The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-02-21
MISSOURI LEGISLATURE,

MISSOURI LEGISLATURE
Representative McIneyre, Of Au'
drain, introduced a bill leaving 4
optional with juries where the de-
PENDANTS have Deen found guilty O.
murder In the frst degree to provide
whether the death penalty shall bt
passed or whether the prisoner shal
be imprisoned for life.
Representative Anderson, OF Mon
roe county, introduced a bill appro.
priating $1,000 to purchase life -sized
busts o Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses
8. Grant and Robert e. Lee for the
hall OF the house Of representatives
Speaker Russell by the terms of the
bill is directed to make the purchase
and 1t is further provided that the
bust Of Lincoln shall have the posi-
tion Of honor, with the bust Of Grant
on the right and that Of Lee on the
left.
The board of railroad commission
ers sent reply to the house to Rep
resentative Davidson's resolution
calling on them for information as
to why the charges Of express com
panies have not been regulated.
The communication recites the act
requiring the commissioners to regu-
late express charges went into effect
June 81, 1893, and thereafter, on d.
vers occasions and in sundry man
ners, the commissioners sought to
have enforced general order max
ing a reduction Of 10 per cent on
merchandise rates and general
specials" which includes poultry,
eggs and various agricultural prod
ucts. The express companies, to-
wit: The Adams, American, Pacific,
Southern, United States, Wells, Far
70 & Co., 30 far as the commission
ers are apprised, have paid no atten
ton to the order. Last May case was
made out against the Wells, Fargo s.
Go. corporation and filed with the at
torney general, but 80 far as the com :
missioners are aware, that official
has not disposed Of the matter. This
brief statement embraces the main
features Of the communication.
Representative Carroll, Of st.
Louis, has prepared bill to modify
some Of the Objectionable features ol
"truckstore" system of paying coal
miners and others. 1t appears some
firms who employ large numbers ol
workmen issue time checks redeem
able in cash at long dates in the fu-
ture, but which may be exchanged
for merchandise at store owned BY
the firms. The object of Mr.. Car.
rolls bill is to leave it optional with
employees whether or not they receive
such checks in lieu of money. He
says he has examined recent court
decisions in regard to the validity ol
such legislation and has avoided the
error which caused the supreme
court to hold the old bi- monthly
payment bill unconstitutional.
Senator Yeater introduced an i'm
portant bill In regard to the trial o.
persons indicted for murder in the
first degree, and in whose behal
a plea Of insanity is entered. 1t re-
quires the trial judge to appoint MOI
less than three or more than five
medical experts, who shall pass upor
the accused PERSONS mental condi'
ton. In the event he is found to bt
insane, he shall be confined in al
asylum forthwith, otherwise the tria
shall be proceeded with at once. i
Is said this practice is followed il
England, with satisfactory results
As the law now stands the defense il
allowed to summon whom the,
please. This bill was no doubt sug
gested In view of the Duestrow In
sanity trial.
Senator Lancaster introduced
bill amending the mechanics hel
law SO that merchants who furnisl
material only shall not have a lien
and that where the wife owns rea
estate on which a house is built Il
name of the husband, 1t shall be sub
ject to lien for debt incurred.
The senate engrossed Senate
Wurdeman's bill allowing st. Loui
county and city to establish sanitar
districts; also, Senator Lyman's bi
creating a board of three medica
examiners for the state insane asy
lums providing that each membe
shall receive e25 a day and travelin
expenses while actually employed.
Senator O'Bannon introduced tn
Joint and concurrent resolution sub
mitted by the convention Of may OF
Of the third and fourth class elite
relative to the issuance OF sewer an
water works bonds. The rules wer
suspended and the resolutions VIZ
adopted.
Senate bill reducing the price (
boarding prisoners in jail to 40 CEN
In the large and so cents In the sma
cities was read the third time an