The Columbus journal., 1879-02-12
Legislatlve Business,

of the session.
Legislative Business.
Both houses re-assembled on the
4th, and the death of senator Bun
nell being announced in the senate
and communicated to the house, the
usual proceedings were taken, reso-
lutions of respect for the deceased
passed, and the senate resolved to
attend his funeral in a body, and
thereupen adjourned until Wednes-
day at 3 O'Clock. The house trans
acted no business of importance, and
out Of respect for the deceased, sd-
journed until Wednesday morning.
Senator Brown has introduced a
bill making jurors in criminal cases
judges Of the law and the fact. To
complete the legislation Mr.. Brown
should now Introduce a bill to abol-
ish the Office of District Judge, sc.
The committee to investigate the
alleged charges against Fairfield,
chancellor of the State University,
met on Tuesday the 4th, to begin the
inquiry. Senator Brown conducted
the examination on the part of the
committee. Chancellor Fairfield
was present, assisted by Hon. 6. w.
Ambrose. Mr.. Brooks Of the Omaha
Republican was examined under
oath.
The Mcbride investigating COM
mittee was in session on the 4th.
Several bankers were examined, one
of whom said that when be heard
that Mcbride had lost by the banks
holding deposits he voluntarily sent
him 5000.
The prohibition liquor bill came
up in the house on the 9th, and was
discussed at some length, read a
third time, put on its passage, and
defeated. Forty votes in favor of
the bill and thirty-nine against it. 1t
required forty-three votes to pass.
Funds belonging to the Insane
Hospital have accumulated in the
state treasury to the amount of $780,
600 without any authority to draw
on it. Mr.. Clarkson offered a reso-
luton that this fund be transferred
to the general fund of the state.
The capital appropriation bill of
100000 at the present writing is in
the hands of the senate committee
on public lands and buildings.
A bill to organize state board OF
immigration, consisting of the goy-
ernor aud chief officers of the state,
with clerk, at 81, 1000 per year was
read in the senate a second time on
the 9Th.
Mr.. Howe has introduced bill in
the senate to regulate the traffic i'm
liquor. Itprovides local option, and
fixes the license-fee for the sale of
spirituous liquors of all kinds at
from $500 to 81 200 in precincts. In
cities of the first class, $1,000 to
$4,000. License for beer $500 to
$1,000.
Nothing of very great Importance
occurred in this body Oh the Sth ex-
cept that the conference committee
on the revision of the statutes COM
pleted its labors.
In the senate on the Sth, the COM
mittee on public lands and buildings
submitted two reports. The major
ity report, signed by all of the COM
mittee except Senator Ley of the
l1th district, recommended the pas
sage of the capital bill without
amendment. Mr.. Ley set forth
reasons why the bill shoull not pass,
and suggested a sufficient appro-
priation to extend the northern
portion of the present building, so
that the senate chamber will be made
large enough for the use of the
house, and two additional offices
will be afforded for the use of the
state offices.
The Howe license law was refer
red to a special committee composed
of Messrs. Howe, Seaman, Scoville,
Hayden and Cheney--all strong
temperance men.
A very interesting proposition has
been made to the senate, and re-
ported to a special committee with
a view to offer inducements for the
planting of continuous rows of trees
six in mum beron the north line of
each quarter section. The object
being to create continuous rows
throughout the state from east to
west to operate as windbreaks.
This measure if adopted and carried
out would be of incalcuiable benefit
to the state. A committee consist
ing of Senators Dorsey, Clarkson,
Beck and Otterstein, shall have the
matter under consideration and will
report in day or two.
Judging from the manner in which
members are disposing of the busi-
ness before them the past week,
they are working hard to wade
through the matters pending, as the
time draws near to close up the