The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-08
EASTERN PAPER
SHOWS MODEL !"
.CONSTITU TION
FOR The STATE
Would Provide Govern
ment "Sensitively Re
sponsible to People"
VESTS LEGISLATIVE
POWER IN HOUSE
Reserves Right for Voters
to Propose Laws and
Amendments At Will

Bismarck, n. D., Feb. s.-The Non
propaganda for H. b. No. Al, seems
to have so firmly established a belief
| that North Dakota's present
constitution is worn out, after 20
years use that we find Equity" a
| national periodical dealing with gov
| eminent reform. proposing a Model
Constitution for North Dakota" in
| its current issue. This constitution,
| Equity announces, is based on a
draft drawn for New York by Albert
| II. Jackson, Of Buffalo, n. Y, and has
been prepared by G. q. Hoag and
Albert b. Maris, secretaries OF the
| American proportional representation
| league. The purpose OF the proposed
constitution is announced to be Ito
provide for a government that will be
sensitively responsive to the will or
the people, government that viii
not be hampered by multitude Of
restrictions, or lost to public view in
a jungle Of entangled responsibilities
known as checks and balances.
The constitution vests legislative
power in a legislative assembly, and
all other governmental power shall
be vested in the Legislative assembly
and such other officers and depart
ments as may be designated by law;
but the voters reserve to themselves
the power to propose laws and
amendments to this constitution, and
to enact or reject them at the polls,
independently of the legislative as
sembly, and also reserve the power
at their own option to approve or
reject at the polls any legislative act
or resolution, or any part Thereon,
oil
All laws enacted by the legislative
assembly must receive the affirma-
tive votes Of a majority OF all the
members of the legislative assembly,
Shall Have 40 Members.
The legislative assembly shall
consist of 40 members, elected for
the term Of four years" which
provision would restrict the leg1s-
iature to an equivalent of the present !
membership Of the senate: ---,
The proposed constitution would
divide the state into seven assembly |
districts as follows:
Ffrst-Cavalier, Pembina, Walsh, |
Grand Forks and Nelson; members.
Second-Traill, Steele, Griggss
Barnes and Cass; members.
Third-Richiand, Ransom, La
Moure. Logan, Emmons, Mcintosh,
Dickey and Sargent; Z members.
Fourth Stutsman, kdder'
BurIeigh. Mclean. Sheridan, Wells
Eddy and Foster; members.
Fifth-McHenry, Pierce, Benson,
Ramsey. Towner, Rolette and
Bottineau: Z members.
Sixth-Divfde, Renvtlle, Burke,
Williams. Mckenzie, Mountrail ana
Ward; z members.
Seventh-BiIlings, Golden Valley
Slope, Bowman, Adams, Hettlnger'
Stark. Dunn, Mercer. oliver, Morton
and Sioux; members.
Rabv Grant is given no representa-
ton. probably because these mooel-
makers were not sum-
GENTLY cognizant of North Dakota
affairs to know of the creation more
than a year ago of this new coun-
~ Hold Annual Sessions.
Annual sessions OF the legislature,
to remain in session until all ousl-
ness is disposed of, are provided Tor.
Special sessions may be called py
council upon demand or
seven members of the legislative as
sembIv. This legislative council
shall consist of nine members TO DC
elected by the assembly, and II shaIl
meet at least once each month except
In iuIv and August. This council
has nower to initiate measures, to
hold hearings on any measures before
the council, when requested, ana TO
raport them with its recommends
tions 20 the legislative assembly.
No legislative act. or resolution. is
r., take effect earlier than ninety
5avs after adjournment except APP
measures and measures
PASSED "solely to facilitate the per-
Torrance Of the business Of the legls-
lative assembly" No law may grant
lny- appeal or franchise or immunity
except on condition phat II may De
amended or annulled at any time.
Has Virtue Of BreVity.
F7our thousand qualified voters may
refer any measure. which then is
submitted at the next general cleo
ton: 5000 voters may initiate. Inc
Droposed constitution provides for .
he enactment Of laws to facilitate
these foregoing provisions. The iegls-
allure by a. majority vote may feLeI !
anv proposed measure to the people.
The franchise is extended every Gnu
rar5 10 sex. except those under
insane or felons. The
very briefly provides
NAT executive and judicial officers
md other departments necessary
,hall be established and regulated by
aw. Seven thousand voters may
1ropose an amendment to the
which shall be adopted q
mon a majority of the electors OF
ne state voting therefor. The exist q
inf constitution is repealed as G
constitution but at shall have the
orce OF statute law except where II
s inconsistent with this constitution, {
Until II is repealed wholly or partly {
or by implication, by ordln-
Try legislation"
The constitution has the virtue OF
,revitv. Whether it has the approval ]
4 the Nonpartisan league, or whether S
his organization was in any way
.esponsible for the proposal, in
Equity. that North Dakota have a
lew constitution, does not appear
TAKES DEADLY POISON. i
.tOmaeh Of DFiseOII woman Found TO !
MT snW