The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-01-17
Ratification in the Uppef>House
Makes Proposals Part
of Constitution
ALL TO PASS

the doors Of the voting booth
while the votes were counted.
This gave Riba eleven votes to
theFoood.
Today may be a big day in the sen
ate, or it may be very commonplace
one. 1t all depends upon whether the
independent, minority, the "unholy
twelve" or the dirty Dozen" as they
variously characterize themselves,
choose to debate the adoption on third
reading Of concurrent resolutions rati-
flying the seven amendments initiated
ny the league at the recent election.
These resolutions were reported out
for passage by the senate state ,af-
fairs committee Wednesday as House
Bills Is, z, e, 9, TO-, II and IL, and
they 1vill 60 on third reading and II.
Hal pa ssage this afternoon.
Onei OF the Oldest and most active
members OF the senate minority. Is
adverse tOsproloDged debate over these
resolutions. They have been thor.
oughly debated In the house.: about
all haa been said that could be said.
The league Is SO thoroughly organized
\ Ii, both bodies thatsswA might talk nm
til doomsday MT itlioufs chAnginS q vote,
and iftwe aid swing one or Two gof the
majority over; It would not help us
any,'s said this senator today,
Tho maximum number OF votes
against the resolutions which, can be
expected in the senate IS thirteen,
while the leaguers will have IS votes
to cast for the resolutions. i Should
there be no or very limited debate,
the ratification Of the seven league
amendments may be completed this
afternoon, and the constitution will
then, barring an adverse decision from
the supreme court on the legality OF
The state canvassing boards proceed.
ure in relation to five OF these pro-
posals, have been reformed along the
lines proposed by the, Nanpartisan
league in House Bill "A two years ago.
Initiative on Legislation.
Under these amendments Section 70
of article Q as amended by article 10
of amendments IS amended to change
the number. OF electors required to
propose any measure by initiative Pc
tition from. at least ten per cent OF
the legal voters to, be secured In q
majority Of the couhties of the state
to ten thousand electors at large.
Changing the provision that the initia-
tive petition shall be filed with the
secretary of state not less than thirty
days before any regular session; ne
shall transmit the same to the legls'
lative assembly,as soon as 1t convenes,
and requiring legislative action there.
on, to provision that petition shasl
be filed with the secretary OF state
not less than ninety days before the
election at; which it is$ito be voted
upOn.t The same amendment PROVIDES
for referendum on emergency meas
ures andNfor special elections thereon;
places burden of proof upon party at
tackipg. petition; provides that no
measure enacted or approved by
vote of the electors shall be repealed
or amended by the legislature except
upon two.third yea and nay vote.
Ten thousand electors at large may
propose any measure by initiative pc
tition: seven thousand voters at large
may by referendum petition suspend
the operation Of any measure enacted
by the legislature except IN emergency
measure, which shall remain a law
until voted upon. ;;. -,
Emergency Measures.
The second league amendment up.
niles to emergency measures, by ad-
ding to section 81. article 2 Of the
constitution the words: Provided, how
ever. that no act granting franchise
or special privilege. or act creating
onv vested right or interest other