The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-19
The Present County Officers Will
Continue to Receive Fees
Until Jan. 1, 1893.
The Eight Hour Bill Will Como Up
for Discussion This
Morning.
A New Registration Bill Introduced IN
tho Senate-WHI IL he Eight
Hours?

il was recommended for final passage by
the committee of the whole. The only
that aroused argument after
the salaries OF officers were fixed came NO
wben Mr.. Frank moved that the bill take
effect on Jan. 1. 1888, except for the treas
prer whose salary will begin on March J.,
1898.
MI. Wallace began the discussion against
the amendment. He said that he had esti-
mates to show that the loss to the state by
the adoption of the amendment would
reach $4,000 a year or $140.oO0in two years.
This he said was u matter OF pubic I'M
~portance. The present county oincers are
mostly those who were in Office during the
last wear Of the territory. Two arguments
will doubtless be presented for the amend
ment. One that ~ n matter Of equity the
officers should work under the fsessystem
until 1893: the other that it was unconstitu-
tionaI to place the bill into effect imrnedi-
ately. He showed that the same con-
tineepcy 80 far rs the equity of the matter
was concerned had arisen before, and he
quoted from the constitution and made an
to show that the bill in its pres
ent form was constitutional beyond ques-
ton:
Mr.. Frank in supporting mis- amendment
said that the officers began their duties with
an implied contract with the state that
thew were to serve their terms under the
present fec system. They had gone through
two campaigns in two years. and had been
under very heavy expenses. he beiieved
that they should be allowed 70 serve their
terms out under the present system on the
broad plane of honesty and as matter OF
equity. He had an opinion prepared by an
able iawver in Helena, which reached a con-
clusion exactly opposite to the opinion ad-
vanced by MIR. Wallace as to the constItu-
tionelity of the amendment.
"Was the opinion prepared by q lawyer
paid for that purpose!" asked Mr.. Toole.
at cost Ave hundred dollars" replied
Mr.. Greenough.
Mr.. Beach introduced an amendment to
Mr.. Franks amendment providing that the
bill take effect Immediately after passage.
He heartily concurred with Nr. W2liace's
arguments that az a matter of economy to
the state the bill should go into effect at
once. lie said it was @ question OF whether
the representatives were indebted to the
officers of the tax payers.
Mr., Roberts, Mr.. Howey and Mr.. Ming
spoke in favor of Mr.. Franks amendment.
Mr.. Beach's amendment was defeated by
a large majority and Mr. Franks amend
mept was passed by a vote OF 81 to u.
The county officers in the lobby smiled
and adjourned for r bottle of win and the
representatives rejoiced that the matter
was finally disposed of.
The passage of the amendment gives
general satisfactionto all who have watched
the bill. The county officers who have
been in Helena several days have conducted
a vigorous but fair fight against the clause
providing for the bill to take immediate
effect. and they have presented many potent
arguments for their side.
The e%ight-hour bill which will come up
at II O'Clock this morning on a special or
der will doubtless bring forth pyrotechnic
flights of lurid oratory. 1t is known that
several representatives, nave been busiiy at
work preparing speeches for the OCCASION.
Petitions will be read for and against the
bill and the discussion will be general.
Some one may get mad before the order is
finished, though it is hoped that the dis
cussion will be finished without an exhibit
ton of amenities. Another petition against
the bill was received from mine owners
YESTERDAY. 1t ia similar to the one present
ed some time ago. and Is signed by the
Granite Aountain company by Supt.
Thomas Weir: the Bi-Metaliic company by
Supt. James b. RiGgell: Elizabeth ompan
by Supt. W. d. Dodds; PI-Metallic Exten-
sion company by Snpt. James Patten; Mon
tana company Cimited) by Resident Man
ager K. I. bayliss. Among the visitors to
tine house yesterday were George W. Irwin.
of Butte, and James Giifilian, president of
the Miners union of Granite.
The special committee to whom was re-
ferred Mr.. Higgins bill locating state in
stitutions reported the bill yesterday with
out recommendation. The committee
recommends that no state institutions be
located until the next session o? the leqis-
iature. Jwo-thiTds Of the committee voted
in favor of the report, though no mlnoritJ
report was handed II. 1t is about settled
that no institutions will be located With thu
possible exception OF tina agricultural col
Ieee. The stste viii be deprived Of a gool
deal of money II this location IS not made
this year. Dillon is now 4 prominent can
didate for the state normal school. Mr.. q
Il. Melton. of th4t pleasant little burg, !
lobbying for legislation that will bring til
school 70 Dillon. He says southern Mou
tana 10 certainly entitled 20 something an
he thinks no better location could be founr
for the school than Dillon. Twln Bridges
which is twenty miles from Dillon. is stiI
represented in the lobby by Prof. Riley.
The following house committee recon
mendstions were handed III: No. 81. I
protect certain squirrel and mice destroy
ing animals: No. 90, to protect grasses an
forests from destruction by fire: senate bi
q. concerning estreys on public lands; ser
ate bill Is, to amend an act for the paymeI
of bounties for the killing OF certain stoc
destroying animal: No. 40. TO protet
keepers Of hotels, inns and bosrdIn
houses; senate bill "a, to create the office {
marshal Of the United 6tGtes court: senat
bill IL. to provide for furnishing supplies
state officers, with an amendment.
In committee of the whole the hoe;
recommended the following appropriate
bills: To pay salaries Of officers and men
berD with mileage for the first legisIsti-
assembly: appropriatine f84,3G7.41 to DR.
M~ussigbroi and Mitchell for care IF the il
sane from Jan. /. 1880. to Feb. !. 1891: a,
propriatIng money TO, the relief of A.
Writer and the silver Bow reprezentativ
who returned home and for legislative of
Gers: for Montana library; for the relief
Jessie +. Stafford and A. Z. Brown.
The following house bills we're introduce
BY Mr. Toole, 3O-An act appropriate
money for ordinary expenses Of state &c
70 for the fiscal years ending Il
and 1892.
By Mr.. Pool, 31-An act to amend q,
lion 719 of the fifth division Of the col
piled statutes of Montana.
BY Mr. Norton, 32-An act to attach C
tain portions of the Northern Pacific n
road and the Rocky Fork 4 Cooke G.
railroad rights of way to the county
Yellowstone for Judicial purposes and Il