The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-02-28

mouthed about this bill," said Twichell
of Cass county, discussing Job w.
Brinton's newspaper monopoly, Senate
Bill l57, in. house committee Of the
whole this afternoon.
1--WE all know what the purpose of
this bill is. We all know that its pur-
pose is not to save money for the tax
payers but to enrich few neWspa-
pers, and more than half the members
of this house own stock in these news
papers. You hope, gentlemen, to have
your newspaper made the official
newspaper for your county through
this bill.
''It's the most unfair measure that
has ever been introduced in the legis7
lative assembly Of any state. Any
gentleman in this house should be
ashamed to vote for it or give it q
For Free Play
Rep. J. F. T. O'Connor of Grand
Forks, spoke for free play.
'Many of the independent newspa-
pers of this state cannot exist without
the public notices and legals which
they have been getting. These news
papers will be driven out of existence.
don't blieve that's the intention of
the majority of this house. l believe
in freedom of speech, free expression
of opinion.
"lf this bill had been passed two
years ago when the old parties were
in power it would have been impos-
sible for this league to get hearing
in any county in the state. 1t is pos
sible that in year or two under the
provisions of this bill the people will
have chance at the next general
election to designate their official
paper, but it is highly doubtful wheth-
er a large number Of these, independent
papers! will not have been driven out
of the state; it is doubtful whether
they can continue to exist even for
that short time. @
~ believe in free expression, in
hearing all sides of every question.
That would be impossible under this
bill. 1t is ridiculous to suppose that q
political board will designate any pa
pers opposed to the party which this
board represents. We would have a
situation to which / wish to call your
attention through an incident which
occurred this morning"
The speaker read from the leagues
capital city organ an alleged declara-
ton made by Townley at his banquet
last night to the effect that minority
members of this assembly are sup
porting alien interests"
Calls Townley Liar
In behalf of the minority in this
house wish to brand that statement
here and now as falsehood. That
statement never has been made on the
floor of this house because you gentle
men don't believe it.; because you know
it is not true. The majority has shown
the minority in this house splendid
consideration. But, if this bill were
now in effect, the people out over: the
state would hear only the one side OF
this question The same story that
appeared in your capital city organ
this morning would be sent to every
official paper in the state and they
would be compelled to print it, giving
their readers the impression that this
was the truth.
The Kept Press
eve hear a great deal about the
kept press. don't know whether
there is kept press OF not. I am
not a newspaper man. l spend lot OF
money with newspapers, but l own no
stock in any newspaper.
"There will be no question about .
kept press in the future if this bill is
passed. We will have kept press
kept by the Nonpartisan league. This
bill is inconsistent with every princi-
pie of democracy; it is inconsistent
with the spirit of the league; it is in
consistent with the spirit of our great,
free, splendid North Dakota; it Is IN
consistent with the sentiments OF q
majority of the members OF this
house."
Cant See No Sense"
Representative Del Patterson OF
Donny brook. couldn't "see no sense IN
the argument of the gentleman from
Grand Forks. "Does he mean to say
that attorneys file suits against poor,
-trodden people to make million
aires out of these newspapers Z" asked
the league floor leader. NJ
WHO'S A MILLIONAIRE NOW?
IF the gentleman from Donnybrook
is correct in his belief that this patron
age. split up as it now is among sew
eral newspapers, is making their pub
fishers millionaires. what will be the
result when one newspaper Is given \
monopoly ?" asked Burtness OF Grand
Forks.
I'VE talk. about saving the taxpayers
money Why. the time may come when
you will be printing in your own, pa
pers- your official. legal newspapers
all the bills that we have had intro
tucetl here. Does Mr.. Patterson know
that an amendment slipped III here ut
the last moment will double the
amount of money that the state fs 70
pay for public printing: that these OF
fetal newspapers will receive jest tw1cs