The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-12-28
LEGISLATORS
TO REMAIN SOBER
Geo. +. Murray Would Impeach Any
Member Found Intoxicated-Sug-
gests Number of Reforms.

| Heretofore when the legislature was
elected by and under control of High
and Special interests, the lobbyists
wrote the bills, steered the measures
thru the legislature, and even put the
excuses into the mouths Of the men,
bers, which were peddled out to the
voters at home as "reasons" for their
votes. But with legislature elected
by the masses, hence under obligation
to all alike, there is need for provis-
ions to aid mmbers in drafting the
bills and steering the Legislative ship.
| Section 48 of the state constitution
gives the legislature ample authority
to make all provisions as we'll as rules
to serve their needs in this respect.
/ suggest that the two houses under
joint resolution or rule provide for
Drafting Committee of say members
for say so days, and whose duty shall
be to draft bills on any subject as may
be requested by the members of either
house. Also require the chairman of
the committee to sit with (near) the
speaker Of the House and give him aid
in parliamentary rules. We have
number of precedents for such COM
mittee in several states, such as Wis
consin, New York, etc. Both the Con-
gress and U. S. Senate have parlia-
mentary aids for the presiding officers.
While each legislative assembly COW
ering period of two years is separate
and distinct from the preceding and
succeeding assemblies (See Secs. 30,
80, So, So, IS, 56) yet expediency has
made it customary for every session to
adopt the rules of the last session and
then make amendments.
Authority of Assembly Rules.
Some questions which arise in the
minds of students of this subject are:
1. What is the source Of authority
for such rules?
2. What is the limit Of the author
|ity?
8. Why not enact the rules into
statutory laws?
To the first. The authority is spec
ifcally delegated in section 49,, state
constitution. With all bodies, whether
civic, political, religious, legislative or
judicial, the right to originate rules
for the preservation of the will of
such assemblies, is coexistant with the
right of assemblages, subject to stat
utory restrictions.
To the second. The authority of the
legislature in making such rules is
limited to the essential needs in expe-
diting, serving, and executing the con-
venienc in all essential actions of the
body as a whole, subdivisions and in
dividuals. (See Secs. AZ, 46, At, 48).
To the third. The legislature makes,
amends and CONSTITUTES its own rules
(See Secs. as, AT, 48). While the stat
utory laws are construed by the
courts. For the legislature to await
the slow process of constructions by
the courts, would delay them in their
duties, hence they should resort to the
enacting of their rules into statutes
only when one session makes provis-
lens for the ensuing session as in pro-
viding for the Budget system of re-
ports of departments needs.
Register the Lobbyists.
Everyone who has read or will take
the time to read the minutes of the
North Dakota Bankers association Of
1913, will confess that "Invisible Gov
eminent" has controlled whole legis-
latures in this state. This is sufficient
proof of the need of this rule. The
lobbyists ought to be required to regis
ter under oath giving their profession,
postoffice address, allowance for ex-
pense and salary, name of company or
persons employing them, names OF
bills they favor and oppose, and their
position on questions which have not
been reduced to bills. A penalty
should be provided.
Fair Play Rule.
House rule 8 and Senate rule 9
should be amended so that whenever
two persons rise to speak, the one
recognized first should speak first and
the other second, except when making
a motion.
Unanimous Consent Rule.
By noting the time saved in House
rules and Is and Senate rules 80, 49,
Al, the Importance Of emphasizing the
Unanimous Consent rule will be SEEN
House rule % and Senate rules %
and 81 should be amended by cor by
unanimous conesnt." In order to be
more decorous Hourse rule 81 should
be amended so that the Speaker would
vacate the chair temporarily thus:
Gan urgent necessity (here he may
state the reason) compels the speaker
to vacate the chair for Che may state
the probable time.) If hear no OBJ
lection shall appoint chairman to
serve during my absence" (After
pausing and hearing no objections):
"Thcn appoint Mr. of - to
serve the pleasure Of the House until
my return"
Rule of Great Economy.
Instead of allowing a bill to bear
the name of the author, have it bear
Mo-, by member of Committee
on Agriculture" or whatever commit