The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1917-02-23
Sp0ok Of Bill A
Has IaWlcSS Plan
Would Pass Bunch Of Legislation
Most Radical in the Union IL Not
Closely Watched
LAWS AMENDED AT THE POLLS
Representative Stair Introduced for
the Third Time an Amendment
Covering Bill "a

(The Grand Forks Herald Publish
es the following under a Bismarck
head)
Bismarck, N. d., Feb. 17.-The ghost
of house bill "A stalks the corridors
in the capitol. Like the ghost Of
Hamlet's father it comes forth with
regularity and it slides along so quiet
ly it is scarcely noticed. A sonorous
yet sepulchral voice is heard breath
ing swiftly the words that announce
a presence but giving no intimation
of the true character of the presence.
And Hamlet sits grimly in his seat
and smiles.
The presence came again yesterday.
The voice was heard halting and fall
tering at times as though unacquaint-
ed with it's purpose or purport
And Hamlet sat grimly in his seat
and smiled.
The voice faltered. 1t may have
been unfamiliar with the terms and
the words may be so. But it con-
tinued "for the amendment of the
constitution of the state of North Da-
kota to provide reserved powers and
authority over legislation and amend
ment of the constitution by the people
directly at the polls"
The ghost has taken on even more
of an arrogant, autocratic bearing
than the substance it now represents,
for this concurrent resolution is an
even more rabid socialistic proposal
of the initiative and referendum gov
ernment than has ever been proposed
in any state in the union.
Here is what the voice proclaimed.
''The people hereby reserve to them
selves the direct power, first, to pro-
pose laws, legislative measures, acts,
resolves, and amendments to the con-
stitution, and to enact, approve or re-
ject the same at the polls, by a ma
jority of those voting thereon, inde-
pendent and regardless of, and not
withstanding the legislative assemb-
ly, the veto, or annullment power, of
any state official or court; and Sec
ond, at their own opinion and in the
same or like manner, to order or pc.
tition submission to them, and to en-
act, reenact, approve and confirm, or
reject, annual and repeal at the polls,
any act, resolve or other legislative
measure, item, section, part or parts
Of any such as are referred, submit
ted to, proposed, enacted or rejected
by the legislative assembly, vetoed or
annulled by any state official or court.
Laws shall be enacted, making pro-
vision for the exercise and execution
of the reserved powers hereunder,
but until hereafter specially provided
for such powers shall be exercised
and executed under and in accordance
with the provisions of law plainly ap-
plicable thereto; which law or laws
shall not be amended or repealed ex-
cept by majority of the electors
voting therein at the polls"
In other words. 1--WE care not for
legislation, nor for courts, nor for the
matters of law, nor for those of the
time-honored, popular chosen ex-
ecutive officers and powers of the
state. We are the committee restor-
ed, the Renaissance of the terrorist.
Neither law, nor custom, nor prece-
dent shall stay us. We demand that
all things ye have shall be given unto
us, for we are the people," :. :;
1--WE dare you to pause and think
what the state would be without the
laws, and the constitution and the
protection these have given to the
rights of humanity, and to property
and to liberty, and to happiness and
to progress. We are the people and
we shall rule as we please" sss !.
And Hamlet sits grimly in his seat.
and smiles. Il. s&s s%:,y5 s1 lid "a
This is the third amendment cover
ing the high spots Of bill forty-four,s
Representative Stair has introduced.
w. B. McVean, representing the
Arrow Company Of schaalot, Mich.
received another order for q stallion
to be shipped to Washburn: He re-
Gently sold one to Mr.. Tjenstrom
costing $2250. This company has
sold between so and 60 stations