The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-03-13
THE LEGISLATURE.

The Fourteenth Regular Session Of the
Legislative Assembly Of Montana expired
last night by limitation. The present session
Is held under the act Of Congress of Dec %,
1880, extending the limitation of duration
from forty to sixty days. We believe the
forty day limitation was best. All requisite
legislation can be thoroughly considered,
matured and acted upon within that time
| IL the Legislature goes to work when 1t Coz
ysnss and keeps 1t up. "Sixty days" sug-
Rests plenty OF time; the Legislature starts in
taking things easy, gets into the sasy-going
way, and keeps 1t up. It is no additional ex-
pense to the Territory to have these long
sessions, but we believe shorter ones would
be better.
Up to the past ten days few acts had pass
cd, and up to the present none have been
published; SO it il premature to pronounce
decidedly upon ia work We do net think,
however, its net results will be very imper-
tant. There were larger number of mex
perienced members than usual, and the per-
centage Of energetic, working, leading spir-
its, was small. "New blood" is good thing
in its way, but there should be large els-
ment Of experienced members in delibsra-
tive ass smbly, especially a legislative assem-
bly,, to give work energetic and systematic
direction, and divest 1t Of crudities and in
constituencies before final action. Already
the vetoes Of the Governor have developed
ssme Of these in enacted bills, and We appre-
hend yet many others will appear when the
acts arc published. Competent persons who
have been attentive observers OF men and
events in the Legislature, have said to us the
Legislature is composed Of good men, but
that 1t Is open to the criticism we have made
The stock men have held the preponder-
ance Of power. They have had drafted and
have secured the passage Of considerable
legislation for the protection and advance
ment Of their interests, but they have not
sought to extend the effect Of laws OF special
interest to them only into other than stock
counties, and have exercised their pswer
fairly. The veterinary surgeon, quarantine |
and contagious disease bill Is, we believe, |
the only one that can entail expense on the |
Territory, and under the circumstances that |
can occur 1t Is proper the Territory should |
be subject to 1t, and with the restrictions and |
provisions that guard 1t, we have no appre- |
hension it's purpose will be abused. While
we thoroughly believe the provisions of our |
laws relating TO the taxation OF mines are cor. |
rect, we As fully believe tho purpose to pro-
tsct the stock interest is correct, and trust IL |
has found expression in careful legis-
latisn.
The reformatory measures Of the session
have met unequal fates. The Participating
bill appears to have passed in form that
win suppress net emily brutal exhibitions, but
,windhng hippodromes. The wsman-b beat
ing bin met Its defeat, not perhaps so much
rom any sympathy for e-beaters, a q
sentimental indispositien to re-estahlish the
plllory. The prohibitoIy gambling bill was
killed, and ut this writing II Is not certain
hat even the mild substitute proposed by
he Council judiciary committee passed. A
establishing extreme high license,
gambling from street rooms, de-
Earring minors from playing In or frequent
ng the rooms, and shutting OF the swindling
Der csntage games, should have passed.
The indications were yesterday that no
printing law would be passed. although sew
'ral bills were before the Legislature In one
orm or another. III
A number OF economic measures wsre in
reduced. Ono reducing pay 10 sherif1s fer
convicts from jails to peniten-
larry, aud another reducing pay Of shsrif1i
or keeping prisoners, became laws. Another .
salaries instead Of fees for coun- :
y officers. became law yesterday. While
b advocates are very sanguine Of It's prac-
lcal economy, we have doubts on the point,
nd still moro serious snes - 70 whether the !