Grand Forks herald., 1916-12-29
REVISION OF THE
CONSTITUTION IS
VITAL QUESTION
Lieut.. Governor Kraabel
Refuses to Take Stand
on Affairs.
(By Tom Parker Junkin.)

Bismarck. n. D., Dec. 2s-There
viii be a fight in the senate. That
much is certain. The Non-partisan
league demands that the legislature
90 '.full sled length" in pushing
through its program the leaders out
lined before the election, and to
which have been added the revolu-
tionary proposal of revising the state
constitution, and Of having the revis-
ing done by the legislature. as con-
stitutional convention.
The fact that the new legislature
was elected without hint that 1t
would be called upon to revise the
constitution doesn't hamper leaders
plans in the least. They have an
overwhelming majority in the house
OF sufficient number of holdover
senators to organize the upper body
and control.
But there is where the shoe be-
gins to pinch. Will the senate bow
to the mandate under conditions con-
fronting 1t? Lieutenant Governor
Kraabel arrived late last night, and
Hotel Mckenzie lobby this morning,
he was at once ushered to the league
stronghold on the sixth floor. A
short time later, one Of the league
leaders asserted to news hungry COR
respondents that the lieutenant gov
ernor would enter the Non-partisan
caucus and participate in organiza-
tion under league auspices.
Will Not Confirm Report.
Mr.. Kraabel when seen shortly aft
erward declined to confirm this state
opportunity to size up the situation
intelligently, and wasn't ready to
commit himself to any program.
THE first 1 knew of the constitu-
tional revision scheme was when
read it in the papers" said Mr..
6raabel. Il have not given it any
consideration. and until I have done
so, cannot say where I will stand"
win Senate Stand Pat?
And there is the great issue as far
as the senate is concerned. Will all
btay put" on that issue? Ono who
Is following the developments closely
said he was not satisfied with tho
snap" convention idea. Revision of
the constitution is much more SER
ious thing than the mere holding Of
the next session Of the legislature"
said he. Il am not satisfied but that
ture would not much rather select
men that they would prefer to have
revise the constitution independently.
The constitution is document that
should be so framed that 1t would
stand for a generation. at least,
while laws passed by the legislature
could be rescinded in two years if
they should prove undesirable.
Il am ready to commit the state to
such . program without having peo-
pie say definitely and Enthusiastically
who shall frame that program. 1t
may cost a few thousand dollars
moro to have revision done by a body
selected solely for that purpose, but
1t may cost the state many more
thousand dollars to rectify mistake,
If one should be made under the pro-
posed plan.''
Caucus of Senator'S.
So It Is quite certain there will be
4 caucus Of senator's who are not
absolutely pledged to league program,
in toto. And that probably will mean
heht for the organization Of the
senate.
The Non-partisan caucus will be
held Saturday. The others may not
get together before Monday.
The committee chairmen of the
houses have been selected by the
league leaders. and the preliminary
draft Of the constitutional revision
resolution is complete, but these are
sacred property at present and not