The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-14
Would Give Governor Power
to Administer State Land
Board Affairs.
CONSTITUTION WOULD
BE VIOLATED--KANE
Junod Bill Aims to Restore
Administration to State
Land Board.

Helena, Feb. 1S.-(Special.A- Mime
Republican senators voted with the
Democrats this morning to give the
lone Democratic member of the board,
Governor Stewart. the power OF ad-
ministering the affairs of the state
land office, instead of to the state
land board, composed OF the recently
elected Republican state officials.
Here are the Republicans who voted
with the Democratic minority TO leave
all appointments in the hands of the
Democratic governor and to violate.
as charged by senator Kane tho
plain mandates of the constitutions"
Dwight, Edwards. Gnosc. Kinney. Nc
Cone, Mershon. Smith, Wiliett and
Williams.
The bill, S. u. l6s, was introduced
by Jnnod. who asked that 1t be re-
fcrred to the public lands committee.
The lieutenant governor, however re-
ferred it to the judiciary and this pre-
ciptated the fireworks
Senator Junod. when he made the
motion, knew fun well that his bill
would not fare well ut the hands of
tho same committee that had already
faNorably reported the house bills
which clipped the state land board of
its power and conferred it on the gov
ernor, giving the latter fun authority
to appoint more Democratic office
board of practically all authority In
the administration of the trust spc-
officially imposed upon them by the
provisions of the constitution.
Edwards Opposes.
Edwards opposed the motion upon
the grounds that such motions retard-
ed the work of the senate.
Junod referred to the fact he was
aware of tho custom that permitted
the president to refer bills to stand
ing committees, and referring bills to
n certain committee upon the request
Of a member Then he referred to
tiit nltIli VI MS blil, W Inc Iatt lH1t
it was designed to carry out the plain
provisions OF the constitution vesting
the control of the state lands In the
hands of the state land board and not
in the hands of one particular member.
He said the bill was designed to cure
the legislation enacted earlier In the
session which was acted uron hastily
and without mature consideration.
Edwards replied, stating the nur-
pose of the bills already enacted was
to have ono point toward which the
people could look for responsibility.
lie wanted to know what Il few paitry
offices were compared with having
this responsibility definitely fixed.
violates Constitution"
Kane retortcd that unfortunately
the constitution plainly and definitely
placed the responsibility. and added it
was not just nor fair to make the
members. of the state land board re-
sponsible on their official bonds and
then take away the responsibility for
which they were liable.
Rurla said 1t was merely n question
of sustaining the chair, and moved the
previous question. The motion pre-
vailed and the vote REQUIRED on Ju-
mods motion. 1t was lost. IA to 90.
Ayes:' Amin, Brewer, E.llingson.
Haley. Heron, Junod, Kane, Larson.
Meadora Roberts, Slayton, Stevens,
Taylor.
Noes: Arnold Burla, Clark. Dwight.
Edwards. Galway, Gnose. iiealy, Ho-
gan, Hurd. Kinney, Lane, McConc.
Mrrshon, Morris, Muffly. O'Shca.
Parker. smith, Whitcside. Willott.
williams
Absent and not voting: Ruringamc