The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-01-31
LEGISLATURE HOLDS
SEVEN-DAY SESSION
Enact Thirteen Bills-Seed Bonding,
Sabotage Bill, Absent Voters, and
Grain Inspection Bills Enacted.

me state legislature, after a special
session lasting seven days, adjourned
late Tuesday nights
Thirteen bills in all were enacted.
They were practically all introduced
IN the house and were part of the
nonpartlsan league program. Prac-
tlcally all of the bills were amended
IN the Senate and returned to the
House, which refused to concur with
the Senate. The bills then went into
conference committees where some
times they were considered 48 hours.
The bill appropriating $4,000 for
the insane asylum at jamestown, met
with no opposition. There was no
tight on the bill for an appropriation
for the banking department, needed to
put into force the bank guarantee law.
The Grain Inspection bill caused
heated opposition. AS finally passed
it provides for an Inspector from the
state agricultural college, who may
employ help and work under the sup
ervision of the state railway commits
sion. Funds were appropriated for
this work. The fight was made on the
bill by those who wished the state
grading to remain in the hands of the
railway and warehouse commission.
The county seed and feed bonding
law, introduced by Rep. Walton of the
29th district, permits counties to bond
in any sum within the debt limit upon
petition of 100 or more taxpayers.
The bonds are to be sold thru the Of
flee Of the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture and Labor. The bill as first
passed by the house went to the SEN
ate for amendment, then into the con-
ference committee. The house accept
ed the report of this committee, but
the Senate deadlocked, % to %. Lieut..
Gov. Kraabel ruled that the bill had
not carried as Is is the necessary ma
jority. What the senate objected to
most in this bill was the proviso that
the state should guarantee the bonds
in case any county failed to pay them.
The argument was used that it was
unconstitutional for an act of this
legislature to become binding on a
succeeding Legislature.
The Moratorium bill became law.
This holds in allegiance taxes of SOL
diers in the U. S. service and provides
that no proceeding shall be taken in
the collection Of those taxes, whether
personal or real, while such person is
engaged in the military service and
for an additional period of one year.
No proceeding by action or other
wise shall be had in this state for the
foreclosure of a mortgage or other
lien on real or personal property or
for the cancellation of an executory
contract for the sale of land or for
the recovery of any Indebtedness
against any person in the active mil
itary service during the time the U. S.
is engaged in the present war or for
one year thereafter.
The absent voter bill was passed,
but no appropriation was passed and
no commission will be sent to the
front to take charge Of such elections
A Sabotage bill, aimed at the /. w
WIS, was passed. This makes it an
offense punishable by from one year
to life in the penitentiary for any per-
son found guilty of destroying grain
in the stock, shock, granaries or eleva-
tors or for the destruction of meat or
work animals.
A bill was passed reinstating cor
porations by application whose char
ters had expired.
The Home Guard bill was killed.
The last bill to be passed was that
pertaining to the Council of Defense
This bill provides for seven members
to be appointed by the Governor in
addition to the following members:
Governor, Attorney General, Secre-
tary of State and Commissioner of
Agriculture and Labor