Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-01-22
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Legislature
AND ITS WORK
Observation-Disclosures

bloAldICk.-~ HIS, ZIG lOuFLeclllu
session of the North Dakota legisla-
tive assembly, If it continues as we'll
as 1t has started out, will prove the
most businesslike session in the his
tory of the state. The atmosphere
was permeated with business right
from the beginning. Economy and
rigid business were the rule from
the first. Governor Hanna Impress
ed the members with the necessity
of much honest effort through his
message and all seemed to be I'M
bued with the thought and inclina-
ton upon arrival. To begin with
there was no adjournment OF a week
as has been the custom. Then the
list of employees was held down.
There has been the least amount OF
liquor used by the legislative at
taches of any session in history
There has been no indication of
drastic legislation and every men,
b.r seems to be getting right down
to brass tacks from the word go"
Matters of taxation and eXpendi-
lures are attracting the attention of
every member; the question of ap-
preparations for the educational in
situations and the manner in which
they are being conducted is being
made study by all, as this has be-
come an issue. A few investiga-
tions have been ordered, but this
will only have a wholesome effect
and will do no harm. Governor
Hanna has practically the unani-
nous support of the legislature and
1t is believed that harmony will con-
tinue throughout the session with
much wise and beneficial legisla-
ton.
Board of Control.
Considerable thought and discus
sion is being given to the advisable
ity of appointing a board of control
for educational institutions as it is
claimed there is not close enough
check on their expenditures. The
matter of enabling the state to raise
the valuation slightly without seri-
Gus results is also a point of deep
consideration. The question of in
ducing immigration is one which is
also attracting considerable atten-
ton, as the state is in need of more
settlers. The advisability of pro-
ceeding with the erection ola ter
minal elevator is hanging in the
balance while other matters such as
q normal school at Dickinson, Great
Ing the office of enforcement COM
missioner. abolishing the death pen
atty, cutting the time of redemption
of mortgaged property to six
months; reduction of interest and
the amendment of insurance laws
and especially the hail insurance
law. arc now under consideration by
both houses
Taking it all round the session
promises to be good one and every
member seems to be imbued with
the idea of producing the most
wholesome legislation possible.
Budget System.
A new and interesting system
which has been adopted by the state,
and which is being tried out this
year for the first time. is the bud
get system. Heretofore each insti-
tuition or department merely had ap-
preparation bills introduced asking
for tho amounts wanted. These
bills were generally passed in good
sized amounts. if not in the whole,
regardless of whether the STATE was
able to raise the amount or not.
This put it up to the governor to
veto many of the appropriations. The
budget system now requires that
every institution or department
must make certified estimate of
what will be needed together with a
report of its income. These are then
ri, k@
bers of the legislature an idea of
what to is needed. and also points
out to them where the cuts can be
made if necessary, which it always
Is. State Auditor Jorgenson has
asked the legislature through the
governor to appoint a committee of
three from each house to confer
with him in order that he may be
able to give them the information
which they desire, there being sew
eral matters which are not quite
clear. This was done and. it is the
belief of all who are acquainted
with the system of conducting mat
ters of state that theb udget system
will prove wonderful improvement
over the old method.
Cut Printing Isill.
There seems to be tendency
toward economy in this session. One
OF the principal points of expendi-
ture which is being watched is that
of printing and this has been cut in
many ways. Probably the biggest
enc of this expense has been the
wholesale printing of bills and jour-
nails for general distribution over
the state. This has been considered
as big waste of money, besides the
postage has always run into the
thousands of dollars. Parties now
desiring copies may receive same py
addressing their member in either
house.
For Better Roads.
A bill has been introduced in the
senate allowing road construction
to he put on contract basis; also
allowing taxpayers to work out their
taxes. This is move in the direc-
ton of better roads and it is claim
ed will prove very acceptable to
many farmers. who could find time
and who would have the means fol
thus paying their taxes.
RaDrnsontativo TOrs0n ne Ruphx