The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-02-12
WANT CHANCE TO
VOTE ON SCHEME
Petitioners Declare Many Things
Planned Never Were Con-
sidered by People

John Haag of Fredonia, one Of the
most substantial and progressive farm
ers of Logan county, arrived in Bis
marck today with petitions signed by
400 representative farmers Of Logan
and Mcintosh counties which Mr.. Haag
will ask the Logan-McIntosh legisla-
tive delegation-Hard Nathan and
Donner-tO introduce on the floor OF
the house Thursday afternoon.
These petitions ask that the emcr-
gency clause on all measures not es-
sential to the peace, health and safety
Of the state be defeated, and that in
particular this emergency clause be not
islation, in order that the people may
have an opportunity to express their
approval or disapproval OF these meas
ureS.
Have Never Spoken -.
Speaking for the signers of these
petitions, Mr.. Haag in an interview
today said: "
Eat the last general election the vote
in Mcintosh county TO" the amend
ments was 372 and against them 300.
In Logan the vote for the amendments
was 270 and against 157. Not much
over 40, or As per cent. OF the people
voting voted at all ON the amendments,
and the whole vote cast at this cleo
ton, because Of flu and other condi-
tions, was not over so per cent of the
normal vote of Mcintosh and Logan
counties. The vote cast for Frazier
was for personal reasons much larger
than that given the amendments. He
received 40 more votes than were cast
for the adoption Of the amendments.
The people in voting for Frazier were
not, all Of them, voting for the league
program.
But the question involved in this
petition is not concerned with the
adoption of the constitutional amend
ments. The men who signed these pc
titions never voted for many Of the
things which the league is purposing
to do. We had heard much Of ter
were for them and are for them, but
there are other things brought up only
since tbs, LEGISLATURE convened u here
Chat sSyR liaNeiiit had any time to con-
slider at all. Nobody knows whether
azmajority Of the people are for them
or not. AL we ask is that the emer
gency on these bills be killed and that
the people be given a reasonable time
to express approval or disapproval Of
these measures. 1t need not delay. the
leagues plans more than four months;
Hthe outkate ~ y
Following 10 the Petition
70 the Honorable II embers Of the Sir !.
teenM Legislative Assent ly-6f55Htltsi
Thirty-Sirth District, State Of NORTH
Dakota: ..r.-s55saz-s-aa
whereas. the people of North Da
kOta in order to create more perfect
democracy by taking the power out of
the hands Of the few and placing it i'll
the hands of the many have enacted
and placed in our constitution that
wholesome measure, the initiative and
referendum, and
Whereas, the people Of this great
state placing faith, confidence and trust
in the integrity, honesty and sound
judgment Of their legislators having by
recent amendment to our constitE-
ton granted such legislators the ex
traordinary power of limiting the pow
er Of the people to referend legislation
by placing on bills and acts what is
Known as the emergency clause, and
s1Whereas, twas the intentiand p,r-
Hsse of the people in granting such
extraordinary power to the legisla lure
that same should not be used to de-
stroy the power of the people TO refer
end by placing on all bills and acts
the said emergency clause, and
whereas, the people intended that
such emergency clause should be placed
only upon bills or acts pertaining TO
the peace, health and safety of the oeo
pie and for the maintenance of the gov
eminent, and
Whereas. there is now before the
legislature bills not pertaining to the
aforesaid matters, and which can safe
" await the constitutional time for
the taking effect of such acts thus per-
uniting the people to exercise their
sovereign right of approval or disap-
prevail thereof, and St
Whereas, some of such bills and
acts create extraordinary expenditures,
huge bond issues, placing the state ard
its people heavily in debt, placing un-