The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-03-06

FINISHED WORK
LEAGUE PROGRAM ENACTED
AND SESSION ADJOURNED
IN RECORD TINE. .t

bismarck, N. Dak.-In the presence
OF the entire membership of both
houses of the legislature, all state
officers and hundreds of farmer visi-
tors to Bismarck, Governor Lynn J.
Frazier of North Dakota last Tues
day signed the series of principal Lea
que bills passed by the legislature.
Each bill went into effect as the
governor signed it, all carving
emergency clauses. However, to give
the opposition opportunity to test the
sentiment of the people of North Da-
kota again if they desire to do so.
Governor Frazier announced that he
would call special election upon peti-
ton of from $4,000 to 10000 voters of
the state. Under the constitution the
governor is not required to call an
election unless 10000 voters request
1t, but Governor Frazier explained
that there was no disposition to avoid
an ISSUE
The bill creating the state industrial
commission, authorized to conduct all
forms of business in which the state
may engage.
The bill creating the Bank of North
Dakota, which will enable the state
industries to be financied and also will
provide cheaper real estate loans and
grain loans to farmers.
The bill creating the North Dakota
Mill and Elevator association, au-
thorizing the state to build and
operate terminal elevators, flour mills,
packing plants, and to engage other
wise in the marketing of all agricul-
tural products.
The bill creating the North Dakota
Home Builders association, under
which a workingman or tenant farmer
may be put in possession of a city
home or ready-made farm upon a first
payment of 20 per cent.
The Ignite coal bill, providing for
the regulation and operation Of the
Ignite coal mines Of the state.
Three bond bills, one providing
$2,000,000 capital for the Bank Of
! North Dakota, a second providing
SIS 100000 for the mill and elevator
system, and third providing for the
issuance Of bonds against real estate
mortgaged to the bank, also were
signed by the governor. -'.
Some Of the farmers who were in
Bismarck to watch the final act in
their fight for state marketing Of
grain were the same Equity men who
had come to the legislature in 1915 to
ask that session to pass the terminal
elevator bill. They were then told to
go home and slop the hogs"
Lieutenant Governor Howard Wood,
son Of F. E. Wood first farmer to join
the Nonpartisan league, presided over
the joint session of the legislature.
Following the signing Of the measures
there was a round Of speechmaking.
Farmer legislators from both houses
recalled the long fight Of the North
Dakota farmers for the reforms that
they finally were getting.
The joint session virtually marked
the close of the North Dakota legis-
lature. A. few days were spent in
winding up unfinished business, prin-
cipally dealing with small bills. The
Legislature finally adjourned with
every prediction pledge fulfilled and
every bill Of the League program
enacted into law. ...
The Sixteenth North Dakota legis-
lature is remarkable in number Of
ways. That is will prove historical
session was predicted by j. F. I.
O'Connor, leader of the opposition on
the floor of the house.
No other legislature, in any Ameri-
can state, has enacted 50 many I'M
portant measures at single session.
The nearest approach was the record
of the New Jersey legislature, during
the first year Of the administration Of
Governor-now president-Wood
Wilson. But the Frazier adminlstra-
ton and the North Dakota legislature
have done more progressive work and
more Of it than the Wilson admins
tration and the New Jersey legisla-.
ture did.
In spite Of the Importance OF the
legislation, the legislature introduced
less bills than ever before, cost less
and adjourned earlier. Agreement
was made at the start to keep down
petty and unimportant bills and 70
adjourn as soon as the bills promised
to the people were enacted. AS g re-
suit adjournment was taken well Pc
fore the end Of 60 days.
Less employees were used than ever
before. This was possible because help