Grand Forks herald., 1917-01-24
HOUSE MEMBERS, DOMINATED BY BOSSES OF
SECRET CAUCUS, RECOMMEND BILL "a FOR
\ PASSAGE; DMI THROWS BOMB INTO CAMP

designcdly and purposcly left out
OF tho chapter relating to etiuc0-
tion that declaration that the peO-
pic OF tho state stood for patriotism
and morality.
"!And 1t seems To mo that, not
withstanding the suggestion comes
now from INC. and far bc 1t from
anyone and the source OF his in
spiratiOn that, notwithstanding 1t
comes from mo, 1t Is so obviously
correct that such thing should
not be omitted, that this amend.
ment will surely carry.
II say this change in this Sec
tion was made dcsigncdly, and
cannot pass 1t by without making
tho statement that to my mind
those changes represent the maliCi-
Gus cut Of a poisoned dagger, held
I'm the hand of treason, disloyaity
and Righteousness; that the hand
that pcnned those words and de-
libcratcly made that change would
put poison in the wells I'm front OF
his tountry'S armies. and would
lead his little sister to tho brothcl."
Representative Church attempted to
reply by asserting that the present
constitution did not contain these
words. but when advised to read sec
ton 147 of the present constitution he
subsidized.
Representative Frazer asserted that
in House Bill ~, the words Public
Spirit covered the term Patriotism
and the word 'Truthfulness'' covered
morality"
The chairman. then put the motion
on the amendment and it was lost by
the same roar Of noes that has
killed every amendment offered by the
minority.
Battle Ends Quickly.
Representative Peterson, floor lead
er for the secret caucus, moved that
when the committee rise it recon-
mend House Bill IA for passage This
was carried, of course, and was fol-
lowed by motion that the commit
tee arise. Thus the battle was sud-
denly ended. without the majority Of
fering any public arguments for the
various and numerous portions and
sections Of the bill that have brought
s" much criticism, and the minority
getting only the steam roller treat
mcnt for every amendment. no mat
ter how mcritorious.
Bosses Dominate House.
the minority is satisfied, however,
with having shown the absolute DOM
tnation of the house by the secret
caucus bosses.
The bill now goes over to Wednes-
day afternoon. when it will be discuss
ed on order Of third reading and final
passage.
Representative j. +. T. OConnor,
of Grand Forks. gave formal and per-
sonal notice to the leaders Of the ma
jority. including the speaker that
they would he placing themselves in
a position demanding vigorous criN-
c:sm il they attempted to cut of dis
cusslon by gag methods tomorrow, or
before the minority had ample oppor-
tunity to place their views in record,
and added that he would not fail to
do his share of the criticism if debate
was cut off.
Want Quick Action.
Members Of the house, who gather
ed in groups after adjournment, were
quite excited over the possibility Of
the measure being rushed through and
there was a general expression among
the ied-in-the-wool caucus devotees
that this should be done.
We will he criticised anyhow" said
one very prominent leader, "and it
would not be much worse If we do
the whole thing in our own way; it II
results we want. and quick results