Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-02-15
SENATE MAJORITY
: STILL SITS TIGHT
SMALL PROSPECT OF A SPEEDY
CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION.
House Killed Two.Ccnt Fare Bill
Cole Wants Cash for Soldier
Boys-Other Items.

Bismarck-True to the prediction
of Governor Frazier in his inaugu-
raj address that the constitutional
convention bill would be the most
important matter to come before the
legislature at this time, everything
was sidetracked, practically. during
the consideration of bill Al which
was this measure. And now that
this bill has been disposed of with
the certainty that there is no possi-
Bile chance to get It by or in any way
to revive. the issue in the legislature,
the members Of both houses have
turned to other matters, and while
there has not been much on the sur
face, yet the committees and indi-
vidual members have been busy.
Every day the Leaguers hold
caucus in the auditorium of the
Northwest hotel which is their head
quarters. In the meantime the ma
Jority of the senate is making medi-
tcine and at the same time keeping
both ears on the ground.
The strong majority in the senate
holds holds together solidly on all
factional matters, and it is tacitly
understood that this policy will be
carried out through the entire ses-
sion. The condition had its origin
In the organization Of the senate,
and became confirmed when the
question of calling another constitu-
t1onal convention for the passing of
house bill a. came up. These men
IN the senate who now constitute a
majority of about five are determin-
ed that there shall be no short cut
to constitutional convention,
neither do they intend that Gov.
Frazier shall unseat any of Gov.
Hanna's appointees whose time has
not expired.
The real test came through the
consideration of House Bill a.. and
on other occasions when the govern
or nominated an entire new board of
regents, and when he twice nomin-
ated Frank Packard to succeed him
self as member of the tax commits
sion. When 1t came to voting on
house bill a. the senate not only tn-
definitely postponed it, but put the
clincher on it in order that it might
never get from its secure corner In
both instances when Governor Fra.
zter sent his appOintees of board of
regents to the senate for confirma-
ton. they were returned without
comment. and now that Packard's
name has been presented the second
time 1t is held up. though may be
considered later. 1t is a game of re-
turning like for like. The senate
and the house got by the ears short
~ after the opening of the session.
At one time the senate wanted to
adjourn for a week and was refused
permission by the house. Later the
house made similar request of the
senate and we're likewise refused
However, the senate is not drawing
the line on matters which do not in
volve the League principles or pur-
poses. and such legislation is going
along very smoothly. and the house
Is acting accordingly with measures
of the senate, but senate measures
which smack of anti-league intent
are raped over the head immedi-
ately. Hence. by reason of this con-
dition, there Is little radical legtsla-
ton from either side of the legisla-
ture liable to 30 through. 1t is also
understood the senate will not lis
ten to any proposition from the gov
ernOr to touch the board OF control,
House Tables Iwo-Cent Bill.
The act OF the house. which. 1t
must be remembered, is strongly
Nonpartisan, In killing Staalc Hen
drickson's two-cent railroad fare
bill. has created considerable COM
ment. No one seems to know Just
what was the cause for SO doing,
and in discussing 1t each one draws
his own conclusion. The principal
idea seems to be that the reason is
the same as 1t is for opposing SEN
ate bills which are proposed by the
stand-pat senator's. because 1t was
not of League origin. Hendrickson
is not with the league. and it Is
charged that it is that prejudice
which was at the bottom of it. This
was Hendrickson's pet bill and he is
much chagrined at the outcome. OF
course. there IL chance for recall
ig 1t at a later date, as 1t was mere
ly postponed. and should it be that
It is held up for some reason which
may be disposed OF later. then the
vived.
Killed ke&ent Bill.
House Biil 65. an administration
measure. was killed by heavy ma
| jority In the senate. 1t was Gov.
| Frazier's plan to abolish the board
| Of regents ana create a new board
by making the governor. superin-
tendent of public instruction and
three appointees members of the
new board. only two members Of the
states affairs committee-Morkrid
| and Hamerly-concurred in the mi.
nority report. recommending the
| bill to pass.
Senate's Twins (}oe Through.
The twin bills In the senate. lit
ana l1s got BY the senate with a
good margin. The former provided
for state-owned mills and the latter
for state-owned packing plants. but
| were opposed by the Leaguers be-
cause they claimed the senate ma
FORTY had introduced them Just to
Joke the leaguers. But they got by
and have gone over to the house.
non - Ion Qua vono.M,n.