The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-06
TWenty-Second LEGISLATURE Ends

1W~euCy-OecOnQ Legislature EnQS
It Is difficult to guage the work Of a legislature before
the medicine which it prescribes is taken. The best
that can be done at this writing is to comment upon
certain trends. Generally speaking, however. the ses-
sion has been harmonious. The usual wrangles and COM
bats have featured its sessions, but judged by past ses-
sions, the men sent to Bismarck have tried honestly to
represent their constituents.
The most encouraging sign noted is the breaking
down OF the old bitter lines. There is still q long way to
go before the merits and dement's Of legislation are
viewed strictly on a non-partisan basis. The factions,
while not as bitter as in past sessions still vote pretty
much as q bloc where fractional issues are concerned.
Some good legislation has failed because legislators
could not rise above politics: some bad bills passed for
the same reason. But the most important thing is that
the extremely bitter feeling Is abated somewhat and it
will abate more when the people decide to keep at home
certain trouble makers whose chief function seems to be
to keep the old sores open and to feed an ancient grudge.
Bismarck has a most kindly feeling toward the Twenty
second Legislature. With an unprecedented unanimity,
it enacted into law a measure which will give the state
a fine new capitol building. It rid the city Of the old
"Toonervlle' trolley which for years has been an eye
sore and a menace to traffic. In many other ways the
members endeared themselves to the capital city. Many
friendships were formed and q better understanding was
reached between the legislators and this city.
Speaking generally. legislation passed was corrective
oSF A~SAS AA0J AAoVC OCA wv 81
q tendency to create more tax eating commissions. Some
of these were forced upon the members as program
pledges" There is too much delegated authority now
and if the best interests Of the taxpayers are to be con-
served there must, in the future, be a concentration of
authority.
Despite the fact that the governor was relieved OF
service on several commissions, his responsibility as
regards the highway department and the state mill at
Grand Forks is as real. If not more so. than under the
old rooinoo Tho M ryboun ~ ovuoSr&. ~11 jtrn "a
fleet credit to his administration or discredit 1t. He
may find it an easier task to serve himself and have
the authority within his own hands than to watch the
men to whom the management is delegated.
Many of the banking and educational laws have been
rewritten after careful study by commissions. How their
theories will work out in practice only time will tell.
No one questions seriously but what the best interests
of the state were paramount in the consideration of
these issues.
Executive pressure upon the legislative body has been
deplored by many members in both factions. It is an
outstanding fact Of this session that Gov. Shafer failed
to strengthen his hold on his own political clique and
won no friends from the other camp. His frequent in
vasions of the legislative body were uncalled for, I'M
precedented and beneath the dignity Of his office. His
activity in defeating congressional redstricting, despite
a real demand from the people for the Swett-Crockett
bill, has created a very vital issue for the next campaign.
The reverses suffered by L. 1. Twichel. majority leader
and I. v. A. campaign manager. have been the high
lights Of the session.
I. v. A. control, based upon a narrow margin, had it
been more judiciously directed. might have stood up
under the strain Of the opposing faction. Twichel lost
his head while his opponents kept theirs. That is the
reason why so many defeats were administered to the
controlling faction.
But all in all, the twenty-second legislative assembly
tackled some hard problems and acquitted itself for the
most part. in a creditable manner. For this, however,
administration forces can take very little credit: for
most of the time, it was not their legislature, and in
many instances I. v. A. leaders were holding an empty
sack.
New and younger leaders asserted themselves and gave
promise, in the not too far distant future of q new day
in North Dakotas affairs in which the narrow pre-
JUDGES and spite Of the past will have no place.
This session has sown the seeds Of a new deal In
politics. Just how far it will get will be an interesting
development to watch.
Good luck and farewell to the members of the Twenty
second session.