The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-01-09
.LEAC UE CAUCUS
SWATS M'BR|DE s
PET RESOLU7
Non-P Partisans Go Unqualifiedly
on Record Against Two
Years Delay
COULD PUT THROUGH OWN
PROGRAM IN THAT TIME
House Organized TO Buck Any
Effort To Revise Except by
Legislature

~SA AA0AS0VNAS
The senate and the house, unlike
Mr.. and Mrs. Spratt, are not to sue
ceed in licking the platter clean at
this session, il one may Judge from
expressions heard at a very indignant
league caucus, composed chiefly OF
house members. which was held at
the Northwest hotel last evening.
The subject under discussion was
Senator M. l.. McBride's concurrent
resolution providing for referendum
vote upon the question of holding a
constitutional convention. This hand
grenade, thrown into the enemy's
trenches by the antiimmediate-revi-
sion forces yesterday afternoon, had
been anticipated by the immediate-re'
visionists, and it Occasioned no great
surprise. 1t did, however, arouse just
as much Indignation as would any an
ticipated Zeppelin raid.
For Revision.
The league caucus last evening, at.
tended by about 100 Noh-partisans,
representing the lague majority in the
house and number Of members Of
the senate minority, went irrevocably
on record in favor of the immediate
revision of the constitution by the
present legislature and the submission
of the revised draft to the people at
special election.
1T is onlySa matter of probably
four amendments at the most" said
ID. C. Coates, general manager Of the
league. last evening. .zshere to- nc
reason why it should be necessary to
delay needed legislation two years to
accomplish this revision. There Is
no disposition not to give the people
every possible opportunity to ex-
press their opinion. IL the revised
draft as submitted should prove un-
satisfactory they. would have the priv
ilege of rejecting it,
"Swat Mcbride Plan."
The leaguers last evening also SOL
emnly agreed to swat the Mcbride
resolution whenever and wherever it
raises it's head. ~
There is no question as to our
ability to stop McBride's concurrent
resolution in the house." said leag-
uer last night From a league stand
point" said conservative senate
member of the organization, there
is nothing to be gained from voting
for McBrides resolution. If we must
wait two years for new constitution,
the leagues program will be to elect
its own majorities in both houses
two years hence and put through its
own constitutional provision pro-
gram. 1t will take no longer, and the
league will getvther credit -:
Partisan leaders said today
their bills had not been definitely de-
cided upon. .%:H ~ Z n--
Any one OF several methods of
naming delegates, may be accepted,
but they will stand firm they say for
their principle that the people have
already declared their approval of the
convention idea, by the, manner in
which they voted for the league pro-
gram in the recent election.
One Plan.
Appointment Of delegates by the
two houses or BY the governor, or
selection of delegates from among the
membership of the two houses are
methods under consideration.
That the Nom Partisan bill will not
be introduced until the latter part of
the week is also indicated. Confer
ences during the next two or three
DAYS will he held to determine defin-
itely the form of the measure, .,
In last nights caucus, Rep. E. f..
Cole, of Fargo, addressed the meet
ing, declaring himself for the leagues
program.
- Woman Suffrage Out ..
Both suffrage measures introduced
by Senator Lindstrom were reported
out favOrably by the committee on wo
man suffrage, of which Lindstrom IL
senator. Senate bill No. IL provides
for limited suffrage without the need
Of amending the constitution. and il
adopted would become effective next
July, giving the fair sex the privilege
Of voting for numerous officers, city,
county state and national not embodied
In the constitution. Bill No. 13 pro.
vides for absolute equality in suffrage
and cannot be adopted except as a con
stitutional amendment This process
Would require four years time, and
in the meanwhile It is Senator Lind
strom's idea that the ladies may be
enjoying their limited franchise and bo
preparing themselves for the sterner
duties of equal suffrage. s
Changes Justices Fees
Senate Bill No. q, introduced BY
Senator Carey, provides a new sched-
ule of Justices fees, increasing some
and reducing some. Bill No. %, also
by Carey, extends the jurisdiction Of
county Justices to include theid entire
judicial district. ; - -'9 ~. ..%N
Senate Bill No. %, by Mclean: Con-
current resolution submitting at next
general election the question making
(Continued on page two.)