The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-28
TWichell 'TOtters
AS /. V. AS Charge
Hes Getting Old


AS /. v. AS Charge
Hes Getting Old'|
CONTINUED from page one)
ship at this session may result In his
defeat for reelection. It is certain
that he will be the object of q vigor-
Gus campaign and that some OF the
men who have supported him IN the
past will be unwilling to work hard
for the reelection OF a "has BEEN"
But whether or not he Is returned
to the state legislature there seems
more than a possibility that the I. V.
AS will have a new leader two years
hence.
One of the interesting and amusing
aspects Of the present situation In
the house Is the keen interest mani
tested by some legislators In the &C
curracy OF the roll calls as reported
by the clerks.
One recent roll call developed so
50 many errors that 1t was more than
noticeable and the Nonpartisans were
somewhat resentful when 1t was
shown that the errors all favored
the I. v. A. faction, which organized
the house.
A result was a quiet conference
with Speaker G. v. Freeman and a
defensive action by some Nonpartl-
san members to take their " roll
calls as checks upon those of the
house clerks.
The principal complaint was that
the roll was called 50 swiftly, in some
instances, that members were unable
to answer in time when their names
we're called. It was this fact, the
Nonpartisans contended, that caused
the errors
Now the rolls are being called more
slowly and errors are becoming less
frequent.
w. j. Flanagan, Jamestown, labor
member of the house who usually
votes with the Nonpartisans, has been
one of the keeneSt roll hawks" In
recent days. He said he was advised
by the desk that a double check was
being made now aud that he could
dispense with his labors. His reply
was q request for an additional sup
ply Of roll calls.
Which brings to mind one of the
troubles encountered by newspaper
men at this session.
In the past, there have been only
two groups In the legislature, the /
". A. and Nonpartisarl. Now, SO 1t
would appear, there are four.
Flanagan wishes to be listed as a
labor member, having been brought
into the political arena by railroad
men living in Stutsman county. He
has shown unusual aptitude for leg
islative work and Is regarded as q
conner" by men on both sides OF the
political fence.
The fourth group consists Of Will
liam Crockett and Ed A. Hill Of
Cavalier county.
They usually vote with the Nonpar-
ticans, also. but prefer to be labelled
as. Independent Progressives. They
were elected under that label, they
explain, and prefer to be known by
that name In the legislature.
They, too, r making a mark by
their work In the lower house anG
each has shown signs of leadership.
X X X
Nonpartisans are frankly happy
over their showing to date in the
house and point with some pride te
the fact that their achievements have
been accomplished under an uruSua,
handicap.
Two Nonpartisans, Peter Keierlebel
of Grant county and H. M. Henrick.
son of McHenry county have beer
absent much of the time because Of
illness. Keierleber has a contagiou.
disease and may not return to hi.
work before the end of the session
Henrickson has been suffering from
ar infection.
The normal division In the house i
SO /. v. AS to SIS NonpartiSanS but
the illness of Keierleber and Hen.
rickson reduced the minority strength
t. So. Despite this fact the Nonpar.
tisans have been able to defeat mos
of the bills Objectionable to them.
But the Nonpartisans were not thu
only one troubled by the illness o.
house members. In the Legislative
whirigig Of last Wednesday. E. r
Helbling, Morton county. left a sick
bed to come to the I. v. A. rescue. HI
was burning with fever and coult
hardly remain at his desk but hunt
OF, grinnly to the end. Then he wen
tn the hospital.
Henrickson was back and fortf
from the house chamber to the hote
three times in answer to emergenc,
calls for help. /.
Probably the most outstanding fea'
ture Of the T~wenty-second legislativ,
assembly soon to become politica
history. Is the breaking down Of mar
row partisan lines. There is not tn.
gull between the two factions that OBJ
tanned . few years ago. This is on
CT the most encouraging signs II
North Dakota. Too often Legislative
measures are forced through upon tn,
spocious plea that they are admins
trative bills" and must go through ii
the interests Of party lines. Their
has been too much Of this argumen,
advanced by the majority leaders Il
the present house. It has reactes
djsastrously. in many instances. to thu
administration.
Second in importance is the mum.
~