The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-01-26
MONTANA LEGISLATURE.
House.

House.
AFTERNOON SESSION, Jan. 20.
The House went into committee OF the Whole on
81. B. 2, to authorize the issuance of county warrants
in certain cases. The first section was read, and q de-
bate ensued in which Cullen defended the provision
to allow for q duplication of warrants which had been
destroyed ; the County Commissioners were the prop
er tribunal for such claims, and certainly the destruct-
ion of such paper did not pay the debt of the county
to individuals
Beach was in favor of special relief bills through
the Legislature; they would be less harmful than a
general law, which was easily abused.
Blake defended the law, such laws were on every
statute book in the Union; no harm could result from
such q bill.
Beach asked whether the payment of the duplicate
would discharge the obligation of the county to the
owner of the original.
Blake said that it would not; but the manner and
condition of payment would be regulated by law.
The first section was adopted. Section 2, 8, and 4
were consecutiyely read and adopted
The fifth section provides that when the original is
presented, after q duplicate has been paid, the Treas
urer shall tlrn over to him the bond Of indemnity
given when the duplicate was issued.
DeWolf offered an amendment, adding that the &C
ceptance Of the bond shall not release the county,
upon the refusal of the bondsman to pay the same.
Considerable discussion ensued, but the sections
were finally adopted. Section 6 was amended by
striking out 'mislaid" and inserting destroyed. The
bill as amended was adopted, and the committee rose.
A communication was received from the Governor
relative to q proposition OF publishers for uniform
text books for public schools.
Adjourned.
Council.
MORNING SESSION, January 2T.
A d%esultory debate over a proposition of a commit
tee to visit the Insane asylum was closed by the adop-
ton of an amendment to the effect that members OF
said committee receive the same fee and mileage that is
allowed to officers in transporting the insane to the
asylum. TIE bill as amended was adopted.
An act authorizing the refunding of Madison Coun-
tys outstanding debt was passed.
An act to prescribe the fees of the witnesses and
jurors In Probate courts was read a third time and
passed.
AFTERNOON SESSION. January 81.
After some ~unimportant business, the Council
heard q communication from the Judges of the SD
preme Court. 1t asked that o suitable place be provi-
ded for the transcript of decisions and other records of
the Supreme Court, which had greatly accumulated.
They We're now stored away in boxes. They were
liable 10 destruction from various causes. They
should be arranged go that they be easily referred to.
Referred to Ways and Means COMMITTEES.
House.
MORNING SESSION, January FL.
The report of the committee on Federal relations
relative to the enlargement of the Penltentia,y was
adopted.
Much time was taken up with the discussion of
private bills and un1mportant business, until Humber
offered a concurrent resolution for adjournment sine
die on the 18th Of February,
DeWolf thought the action premature, as the House
had only entered upon its duties. Congress had au-
thorized an extension OF the session from forty to six
ty days.
Blake said the law would not apply to this session
unless it contained 8 special clause to that effect. He
satisfied that the necessary work of the session
could be performed in forty days, and he was willing
to work day and night to that end.
Corbly moved the previous question. 1t was not
Cullen hoped the resolution would not pass. The
required legislation in many respects. and
there is nothing more to be deplored than hasty legis-
latlon. They should look more to the quality than
the quantity Of their work. New conditions are aris-
two railroads have entered upon our soil; our
population 1s growing and corresponding duties are
visited upon the Legislature. He had no doubt that
the law applied to the present session.
Sedman briefly supported the resolution. Good
progress had been made, and he saw no obstacle to
the completion Of the business in forty days.
Blake said the Executive, in his message, could
only find fifteen topics calling for legislation. His
(the speaker's) observation had been that the less leg
islation they had the better.
Cullen was glad that Blake and the Governor were
again in harmony; but he feared that the latter NAV
have overlooked some measures of needed legislation.
The ayes and noes Were had and The resolution was
lost II to Is.
Bills were introduced by Stedman, to amend the act
for the preservation of game.
By Donnellyf for the funding of the outstanding debt
of Choteau county. Referred.
a. 3. 8; to establish rate OF interest on Territorial
and county warrants came up as the special order,
and it was agreed it should be considered in the COM
mittee Of the whole. Adjourned.
Council.
Morning SESSION, January %. "a
The usual preliminary business was finished and q
communication from the House on varions bills was
received.
Kerley was appointed on the joint committee to
visit the insane asylum.
The afternoon session Waa adjourned as soon as
opened. to admit of committee work.
House.
MORNING SESSION, January 20.
A communication was received from the Auditor
stating that the reports Of the two railroads now In
the Territory had not been made because blanks had
not been furnished.
4 petition from James Fergus Il Sons relative to
british Indians IN Montana. ASKING that they be re-