Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-02-16

WusA the mousse On the same after
noon acted on . measure ealing Tor 3
nnzipartisan county ballot and q bin
making legislators ineligible during the
terms for which they are elected to
receive state appointments tl1as funda-
mental question Of politics was at issue.
The first Of these two proposals. HB
III. met death when a motion 10 In
definitely postpone further consideraa-
ton was adopted. The committee that
reviewed the measure brought in two
reports, the majority recommending
nonpaSsage.
Many speeches were made before the
bin was disposed Of Representative Me-
Laugilin Of RavaTIi county was more
than slightly entertaining as he ex-
pressed his support OF the bin re re-
called that for "A years he ran for
office on party tickets before he was
elected. He indicated that he has had
the suspicion that there is such a thing
as prejudice in politics
Stevens Of Cascade was one Of those
who insisted party government is neces-
sary. There was even talk 10 the effect
that unless the party idea is perpet-
uated there is danger Of entire collapse
What is quite obvious and yet seldom
admitted in open debate was injected
when it was made plain that the po-
liticaI advantage, does not wish TO go
to a nonpartisan ballot, for fear mem
bers Of the other party win thus get
into office. Beyond doubt, this conten-
ton has practical merit, even though
It may be objected to on certain
grounds.
The other bill of this nature, SB 1, !
survived the committee Of the whole /
but the measure had to weather a seri-
GUS storm. Regardless Of what else may
be said, the real purpose of the bin is |
to keep legislators during the terms for |
which they are chosen from getting on /
the state payroll elsewhere. Behind this |
Is the chief point-that legislators, de-
prived of the personal incentive, viii /
not as easily be influenced by the ad-
power of the government. /
SB has already had hectic career,
It was long in the senate. Then, when /
It came out Of the committee. It had
W SURVIVE a LA4tALt1A 0AtlAEs Al
tee Of the whole there was less of
fight but drastic amendments expand
ing the scope Of the measure we're
made. Melton Of Beaverhead, who with
Parxin Of GaIIatin introduced the bin,
got it back on general file and sue
ceeded in extracting amendments made
the previous day In that form the bill
went to the house.
The house committee on state boards
and officers was not at all hasty in
reporting out the bill. So, on motion
of Melton Of Beaverhead, the bill was
taken from the committe and referred
10 general orders. Burris Of Deer Lodge,
chairman Of the committee on state
boards and officers, was far from
pleased when the bill was taken from
his committee. Accordingly, he pre-
pared to fight the measure in commit
Zee of the whole.
When in committee Of the whole Bal
ard Of Wibaux got in an amendment
legislators from writing
;tate fire insurance, q factor was in
Iected that probably viii cause the
senate to balk. A provision of similar
intent but phrased in greater generality
vas removed by the upper body. Hence,
t is not to be expected that the senate
will easily swallow, If at all, the amend
nents hitting fire insurance agents who
Happen to be members of the state as
embly. It is a likely supposition that
he bill win have to go to conference
Opponents of the measure viii well