The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-22

the supreme court decisions on con-
stitutional questions after the court is
increased to seven members.
The Bonded Debt.
4. That the proposed. new constitution
| which provides for an increase from
100000 to 100000 in the bonded in
debtednesS Of the state, really creates
| an entirely new bond provision of a
| half million dollars, is evident upon a
| closer study Of the measure.
The provision follows:
Section 169-The state may, to
meet casual deficits or failure in
the revenue or in case Of extra
ordinary emergency, contract
debts, but such debts shall never
in the aggregate exceed 100000,
exclusive of what may be the debt
of the state of North Dakota at
the time of the adoption of this
constitution -.- ....
At the present time, the states
bonded indebtedness is $46S,000, so, by
virtue of the proposed provision, the
states actual bonded debt limit would
be $96S,000, instead of 100000.
The wording is the same as the
present constitution whichfxes the limit
at 100000. The fact that the state
now has $468,00O in bonds is explain
ed by the fact that the state took over
heavy territorial Indebtedness when
the present constitution was adopt
ed.
Hail Insurance Clause.
The Nonpartisan league has insert
ed a direct specific provision for the
creation of a state hail insurance de-
partment in the constitution bill, this
provision being overlooked in the
original draft. The amendment pro-
posed follows:
Section 16s-The legislative
assembly may, by law, provide for
the levy and collection of an acre
age tax on all lands within
this state, the proceeds of
which shall be applied to indemni-
flying the owners of crops. against
damage thereto by hail; provided,
that lands within the boundaries
villages, and lands used for public
roads, rights of way of common
carriers, mining, manufacturing or
pasturage, and all lands owned by
the state or any political sub
division thereof, maye be exempt
ed from such tax"
Method Of Proclamation.
An amendment also provides for the
proclamation by the governor of the
| new constitution, in the event that II
| is approved by the people, as con-
| templated- by the Nonpartisan league
Under the terms of the amendment
the governor would issue such
proclamation within ten days after
the election is held. and the constitu-
ton would then be in full force.
Contrary to general understanding
the state affairs committee of the
house reported the bill for passage
over the signature of Walter Maddox
chairman. It had been understood all
along that the committee would simply
return the bill without recommends
| ton.
An Open Debate Rule.
1t has been suggested that the rules
of the house be suspended during the
| time the constitution bill is under con-
sideration. The natural course of the
house would be the consideration OF
the bill in the committee of the whole
house, but it is now proposed that the
rules be suspended so as to permit
consideration with Speaker Wood in
the chair, the house not to sit as a
committee. Present house rules also
limit debate.
Also, it is likely that stenographers
will be engaged by the house to report
the proceedings in detail:
How They Signed Up.
According to the last issue of The
Nonpartisan Leader, which carried q
statement from the league members
of the Legislature, to the people of the
state, bearing upon the question OF
Fl. B. No. A. the following members
Of the two houses have signed up to
support the league bill--76 in the
house and 10 in the senate:
The House Members.
j. ]. O'Connor, w. j. Pleasance, H.
Gieger. Sinclair, Ferguson, Gunhus
Christianson, Lageson, Strom, Guam,
Moen. Cole, Larson, Wadeson, Riba,
Larson, Minis Kimball, Kitzman,
Frederickson, Dettler, Schrag, Otto g.
Olson, McManus, Ronau1d Church,
John Maddox, Laird, Hoghaug, G. 2.