The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-02-09
IDAHO LEGISLATORS
REAFF|RM LOYALTY
PLEDGE LIVES, FORTUNES AND
SACRED HONOR IN CRISIS
OF NATIONS HONOR.
Resolutions Adopted Pledging People
of State viii Stand Squarely Be-
hind President in Controversy
With Germany.

Woodrow Wilson the loyalty of the
people of Idaho and "our lives, our
fortunes and our sacred honor" in
what is termed the most momentous
period" of the nations history.
This action was taken after the leg
islature had been informally notified
of the fact that diplomatic relations
between the United States and Ger
many had been broken, Count Bern
storff, German ambassador in this
country, had been handed his pass
ports and Ambassador Gerard had
been recalled from Berlin.
The following is the concurrent
resolution that was solemnly adopted
by both branches of the legislature
at the morning Session.
Whereas, the government of the
United States of America is now con-
fronting the most momentous period
of its history; and,
Whereas, we are now on the verge
of being drawn into the most appalling
of the worlds wars and,
Whereas, the president of the
United States of America has in his
wisdom deemed it best to sever diplo-
matte relations with the imperial
German government in order that the
sacred honor and integrity of this
great nation shall be preserved;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the legislature of the
state of Idaho, expressing the loyalty
of the people of this commonwealth,
and with the firm reliance on the pro-
lection of Divine Providence, that we
pledge to the president of the United
States our lives, our fortunes and our
sacred honor; and be it further
Resolved, That copy Of this reso-
luton be transmitted by the governor
| of the state of Idaho to the president
of the United States"
The senate killed the house me
mortal to congress urging passage OF
| an amendment to the state constitu
ton giving women the right of fran
chise.
The late county division bill fol
northern Idaho was killed and the
valley county division bill for centra,
Idaho passed.
The anti-alien bill, over which there
threatened to be an international con
troversy, was killed by being in
definitely postponed, and resolution
was adopted to the effect the senate
will take no action that would tend
to embarrass the president of the
| United States in the present crisis.
| There will be introduced in the leg
islature memorial to congress ask
ing for the separation of northern
Idaho from the southern portion. Pc
| titions have been circulated in botf
| the senate and house. Enough mem
bers signed to assure its passage
June II is set as a date in this meas
ure for the holding of convention
at some point to be designated In
the north part Of the state.
At the convention a constitution
| proposed for the new state to be
formed out of northern Idaho will
be adopted, and it will be forwarded
to Washington to accompany the me
mortal before the next session of con
| gress.
Members from the northern and
southern portions Of the state are
active in the secession program. They
say that the north is for separation
and that the panhandle is entitled tc
cut itself off from the south. The
name of Lincoln or a typical Indian
name is to be selected for the pro
posed new state. No capital city has
been picked.
Efforts to remove the state univer
sity from Moscow to southern Idaho
were effectively blocked when the
lower house of the legislature by al
overwhelming vote indefinitely post
poned the joint resolution by FfndleI
of Bear Lake.
The house has passed a bill fixin:
the maxamum rate of interest to b.
charged by money lenders in the stat,
at 10 per cent, passed four bills amend
ing the statutes relating to court pro
cedure, put the stamp of approval OF
brace of senate joint memorials b.
Evans protesting to the federal gov
eminent against the 640-acre home
stead act and passed a bill prohibit
luS dllOIu6yS NoL
victs as to their former records whel
called as witnesses in court.
DR.. C. S. Moody has introduced i
the lower house of the legislature
bill making it compulsory that notice
of applications for marriage license
be posted in public places for 80 day
before being issued. The bill is e1
. pected to prevent Opponents.
Idaho will have a board of irrigs
ton, as do Oregon, California and Gel
tain other western states, if bill il
PRODUCED in the lower house of the les
islature by the committee on irrigs
ton, reservoirs and reclamation BIZ
comes a law.
Provision for the creation of the o.
flee of state mineral inspector is COZ
tanned in a bill introduced in tn
| - No, y T. I,