Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-03-17
A Letter From Boise City.

BOISE CITY. Idaho, March s, 1893
EDITOR FREE PREss:-The State Legislature
adjourned Monday, after a spirited session in
both houses. 1t Is now a thing of the past
though the evil and good they have done while
making laws for the commonwealth of Idaho
will survive them for many days.
Taking them all in all he members OF the
second state legislature were fine body of
men. ana VIII compare fayorably with those of
other sessions. The Senate was Democratic
and Populist. which elements combined TO eff
iect an organization and worked together on
most lines, while the house was Republican.
Ihe measures that Likely To prove of
much advantage to the State were not numcr
GUS, though some of them are quite important
The State Wagon Road bill was perhaps the
most important, while that relating to the du.
ties ana powers of the State Board Of Equaliza
non, the EDUCATION bill. that provides among
Sher things for a system of free text books and
for the distribution of school moneys upon a
more equitable basis than the last law deserve
special mention. Then, the bill granting Gu
franchisement to the Mormons was good mea-
sure. and one that will meet with the approba-
ton OF the people, regardless of party.
The members from northern Idaho fully jus.
tined the wisdom of their constituents in send
ing them to the legislature. They were a
brainy lot OF men, and did good work in all de-
partments
That old timer, Ben Morris, as a member of
the senate gained the admiration of all and
established reputation for high and honora-
BILE dealing that placed him in the front rank
among his fellow members and gave him
commanding influence in that body. He was
senate contained. Quiet, modest unassuming
he gained the esteem of all, and when the
tiine came Tor him TO strike hard blows for his
cause or to defeat his adversaries he was able
70 DO valiaht service. IL was largely owing To
his wise management that the wagon road bill
passed the senate. lie aided in passing the
Lewiston Normal school bill and when the ap-
portionment bill Us adopted by the house, pro
VlClng ior one senator IRON each county, and
doing away with joint members, he ably adyo-
ted It's passage but could not carry some of the
stubborn fellows with him. He was also the
friend OF the disfrancnised Mormons. lie took
ana advocated strongly the position that the
eniranchised Mormons in Bingham, Bannock,
Fremont, Bear Lake, ami oneida should be
recognized III the apportionmeut while May
new Neill and kuick fought him bitterly on
the proposition, and talked out the closing
hours OF the session. thereby defeating the bill
ana leaving three new counties without repre-
sentation i'll the next legislature. Mr.. Morris
has many friends here who are proud of him.
and of the record he made this winter in the
legislature.
Ward Girton, member of the house from Ida
no county, did good work. and proved himself
came before him. He is plain, blunt man, a
man OF the rank and file of the people, and de-
serves credit tor his work in the legislature
this session.
II Is much to be regretted that the legislature
ialled 10 pass an apportionuent bill, Is we are
stltutiohai apportionment, and this, is well
known, fails To give representation to our rap
idly Increasing population.
what boise now wants more than anything
else Is competing line OF railroad. and indi
cations are tnat this want will be supplied in
the not very distant future The wagon road
establishes n line OF communication between
nortn aud south Idaho, and we are glad to be
thus brought nearer to Camas prae, which we
all know is the garden spot Of Idaho,