The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1915-01-28
rep. R. A. LATHROP
WRITES news.
Interesting Comments on
Important Doings of
the Legislature.
Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 10, 1915.

l do not know that you will be inter-
ested in hearing from Bismarck, (not
said SOY, but will assume that
you will, and take q chance.
Two weeks of the actual session has
passed, in addition to the preliminary
few days of electing the Speaker, which
election al interesting, and resulted
we'll, I think, for the business program
OF the Legislature. Mr.. Hanson makes
q very good presiding officer. fair to
ell in his rulings, and standing for
daylight" proceedings in legislation,
and his election was accomplished in
the open, without barter and trade in
legislation or in appointments.
The whole campaign was an inter-
esting study in human nature-to see
the divergent views brought out, and
watch the selfish motives in some
cases, and the usual contingent of a
few in every body of men who are look
ing for the band wagon" There
seems to be an almost universal dispo-
sition to keep the work up, and not al
low it to pile up, and all the commit
tees are holding meetings regularly,
the Important ones every day, and are
working under the revised rules adop.
ted at the beginning of the session,
that they must report back in seven
days on bills, unless granted an ex-
tension Of time for some special rea-
son, and no bills introduced after the
thirty-ffth day without the consent OF
three-fourths of the house in which in
troduced. Nearly every member of the
committees is present at meetings. If
there is a blockade at the last end, we
feel quite sure it will not be the fault
of the House.
Our delegation were treated very
nicely as to committee assignments
that Is, if plenty of work constitutes a
rood appointment, Mr. Baldwin be-
ing on Judiciary, Tax and Tax Laws,
chairman of Rules committee, in addi-
tion to minor appointments; Mr.. Eyer
son on Temperance and several other
good committees, and the writer on
State Affairs, Tax and Tax Laws,
chairman Public Health, Apportion-
ment, and one minor committee.
About two.thirds of the bills die in
committees, and half the remainder
are amended. The writer is not at.
tempting to make a record in intro
ducing q large number OF bills, and
those introduced, as a rule, will be to
correct some defect or wrong principle
n existing laws, that is, of course, as
I see them, which is not saying that
the Legislature may see them in the
same light. So far have introduced
one concurrent resolution for a sub
committee to investigate the financial
affairs of the state with a view of in
telligent and fair apportionment of the
funds, and as only one side of this has
been brought out in the papers,, I am
sending the resolution draft. This has
passed both houses. One bill was to
strengthen the enforcement of law as
applied to the wholesale signing of fc-
titious names in receipt for "booze,"
which was asked by the Enforcement
League, and which has now passed the
House. One bill to reduce the l24 per
cent interest rate. which applies on
foreclosure of real estate mortgages
during the year of redemption, SO that
it will not put a premium on foreclos-
ures by allowing a very high rate, and
this is not usually taken advantage OF
by mortgages, but at times it is by
some loaner who is merely out for all
he can squeeze from his customer.
This bill is reported out Of the com
mittee favorably, but has not passed
the House yet. The only other bill is
to provide systematic aid to mothers
who are compelled to support depend.
ent children, instead of the Shit and
miss" plan, or what is commonly
known as "'Mothers' Pension Law
This has not been acted on by the
committee yet. There are some eight.
cen or twenty states that have adopted
a similar plan, with remarkable re.
suits.
Rather think we shall have about
four days. recess the latter part o1
next week. There is talk of this, bu,
OF course do not know positively. Il
so, | will be able to get home a few
days possibly, and shall be glad tc
see the home folks and be able to re.
ceive the kicks first hand.
With-regards, yours sincerely,
r. A. LATHROP.
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