The Bismarck tribune., 1934-07-19
ONLY 18SENATORS
RESPOND TO CALL
OF EX-GOVERNOR
66 Representatives Absent; 81
Present In Defiance Of
Acting Executive
SENATE WILL MEET FRIDAY
Faction Leaders to Make Effort
to Bring All Members to
Bismarck

The effort 10 convene North Da-
kotas general assembly, despite the
proclamation Of Acting Governor Ole
H. Olson revoking the call for the
session, apparently proved abortive
Thursday.
After brief session Of the house
and the failure Of the LANCER faction
senators to secure quorum, the two
assemblies adjourned to reconvene
again Friday. Only IL senator's were
present.
LANCER is expected to appear before
the legislature Friday.
Olson Opens Chambers
Early In the day Olson had indi-
Gated his intention Of locking the
doors to the senate and house cham
Der and using the National Guard to
prevent the proposed session being
held there.
Later, however, this plan was
changed and the doors were open
when 81 house members and 10 SEN
ators arrived at noon, pursuant to the
call issued by william LANCER, former
governor. On the doors were posted
copies of Olsons proclamation calling
off the session.
The 18 who answered the roll call
in the senate was less than q quorum.
This fact was severe shock to the
LANCER adherents who had expected
to muster much more than . major
aty In both the house and senate.
Olson, in the executive office, paid
no attention to the assembly. His
view is that the session is illegal and
he will refuse to recognize 1t.
Meet Of Own Initiative
A resolution, adopted by the house,
IS to 8, held that the assembly was
convened on its own initiative as well
as pursuant to Langer's special session
call and declared "a condition Of
emergency exists through this state
concerning the rights. the powers and
duties Of th9 governor Of this state,
lieutenant governor, and other state
end judicial officers, which Is occa-
sioning uncertainty, alarm and may
lead to conflict between the citizens
OF our state concerning their respect
i've powers and duties"
The right Of the legislature 70 meet
in the face Of proclamation by Olson
levoking Langer'S special call was
questioned at least by some members
who came here and refused to partici-
gate in the deliberations
The sergeants-at-arms Of the as
6emblies were instructed to advise ab-
sent members to attend.
To Wait on "Governor"
A committee was named to wait on
che governor, but the motion did not
specify which Of the two men claim
ing the governorship was meant.
The assemblies apparently recognize
LANCER as governor and % indicated
in the resolution adopted by the house
which referred to the sessions % con-
vened pursuant to LAnger's cau and
also by its own power.
One Of Olson's first acts Thursday
was to order the doors OF the assem-
bly, chambers closed and locked and
to instruct Adjutant General Sarles
to assist the building custodian In
seeing that no damage occurred. On
the doors were posted copies Of Oh
cons proclamation calling off the
session.
Later, however, the order to lock
the doors was rescinded. Olson ex-
planning that he sought to avoid
s'even . semblance Of force"
Olson had no trouble whatever In
gaining possession Of the office. When
he appeared only few stenographers.
hired by LANCER. were on hand. The
situation differed markedly from that
Of Tuesday night when LANCER and
some IS Of his associates held forth
in there, even though the supreme
court had ruled LANCER ineligible to
hold office.
In the senate 10 members out of -
we're present, and discussion immedi-
ately began on whether It could be
declared legally convened.
Those present In both houses were
ardent supporters Of LAnger, who
went into seclusion after the state 81.
preme court held him disqualified to
hold office and declared the duties Of
the office devolve on ol.on.
Independents Not Present
L. Z. Twichell, head Of the indepen-
dent Republican wing In the house,
announced members Of that faction
would not attend the session.
Indications that the Langer-con-
trolled trump" Legislature. defying the
supreme court order which holds Oh
son Is the legal governor. would at.
tempt to impeAch Officials and pos
slbly judges unfriendly 10 LAnger were
given m the senate.