The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-02-23
IEoisLATlvE NOTES.
lts0s Rsgardins the Doinss Of LEGISLATOR
u the Onpitol.

4
- the Onpitol.
A movement for good roads was
started by Mi. Greer, when he intro.
duced = bin looking to that end. This
bill provides for the appointment Of
three commissioners, one Of whom shall
be an experienced and practical civil
engineer.
The duties of the commission are to
visit the several counties of the state,
investigate the leading highways, as
certain as fully as possible the relative
merits and defects of our common roads
and Of our present system of road maxi
ing, repair and maintenance of same as
compared with the system of road max
ing practiced in other states and coun-
tries; also to ascertain the location of
quarries and deposits of stone. gravel
and other material which, In the iudg-
ment OF the commission may be suit.
able and proper. for the construction
and maintenance of firm and durable
roadways; to further inquire, investi.
gate and determine whether the con-
victs confined in the penal institutions
OF this state can be employed in any
practical way in the work of improving
the common roads, or IN the making of
drain tile, other material or utensils
generally used in the work of making
or repairing common roads; to investi-
gate generally! the subject of building
and maintaining of public roads, in
Guiding the cost thereof according to
the various best methods now in use; to
make and fully report in detail the re-
suits OF their investigation with their
recommendation to the next incoming
legislature.
l. Five thousand dollars, or so much
thereof as is necessary, is to- be appro-
priated to carry into effect the provision
Of this act.
Senator Eaton is very earnest in sup.
port Of his proposition to amend the
constitution to limit sessions to 60 DAYS
biennially, holding that 60 days is plen-
| ty of time in which to complete the
work of a session. He calls attention
to the fact that Sundays and holidays
are not counted as sitting days, and that
at present it is possible to remain in
session los or ITO days, and receive pay
for that time.
-.
Tho people Of the state are becoming
greatly aroused over the railroad land
taxation bill now pending in the senate.
Fear is expressed that it may be killed
In the senate by reason of the belief
that some senators entertain that it will
Cipe out the gross earnings tax. Sena-
tor Morse is one who is of this opinion.
Senator John Day Smith said that he
had not yet made legal Investigation
OF the subject, but was afraid the bill
would SO operate. Otherwise he did not
think any senator would hesitate to
vote for the Markham bill.
There has not been an appointment
for meeting in the house yet when a
quorum has failed to be present, which
fact is largely due to the unfailinp
promptness of Speaker Lee. The ses-
sions are begun at the stroke of the
clock and everybody knows the coach
Is to start on time, and all govern them
selves accordingly.
-.
When the senate bill appropriating
500, 900 for the worlds fair came up in
the house, there was considerable ex-
planning done by the members regard
ing their votes. But the house con.
cluded to send the measure to the gov
error for his signature by a vote of II
ayes to 81 nays. Six were absent OF
not voting.
~
The house committee on legislative
expenses killed the Nelson resolution
on house grain investigation appropri-
ating $4,000 therefor. The committee
also recommended the indefinite post
ponement of the Woodbridge bill, fixing
the per diem of legislators.
The committee on normal schools rec
commended that the bill appropriatinp
money to supply the deficit in the fund
OF the Moorhead normal school be in
definitely postponed. The Mankato
bill was recommended for passage,
-
both houses the 18th visited the pris-
on at Saltwater.
John Day Smith has g measure he
will fight to an issue. II is to prevent
docking horses tails.
The governor presented an Endorsed
statement Of Chief Engineer Alex Nicoll
of the capitol, asking for the appropri-
alton of $1,000 to increase the heating
facilities of the capitol The bill was
passed by both houses.
~.
There are 100 more bills introduced
In the house than at the same time two
years ago.
A bill was introduced providing for
commissioner of immigration. BY the
bill the first commissioner is to be an
pointed by the governor, but his sue
cessor is to be elected by the people at
the state election in 1894. The COM
missioner shall have the general charge
OF all state lands and keep the books of
record open to the public inspection. It
shall also be the duty of the commits
sioner to encourage the permanent SET
lement and improvement of all sections
OF the state. His salary is fixed at S.
900, and he Is allowed one clerk and
necessary Office expenses.
Senator Tawney's bill for an act to
protect the people of the state of Min
nesota against the importation of acute
contagious diseases by the regulation
of interstate emigration, provides that
the state board of health may establish
q system of quarantine against the in
PRODUCTION of pestilential diseases. by
the various railway and navigation
companies doing business In the trans
portation of passengers across the Dor
ders of the state, or any vessel entering