Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-02-15
THE LEGISLATURE.

The Senate did no work Monday
besides receiving reports OF committees
and the passage of hill making it q
mi>demeanor to kill singing birds.
Belknap gave notice that he would
move a reconsideration IF the vote by
which the bill passed.
The Senate adjourned to allow the
joint tide land committee, having I'M
der consideration the Tacoma water
front, an opportunity to occupy the
Senate chamber. The committee re-
manned in session all the afternoon.
Senator Hutchinson having been
married Sunday to Mrs. Marguerite
Hayes, the members INDUCED in the
usual badinage on the event.
In the House, Monday, various petit
tions were presented, among which
were one by Scobey from citizens OF
Thurston county praying for an act to
reduce the salaries and fees of county
officers one-third, and for the passage
of a resolution submitting a constitu-
tional amendment To reduce the sala-
ries of Stale officers in like proper.
ton.
Also a petition praying an act to
prohibit deficiency judgments.
One praying amendment of the
school law prohibiting school districts
from mourning bonded Indebtedness,
and to limit those entitled to vote on
special taxation to freeholders.
And one praying for some provision
for arbitration when damages are
claimed.
And one asking for amendment of
the road law so as to enable road SUI
pervisors to perform road-work with
out the delay and cost of supervision
by the commissioners, and provision
that the pay of supervisors shall not
exceed " per day.
Bills were introduced by Scobey in
accordance with these petitions; also
bill limiting the rate of levy for
county, municipal and school pur-
poses.
Scobey introduced likewise a bill
providing for an inheritance tax from
! of one per cent on an inheritance of
from $4,000 to $4,000, to 25 per
cent. on one Of $2O,OOOOOO or more.
The fund created shall be used as
general road fund.
At the afternoon session it was
shown how easy it is to consume valu-
able time in the attempt to farm out
easy positions as reward for party
service to the clamorous ward politi.
clans who have helped to seat their
member. Halteman, of Jefferson,
Chairman of the committee on En-
rolled Bills, introduced q resolution
declaring that the enrolment of bills
had become . serious burden to the
present clerical force under the COM
mittees control, and asked the ap-
pointment of three additional scribes,
naming them from his henchmen,
who have been standing like Oliver
Twist with their spoons extended, ever
since the session began. Cline, of
Whatcom, objected. He could see no
reason for the appointment of so
many clerks and he proceeded to in
terrogate Halteman IS follows:
How many bills have you to en-
Halteman-"A About Dozen"
Cline" How many clerks have you
to do the work."
Halteman-" One"
Cline" Has not that clerk an as.
sistant.
mo answer from Halteman.)
Cline. TO the Speaker)-"M Mr..
Speaker, was there not apportioned an
assistant for the Enrolling Clerk"
Mr.. Speaker" There was"
Cline TO HaltemaE} "How many
hours do your clerks work"
From 9 A. N. to 4
P. NJ"
Cline-"Is there not some way by
which more than six hours labor per
day can be exacted from these clerks"
mo answer.)
The resolution was amended by
striking out the names suggested and
amended to read zone clerk" and
adopted.
Then . squabble began ~ 10 who
should receive the place. Halteman
nominated one of his henchmen-
Van Bokkelen. Four other members
had friends to reward and suggested
names. Mr.. Minis appeared rs the
champion OF Mrs. Mann, whom he
represented as deserving widow.
An appeal was then made by several
ring politicians to let Halteman name
the man, as he and his committee
would be responsible for tho work
done. Several members declared that
that consideration had not been shown
them when clerks were assigned to
their committees.
The vote, however, indicated that
party fuglemen must be provided for,
and VanBokkelen received IS votes to
Is for Mrs. Mann, all the other names
having been Withdrawn under the
stimulus of the party whip.
About an hour of the time that
should have been devoted to the inn
portant duties of the session was thus
frittered away, in an endeavor TO ap-
point three clerks to do work that
could have been easily performed by
the force already provided.
Miller's bill appropriating $3.50
for printing 1900 copies of the re-
port of the State Board of Horticul.
ture passed.
The Senate started in on the memo
rial for free coinage OF American silver
at ratio of 16 to l, Tuesday morning,
a. If its adoption would settle the
"vexed question" for all time. After
much discussion, the preamble was
stricken out and the memorial failed
to pass by vote of Ii to IA, requiring
. majority which would have been Is
TO pass. Thus doth the &. o. p. live up
TO the promises made in its platform.
The following were introduced,
numbered from PIG to 223 inclusive:
Van Houten, requiring municipalities
to take bonds for the execution of
public work by contract; also an act
requiring State Auditor to audit bills of
all State institutions; and one relating
to the assessment and collection OF
taxes.
Sergeant, amending the laws in re-
lation to corporations.
Foss to define and punish obstruc.
ton to railroads; also bill 10 protect
credits.
Belknap to provide for voting on q
constitutional amendment repeating
section 80, article 2, of the constitution,
f0rbidding public officers to use passes.
Lesh to establish an immigration
commission.