Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-12-18
NORTH DAKOTA READY
FOR GREAT REFORMS
Amendments Now Declared Passed
Open the Road at Last for
Farmer Program.
(By A. B. Gilbert)

The now famous 10 amendments to
the constitution of North Dakota,
which enable the majority Of the vot-
ers there to carry out their plans for
a better democracy, have passed. This
has been officially declared by the
state canvassing board.
From the day after election there
has been no doubt that the amend
ments received a majority of the
votes cast on them. Final count shows
a majority of from $4,000 to 10000 for
each measure in a total vote of less
than 100000. But taking advantage of
court decision in Minnesota to the
effect that an amendment to the con-
stitution had to have majority of all
votes cast, the special interests and
their press have widely proclaimed the
failure of half If not all the amend
ments in North Dakota. The object
of this was to give the people outside
of North Dakota the false impression
that the League farmers had rejected
their own program. The Minnesota
decision, of course, has no bearing in
North Dakota, and that state, as well
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decisions of long standing holding that
only majority of those voting on the
measure is needed.
" Ready for Reform.
North Dakota, consequently, is now
ready to put into law what has been
the express will of its people for
over six years and what venal p0liti-
clans and cleverly designed constitu-
tional limitations have prevented indie
finitely had it not been for the great
League revolt. In 1912 the voters of
North Dakota declared for state
owned elevators and mills by four to
one vote. This was declared uncon-
stitutional. In 1914 they amended the
constitution to allow this measure by
a four to one vote. This was again
thwarted by the politicians, who failed
to enact the necessary legislation.
Then the League captured the 1916
election, and the measure was again
thwarted by the holdover senators.
Now the holdover senators have
been routed. A majority of the SUI
preme court is responsible to the peo-
pie only for election. The constitution
has been definitely amended. The vot-
ers have thus cleared out all the spe-
cial privilege nests, and the state en-
barks on new legislation for the COM
mon people which will set the pace
for the whole nation.
Amendments Fundamental.
The fundamental character of the
reforms which North Dakota is to ini-
tiate may be judged from the amend
fo INN rf 1fYnifoti0
to the organization of cooperative
companies are removed. The legisla-
ture is allowed to establish a state
managed hail insurance system and to
levy a fiat land tax on unimproved as
we'll as improved land to cover part Of
the cost after the precedent set by
the Canadian laws. Four of the five
judges Of the state supreme court are
declared necessary to declare law
unconstitutional A very democratic
initiative and referendum has been
provided. The methods of amending
the constitution are made easier.
Another amendment allows the legis-
lature to exempt improvements and
personal property from taxation. The
debt limit of the state is raised from
the absurd limit of $1,000 to allow
for the building OF the contemplated
state-owned enterprises. The state
will be able also, it is thought, to re-
lieve some of the excess interest bur
den of its farmers by financial sys-
tenn made possible by this amendment.
Another amendment allows the cOun-
ty and city, practically for the first
time, to own public utilities and to
make improvements by direct labor.
Basis for Decision.
The decision of the canvassing board
that all the amendments had passed
was based on a thorough and conclu-
sive opinion by Attorney General VIII
liam LANCER. He cites, for instance,
a decision of the North Dakota su
preme court written by Judge Spauld-
ing in 1908, or seven years before the
Nonpartisan league was conceived Of,
holding that the phrase of the consti-
tuition, "all the legal votes cast"
means all the votes cast on the amend
ment. The court held that no legal
vote could be cast relative to meas
ure before the people for adoption or
rejection except it was cast for or
against the amendment.
In other words, no vote cast for gov
ernor or any other candidate or meas
ure could possibly be a vote against
the amendment under consideration.
Such is the only reasonable and demo-
cratic Interpretation that could be put
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