Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-01-11
Activities at
the Capital
LAWMAKERS
NOW AT WORK
N. D, LEGISLATIVE SESSION SUB.
JEcT OF GREAT INTEREST.
Nonpartisan League Controls lower
House-Governors' Messages Are
Received,

Rismarck-MOre tnan usual III.
terest has centered about this ses-
sion of the legislature, and it has been
many years since there was SO much
speculation as to what Will De the OUT
come.
Never in the history Of the state
has a condition approached the pres-
emit one. This is due to the sweeping
result of the recent election, whereby
it was thought the Nonpartisan league
had gained control Of both houses as
well as almost the entire administra-
ton. w.
The house is overwhelmingly Non
partisan and that faction organized
that wing. But it was in the senate
where the trouble brewed. The Nom
partisan faction claimed slight ma
those outside the league-satd nothing
and merely sawed wood. Day and
night the league organization labored
with them without results. The day
Of converting arrived with the reg
ulars" in the lead in the senate. by q
majority Of two.
w. J. Prater. treasurer OF Burlelgn
county, and q prominent league man.
was, however, made secretary OF the
senate. The regulars secured contro,
Of the employment committee ana
placed their friends In most OF the
places.
public Speculates on Results.
Just how far this lack Of major
ity in the senate will block the pro-
ceedings Of the Nonpartisans is mat
ter for development. The most talked
of issue is that Of a constitutional con-
vention, in order that the Nonpartisan
platform which favors state-owned
mills. terminal elevators. packing
houses cold storage plants. hail In
surance. no assessment Of farm inn
provements. etc.. might be carried out,
it being necessary to change the con
these. II the regulars in the senate
stand as q unit this cannot be accom-
plished. Gov. Frazier recommends
this movement, but there is little II
any hope for 1t.
On Tuesday the legislature met and
after appointing the several commit
tees for organization, adjourned to
Wednesday afternoon to give the
committees chance to do their work
On Wednesday afternoon the SEN
ate adjourned to the house where in
ministering Of the oath TO Governor
Frazier and listened to the messages
Of both the outgoing and incoming
governors.
Gov. Hanna's Message.
Gov. Hanna's message was quite
lengthy. Prefacing his address with q
few appropriate remarks he took up
the matter Of the states finances.
This was entered into in considerable
detail, showing that the state is In
good condition. He showed whers
the states bonded debt was 1897 200
four years ago, while today It is $751;
mn mr. q roducfion ~ Sk7H am
He called attention to the budget
committee. the board Of control and
the board Of regents and commended
their creation and the record they had
made.
He discussed the terminal elevator
question and reviewed the history Of
the question in this state. The trend
Of the governors opinion on this sub
ject Is that it is impracticable.
roads the governor practically voiced
the same sentiment. and recommended
that the automobile license money
should be used for meeting the ex-
pense when accepting the govern
ment's aid for good roads.
The governor suggested an improve
ment in the primary system which
practically returns to the convention
system and prohibiting the unit rule.
In discussing the question Of rural
credits Governor Hanna called atten-
ton to the present system of the
state loaning money on farm lands.
He stated that when all the present
school lands are sold there will be
between sixty and seventy-five mil.
lions Of dollars to loan. He claimed
that this would practically make the
rural credit plan unnecessary.
He called attention to the fact that
there was an extensive gas field in
southwestern North Dakota, and prob
ably considerable oil. He advised that
the state spend a reasonable amount
In ascertaining whether there is oil
underlying state lands.
Recommends Legislation.
Under the head Of Legislation"
Governor Hanna made the following
suggestions:
That the membership Of the house
and senate be reduced.
That the legislature meet once in
four years instead Of biennially.
That county and state officials be
elected for four years. and that the
governor hold but one term.
A state agent to push clay and lig-
mite ond other resources.
Reasonable appropriation for immi-
grafton.
The minimum capital stock Of state
banks to be $4,000.
Some provision for an orphans
home.
State officials should take office in
odd-numbered years and the legisla-
ture to convene in even-numbered
years.
Taxes should be due Nov. Is. and
delinquent Dec. is.
Game board to be given more power.
A better system Of distributing
money to schools.
At the close Of Governor Hanna's
address Chief Justice Bruce admin
istered the oath Of office to Governor
Frazier and all state officials, immedi-
ately following which Governor Fraz-
Ter delivered his inaugural address.
Governor Frazier's Message.
Governor Frazier, in his inaugural
message. went on record as favoring
the following: