Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-01-15

siding officer of the House, would en-
deavor to impartially discharEe his
duties and give the minority party all
due recognition. Two years ago there
was a political war on hand all the
time, but as it is wholly one sided this
year things have already started off
smoothly. The joint caucus has been
held and Senator Vest was unani-
mously nominated by acclamation.
The honor of placing his name before
the caucus was conferred upon State
Senator Jasper n. Burks who accquit-
ted himself creditably to say the least.
A number of Southeast Missourians
who heard his short but eloquent ad-
dress pronounced it the best he ever
delivered. When the name of Vest
was mentioned there was deafening
applause. Before the meeting adjourn
ed there were three rousing cheers for
him which almost shook the walls of
the capitol building.
On Friday Mr.. Stewart of Buchanan
county offered a resolution condemn
ing the Force bill now pending in the
U. S. Senate. 1t created heated dis
| sion, but was adopted.
A number of bills have already been
introduced in both branches of the
legislature. A very stringent measure
has been introduced in the House re-
garding grist mills. 1t provides that
all mills shall be declared public mills
and that the owners thereof shall give
bond. There is heavy penalty for
| violation of the law. The bill has not
yet been printed, hence can give you
| but few points of it.
There has been another bill intro
duced, the provisions of which compel
creditors and others to return all their
property to the assessor. 1t requires
every one holding notes, bonds, evil
dences of Indebtedness, ETC., whether
good or bad, to make complete list of
same to the assessor, together with the
rate of interest, etc., and, as penalty,
it is provided that any evidence of in
debtedness not SO returned shall be
declared void and no suit shall be
same. 1t is further provided that such
evidence of Indebtedness not returned
to the assessor shall be non-negotiable
and the person who sells them shall.
upon conviction, be adjudged guilty of
obtaining money under false pretenses
and sentenced to the penitentiary. In
regard to other classes of property not
returned to the assessor, the bill denies
such individual the right to establish
ownership in the courts, in addition
to being liable to prosecution for per-
jury. Boards of equalization are re-
quired to examine into worthless
securities and strike the same from the
assessed valuation.
Several bills have been introduced
providing for a uniformity of text
books for public schools. This is go
ing to be very difficult problem to
solve, as no two members have the
same idea as to what is best to do.
There will be a great mum Der of bills
introduced within the next few days,
and ere the committees are appointed
they will find plenty of work for them.
However, the Speaker will not be able
announce his committees before the
latter part of next week. There is a
lively scramble for the various chair
manships.
On last Thursday night the legis-
lators were all invited to the executive
mansion to spend the evening with
Governor Francis.
Fearing I have written too much
and hoping to be able to give you
something more interesting in my
next, remain, Respectfully,
NJ. r.