
proposition. regardless Of the total
number Of votes cast.
In case the legislature should re-
ject the amendment the advocates of
the change will still have the oppor-
tunity to force the question to a vote
IN 1916 under the newly adopted in
iuative provision affecting constitu.
tlonal amendments. The procedure
required is. to have filed with the sec
rotary of state not less than sis
months before the general election ne.
titions demanding the submission OF
the question signed by not less thar
20 per cent Of the qualified voters re.
siding in not less than half the coun-
ties Of the state. If this is done the
question must be submitted to a Don.
ular vote at the general election. but
contrary to the practice in the case
OF amendments proposed by the legis.
lature. the amendment initiated b,
petition must have a majority, not OF
al! votes cast on the proposition. bu,
Of all votes cast at the election. as
was the case with the vote last month
IT 1t should receive the required pop
ular vote 1t is then to be submitted tc
the next legislature for ratification
and IL ratified there it becomes a, law
If rejected by the legislature it soet
again to the people at the next cleo.
ton, and 1t must again receive a. ma.
jority Of all the votes cast at that cleo.
ton.
The situation is, then, briefly:
First, as to the pending amendment
If the legislature rejects it it is dis.
posed of. If it passes it, the amend,
ment will be voted on in 1916, an6
may be passed by receiving a major.
My--iof. The. votes-.cast on that, .partic.
ular measure. Otherwise 1t. is.lost.
Second. an amendment may be pro.
pesed by petition. approved At the
next election by a majority Of all the
votes cast, and ratified and made 8
law by the legislature of 1917. Or
Il the legislature fails to approve. i,