The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-22
HOUSE GIVEN
FIRST PARTY.
VOTE THRILL
Leaguers Surprised When
They Vote as Unit Against
Twichell Measure
d BATE AN OTHE r
States Attorney Subpoena
Bill, Amended, Is Recon-
menued to Pass

NonpartlsanS Joined as unit il
opposing measure in the hous,
Saturday afternoon for the frs
time. The action, coming without an,
debate and on what apparently wa.
Il bill of little Importance, cause,
amazement. Rep Twichell, author o
the bill, who said it merely change,
the present law regarding taxation
to cover accrued interest in specia
assessment deficiencies in cities. vo
ted no on the bill when his turr
came, explaining he did so, for tn,
purpose of being able later to make
motion to reconsider the bill. The
measure, house bill No. 80. received
55 "ayes" to az mays" the bill be.
ing lost because it lacked a majori.
ty of all members. Several were alb.
sent.
Later, during the course of debate
on another measure, Rep. Twiche!l
referred to a vote on party lines or
the bill.
Rep. Larkin, Nonpartisan said
"l'll say you gave me information on
the bill and you gave me wrong in
formation"
Mr.. Twichell rose to a point OF
personal privilege to ask wherein he
gave wrong information.
"You said it related only to inter-
est" said Larkin.
81 repeat that" said Mr.. Twichell
adding that the city attorney who
drew the bill changed the wording
from the present law somewhat, but
that close comparison would show
only the very minor change proposed
to cover a defect in the old law.
The debate, which promised to 60
into details, was halted by Rep.
Carr. sitting as a chairman of the
committee of the whole, and the
house reverted to the matter under
consideration. The Nonpartisan vote
was cast solidly after bills which
were to be up -for third reading had
been discussed in caucus, it was un-
derstood.
Approve Subpoena Bill
The house approved the amended
report of the judiciary committee on
house bill No. %, known as the
states attorneys subpoena bill, after
lengthy debate in which Rep. Jack
son opposed the measure as opening
the way "for persecution instead If
prosecution"
The bill as amended provided for
investigations of suspected crimes,
and gave power to police magis-
trates, justice of the peace and coun-
ty courts with increased jurisdiction
to issue subpoenas for persons to
appear and give testimony under
oath as to any suspected law viola
ton, before anyone had been arrest
ed.
Rep. Jackson said he had talked 20
two members of the supreme court
who saw great danger in the meas
ure, and who thought that such sub
poenas should not issue except up
on order Of the district court. He
declared it opened the way for states
attorneys to persecute opponents in
local fights.
Chairman Stark said that the At
torney- General had approved the
measure, and believed it would aid
in enforcing the law.
Rep. Maddox, insisting on know
ing the AttorneyG Generals position.
said "if the attorney general wants
to get real law enforcement instead
of using the office for political pro-
paganda as it has been for the last is
months his request ought to be Civ
en- consideration"
Rep. Stark said there was possibili-
ty of the proposed law being mis-
used, as Rep. Jackson pointed out,
but that he believed the good which
could be accomplished greatly over
balanced any possible evils.
Rep. V0gel said that in many com
munities persons would be glad to
give information concerning law vi
olations under such law, but
would not now give the information
to law enforcement officers.
Pass SprOul Bill
7 The house passed the Sproul bill,
No. AZ, which provided for "stagger-
ed" terms for village board mem
bers, by a vote of 81 to 0. 1t passed
H. B. Al, removing the requirement
for the state treasurer to publish
his reports in an official newspaper,
by vote of 30 to s.
In committee of the whole the
house approved H. B. 43, extending
the power to recall city officials to
include city officials in cities under
the councilmanic. system as we'll as
under the city commission plan, al
ready embraced in the law. The
house approved the senate resolution
supporting the proposed Great
Lawrence waterways. Com
received included one
urging repeal of the seed and feed
lien law, and one from the North
western North Dakota Development
Association asking 100000 appro-
priation for immigration purposes,
'ne from 45 depositors Of the defunct
State Bank Of Milton stating that no
had ever been made Of
The banks assets and asking for an
Investigation and a communication
from q ladies club Of Center favor
ing the county library bill.
Four Bills In
Four more bills were introduced.
Rep. Lackey proposed in house bill
CONTINUED On Page Thres)