The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-04-19
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
AND POLITICAL CONDI-
TIONS IN NORTH DA-
KOTA
By R. A. Lathrop.
BY r. A. Lathrop.

1ue organization OI Tile house
Of Representatives during the past
session was in the hands of. the
League members who met in adj
vance in secret caucus, to which
caucus other than League members
would be admitted provided they
would "sign up" to agree by the
majority decision Of those par
ticipating. This is a system Of
political action that has been op-
posed by the progressive element
in politics for a great many years
for the reason that the public
business ought to be carried on in
the open and for the further reas-
on hat it often actually results
in minority rather than majority
rule. For example in a body com
posed Of 100 members, 60 in the
majority and 40 in the minority,
81 members Of the majority, less
than one third of the whole body
would rule because the 20 remain
ing members Of the majority fac
ton would be bound to vote as the
majority Of that faction ruled, not
as the majority of the whole body
decided. Having been personally
opposed to this method for years
and believing it wrong in princi-
pie, could not see why in this case
it should be adopted for if it is
wrong in one place it cannot be-
come right elsewhere and certain
ly do not care to sign away my
right Of freedom in thought and
action for it does not harmonic
with my ideas Of the obligation of
one holding public office. The
rules Of the legislature provide for
a COMMITTEE of the whole''which
is nothing more or less than a
free and open meeting of all mem.
bers Of the legislature to discuss
and recommend action on bills as
they come up. Action by a caucus
especially when it represents only
one occupation, is almost certain
to be biased in viewpoint, for we
are all SO greatly influenced by ou1
business that it cannot be other
wise, this is nothing against any
member, and it would be equally
true if the membership represent
ed merchants, bankers, lawyers
Or any other line Of activity. Ii
the instance Of the Caucus las
winter, unfortunately it was no
limited to the actual members O
the Legislative Assembly, but in
cluded quite an array of self ap
pointed leaders, and their lieu
tenants, protesting great interes
in the farmers welfare. Thes
were admitted and participated
in and moulded the action of tn
body, but elected representative
of the people, many Of them fa1
mers, unless they would sign ava:
their right of free political actio:
as their consciences dictated
could have no part in decidin
Amany Of the most important thing
before the Legislature. In add:
ton to this these so-called leader
would frequently be seen part
cipating in procedure when tn
House was actually in session b
sending notes to make a certai
motion or calling members fror
seat into the lobby or e]sewher
to coach them in procedure
Ordinarily I am very slow t
Question any mans sincerity, 70
in the main most men are homes
of purpose, but when one see
men coming into the state withou
property here, or "any visibl
means Of support" and hears the1
proclaiming their great anxiet
for our welfare and in turn d.
nouncing men who have live
here from 20 to 40 years as trai
ors, tools Of big business, old gang
sters etc., etc., and cartoo
them as on the auction block b,
ing sold to the highest bidder,
u lis time to wonder "where we al
. at" and question if our polite;