Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-03-08

ception of the first session of the
legislature the one just closed un-
doubtedly is the most noted. It was
ushered in under a condition of af-
fairs which no other session has wit
messed, and of a kind which was
bound to mean much strife tefore
1t was over. There was much spec
ulation as to what would happen,
and some of it did and much Of it
didn't. But instead of there being
much trouble and bad blood, the
session has closed with those disap-
pointed who were looking for such
condition. The only real fight
which was staged was that on house
bill "A, which provided for practi-
cally new constitution. The league
was pledged to carry out, or at least
to endeavor to carry out, the provi-
sions Of this bill, and it was upon
this proposition that the legislature
was organized and that everything
In the session practically hinged.
Yet it was necessary that the public
institutions be cared for and that
considerable necessary legislation be
enacted. Hence each house deter
mined that all matters which were
not of factional significance would
be given all the consideration Of
ordinary conditions.
Appropriations
There was exceptionally heavy de-
mands for appropriations and the
lot of the legislators was made all
the harder through the fact that the
board of equalization last summer
placed the assessed valuation so low
that 1t was hardly possible to raise
tle necessary money to meet the ordi-
nary demands. However, the leg
islature has gotten through very
we'll under the conditions, though
many Improvements could not be
made as desired.
$181, 900 for Dickinson Normal
Supporters of the Dickinson nor
NAL school had quite a fight to gain
their desired amount for the begin
ming of work on that institution.
There was strong tendency to re-
duce the amount but 1t was saved at
$4,000. Totals for other institu-
tions are as follows: Agricultural
college, $11O,133.85; university,
$247,4O0; Minot normal, $125,14O;
Mayville normal, $4,000; Glendale
normal industrial, s20.750; Wahpe-
ton school of science, $28,50O;
Bottineau school of forestry, $40,-
$40.
Not in Favor of Amendments
The League has adopted the plan
of opposing constitutional amend
ments, and as consequence is turn
ing down all of all kinds. It is the
plan of the league to hold a consti-
tutional convention at least within
two years and they do not favor the
tinkering by small bits. The COM
pulsory hail bill and packing plant,
besides others have been turned
down, as was the terminal elevator
bill, all these which passed the leg
islature two years ago and the
senate this year, and If passed by
the house this year would have been
up to the people. But this is not
the plan, hence these, as we'll as
others have been rejected.
Highway Commission
The Highway commission act has
passed both houses and is now ready
AOI LILO 6OV0IuOI S16udIuIS. ~
will do more for the building of
good roads in a short time than
would otherwise be accomplished in
generations. It has proven popular
in all quarters and will undoubtedly
be approved by Gov. Frazier. Inside
of five years there is no reason why
North Dakota should not have the
best roads in the United States.
Coles Bill Killed
House bill 1856, introduced by
Representative Cole, met with sud
den death in tie senate in the latter
part of the session. This bill pro-
vided that cities might regulate and
fix the rate to be charged by persons
firms and corporations for heat, light
water and telephone service, OF
utility. The concerns in the state
which were hit by this bill got busy
Immediately and though it passed
the house by q big majority, It wal
knocked out in short order in tn
senate.