The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-03-22
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

The house yesterday indefinitely post
poned the Temple bill, raising liquor liz
cense from $500 and 81 600 to 5000 and
81 200.
Mr.. Comstock, chairman Of the COM
mittee on reapportionment, Introduced
in the house yesterday the bill agreed
upon by the committee, dividing the
state into 81 senatorial districts and Ia
representative districts, The divisions
are substantially the same as predicted
for some time past. Blue Earth county
forms the 10th district and is allowed
her present quota of one senator and
four representatives. The bill was made
the special order for TODAY. ..
There is quite strong feeling against
the bill among the Democratic members
and the members from the southern
part of the state and it is liable TO cause
stormy debate.
The senate killed tie bill which waiv-
ed forfeiture of the swamp land grant of
the Duluth & Winnipeg Railroad Com
pany, alter a battle ofabout seven hours
Yesterday. The debate was the heavI-
est that has been heard in the legislat-
ure this season, for the bill involved
great interests.
The debate began In dignity worth the
measure, and it ended in parliament
tary squabble. The friends of the Du-
luth x Winnipeg were not as many as
had generally been conceded. For two
hours before the vote was taken leaders
on either side claimed to have more
than two or three majority. The final
vote was 20 in favor OF Indefinite post
ponement to Is against Senator Pope
voted against the postponement.
Seuator Pope Tuesday introduced q
bill "to provide for the assessment and
taxation of telegraph and telephone
companies"
1t requires that the president of each
telephone and telegraph COMPANY DO
ing business in t1e state shall furnish to
the state auditor sworn statement OF
the total number of miles ofwIre owned
number of instruments IN use and the
number ofstations operated in the state.
The tax imposed upon the companies
in the state is not stated, with the ex-
ception that it is not to exceed the aver,
age tax imposed upon similar corpora
tions. The bill was sent to the railroad
committee. Senator Hall bobbed up
with another telegraph measure. Il
provides that each company shall apply
for an annual license. The company
shall pay an annual fee of 60 cents pen
mile for the first wire used or operated
80 cents for the second wire, and e
cents for all additional wires. The fees
are to be in lieu ofall other taxes now
imposed upon the companies.
Senator Buchanan introduced q meas
ure repeating the act providing for the
encouragement of fruit culture. The
farm has been disposed of ard the sup
erintendent ofthe farm has since beer
drawing his salary with regularity. The
measure which abolished the office o
superintendent was passed under sus
nersion &c the rules.
Among the reports submitted Tues
day was one from the committee on ed
ucation, which sent up a substitute fol
the three bills introduced on the sub
jeci of teachers certificates and board
of examiners. The bill embodies the
best features of all the others, provides
for the issue Of permanent certificates
and the appointment of II state board Of
examiners. The substitute meets the
approval of the state superintendent
The bill reducing the oil inspectors
salaries has passed both houses. 1t pro-
vides for salary of $1,000 for the chiel
inspector. The deputies, not to exceed
one IN each county, are TO retain so per
cent of the fees until the amount SO re-
tanned equals $50 dollars per month,
thereafter % per cent until 500 per
month is reached, and thereafter 10
per cent, provided that no deputy s sal
airy shall exceed $1,000 per year. The
deputies are TO make sworn reports to
their chief.