Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-03-12
THE TWENTY,SECOND ASSEMBLY
Montana-Record Herald


Like all happenings. set or spontaneous, the twen-
tv-second Montana legislative assembly has passed into
history. Its record is good and as the members return
to their home districts to render an accounting they can
face their constituents with clean and clear records.
True. some of these constituents will find fault. The
man with a pet measure or the man with some i'm
practicable scheme for r~emedying all the states all
ments will crouch around because his views were not
accorded the consideration to which he deems they were
entitled. But the attitude of the assembly just ended
seems to have been, as one glances over its record, that
of not rocking the boat. And most sane thinking per-
sons will agree that this is no time for meddllng with
the tnler cord or shifting the ballast.
The assembly completed within the 6O-day period
allotted to it, all of its work, with the exception OF the
slow process of enrolling last minute bills, which
stretched the final day long hours beyond the flnai
stop-spot. But this was routine business and was Iorc-
ed by legal provisions that the bills must be signed in
open session by the presiding officers of the two branch
es. Only the serious consideration that was given the
last measures to be acted upon can be blamed for the
belated sine die proceedings. Only a handful remained
to see the final touches applied to the new statutes that
will grace the codes of Montana. Altogether, well say
it was a like, earnest and Woodworking ses-
sion.
Friction was almost entirely absent in the deliber-
atoms of both houses. Party lines were largely oblit-
Grated and there seemed to be an almost unanimous de-
sire to get something done for the interests of Montana
and all of her people. Factions and their differences
were forced into the background by the very evident
realization that Montana just now needs united effort
to steer her course toward the certain prosperity that
is coming. The matter of providing a means by which
the state will be able to take advantage of the federal
aid offered for highways was an outstanding example.
A dozen others could be mentioned. Bickering has been
absent, trading became a lost art and a spirit of CO.
operation was predominant,
Both houses were fortunate in having able presid-
ing officers, at all times fair, tolerant and considerable
of the views of those of opposite faiths or divergent
opinions.
In the senate Lieutenant Governor Frank A. Ha-
zelbaker, who entered upon his duties with the pleasant
experience of the last session, was not called upon to
decide many troublesome questions. He worked with
the members of both Republican and Democratic par
ties and political affiliations had no influence upon his
rulings. He, with his affable smile and tolerant manner
was ever ready to let the senate 60 as far as it liked
in discussions, while at all times maintaining a tight
and firm grip upon the wheel of the ship. Not one crit
icism or unfairness has been laid against the actions
of Lieutenant Governor Hazelbaker by members of
either party. For that matter he simply duplicated the
record he made in he session of two years ago, when
he won lasting friendships among the members of the
twenty-first assembly Among the hold-overs these
friendships were made stronger and the new members
founded their friendships upon the many little courtes-
les he extended to them to make their difficulties cas-
icr.
yer in the house w. R. Flachsenhar, representa-
tr rom Prairie County, made much the same record
as d d the lieutenant governor on the senate side. Mr..
Flachsenhar is not inexperienced in legislative matters,
having been a member of previous assemblies, though
this was his first experience as presiding officer through
the long session. He dicharged his duties in the same