Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1921-02-22
WOULD REVISE
CONSTITUTION
SENATOR THOMAS OF BINGHAM
URGES THAT CONSTITUTION BE
BROUGHT UP TO DATE
INSURGENTS PASS PRIMARY LAW
Secure Adoption Of Measure In Lower
House by Vote OF 80 to 10.

Boise, Idaho, Feb. IS, 1921. To the
Herald: The senate by an overwhelm-
ing majority today put its stamp of
approval on the proposition of holding
constitutional convention for a re-
vision of the constitution to meet
present day needs. The plan was ad-
vanced early in the session by Senator
Thomas Of Bingham county in senate
joint resolution No. /, declaring the
necessity for calling convention to
revise the constitution and proposed to
submit the question to the electors of
the state at the next general election.
The vote on the resolution was as fol-
lows
! Ayes-Armstrong, Baker, Boughton
Christensen, Clark of Bear Lake; Clark
of Clark; Featherstone, Fisher, HALEY,
Harding. Hegsted, Hunt, Hunter, John
son, Jones, Kerrick, King, Mckinney
McMurray, Mix, Orme, Paddock, Reh-
berg, Seaver, Thomas, Thompson, Van
Hoesen, Whitcomb, Whitman, Whitten
Witty, Yeaman. Total %.
Nays-Gilchrist, Monson, Porter,
Sonner, Sutcliffe. Total s.
j Absent or not voting-Burkey, Dis
ney, Howarth, Keith, Noggle, Reed and
Smith. Total7.
In speaking for the resolution. Sen
ator Thomas called attention to the inn
portant changes which had taken place
in the social and economic life of Idaho
in the past 81 years since the constitu-
tion was adopted, He pointed out that
there were II counties in Idaho at
that time and that they had from two
to nine members in the body and there
was only one county which had two
He figured the total cost of such
convention at $20,500 and showed that
the cost of amendments adopted in
! the past few years which had been
found necessary had been $10,S00
whereas a total of 40 amendments had
been proposed by the several legis-
latures, which had they been submitted
would have cost the people of the state
$58,800.
Touching on population he showed
that in 1890 the population was SS,543
and in 1920 431 ,S26; that the total
valuation of all property in 1890 was
$25 100000 as compared to $500, 100000
in 1920, also that the number of farms
in 1890 was 6603 as compared to 42,109
at present. The lumber production, he
stated in 1889 totaled 27S00,0 900 feet
and in, 1919 500, ,529,000
These conditions, he stated, proved
that Idaho had outgrown its constitu-
tion adopted so many years ago and
there was a great need of revising it
to save morey, He suggested two
members from each county and that the
best be sent to the convention provid-
ing the citizens vote to hold such a
convention.
The railroad fence bill by Clark and
King, requiring railroads to fence their
right of way along privately owned
tracts of land. was debated in com
mittee of the whole senate Monday
afternoon for some time and was fin :
ally eported out without recommended
: tion after a motion to indefinitely post
! pone was lost by vote of IA TO 13.
The bill was argued pro and con for
nearly an hour, some of the senators
contending that such legislation would
be too expensive for the railroads. Sen
ator Clark gave a strong plea for the
e measure and declared that he was
surprised to find so much sentiment
in the senate in behalf of the railroads.
: He stated that all the legislation and
ruling for the past 30 years had been
for the railroads and against the farm
+. ers and stockmen and he thought il
! about time some consideration was
taken of the people who paid bulk
d of the taxes. He further contended the
7 fencing as proposed in the bill would
not prove a burden of expense to the
companies.
u Monday afternoon saw the virtual in
terment of two of the sessions most
L .zf
sentatives House bill No. 20. by
a Storey. to abolish the public utilities
a commission, narrowly escaped indefi
s mite postponement and was recommit
e ted to the judiciary committee Senate
I bill No. 1, by Witty, much embatteret
and amended tax relief measure, wa
n passed by a margin of one vote, onl,
If to be reconsidered just before adjourn
s ment and tabled This action was pre-
n ceded by the first "call of the house
s, made this session. II. B. No. 20 wa
Is killed in the house Tuesday morning.
Id Senate bill No. IT'S by the committe
r. on highways, bridges and ferries, bill
lie aimed directly against the cleats OF
IN tractors and to protect the hard sur
faced state highways, was sent to tn
committee of the whole for a small
amendment Tuesday
N The senate measure providing tina
rv the state or any of its political sub
r, divisions may do work by day Iabo
- when conditions make 1t advisable, wa
On passed by unanimous vote
To Some opposition was voiced to sen
in ate bill No. 164, which provides fo
is the immediate repair of all injuries I
he streets, highways or bridges at the ez
pense of persons responsible for til
damage, but the measure passed wit
substantial majority Just befor
recess, Senator Monson, who voted "a
CT the measure. gave notice that he woul
III ask for reconsideration.
a. The so-called ice cream bill" hous