The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-02-18
Special Dispatch TO the STANDARD.

Special Dispatch TO the Standard.
Helena. Feb. 1.-THE day in the house
has had more than the usual number of
interesting features. In the morning.
the ways and means committee report
cd adversely Watkins bill providing Tor
the issue Of script by the state which
would he given i'm payment for the
taxes and debts, The theory of fiat"
money was pretty thoroughly discussed
and the bill ordered printed as a pre-
liminary to u more elaborate funeral.
The renort of the special committee
appointed To investigate the state re-
form school was the star attraction of
the day and its disclosures We're u big
surprise 10 the members. Only one
member, Bourne. lifted his voice in de-
fense of the institution.
In the afternoon session several bills
passed their third reading, among them
the amended free text book bill. on
the roll call on this bill the populists
ran into an exhibition of farce comedy
in trying to make stanton and Camp
bell break n pair.
AS the first order of business a petit
tion was read from Granite county urg-
ing the passage of Smead's bill relative
to the working OF mining claims and
another from Meagher county stock
growers. asking for an increase in the
bounty on wolves and coyotes.
Notices Of bills To he introduced were
given as follows: by J. n. Kelly-To
ameLl sections 6Si 6S5 and $50 of penal
code. relating to the duties of city
marskals. Ey Bartlett-To amend sub
division J, of section il0, article 5. chap
ter >, title |, part 3. of the political code.
relating to the fees Of the secretary Of
state. by an-Appropriating
moneys for the maintenance of certain
state institutions and salaries of state
officers.
The ways and means committee made
a long report on II bills. some Of which
precipitated considerable discussion. on
senate bill ~ relating To payment of
taxes. non-concurrence was recon-
mcnded as it would conflict with many
of the present revenue laws of the state
aid would unnecessarily complicate the
transaction of business adopted.
:. Il. y, relating to payment Of sala-
ries Of county officers was favorably
recommended. Langhorne's cigarette
bill was adversely reported and the re-
port was adopted.
Upon recommendation of the COM
mittee n conference committee was ap-
pointed on :. B. 20 relative 10 taxes and
II. Il. 227. The chair appointed Clark.
Elliott and Ramsey. Watkins bill pro-
viding for the issuance of scrip by the
state, which should be received in full
payment of taxes and debts was ad-
versey reported by the committee as
being in conflict with the United States
constitution. Watkins and some Of the
other populsts. made n fight against
the adoption of the report and In favor
of fiat" money. Ramsey spoke earnest
ly against such folly. but the house
finally ordered the bill printed and
placed on general orders The commit
tee recommended indefinite postpone
ment Of Loeb's bill relating to the farm
ing out of county funds. Loeb made a
vigorous protest. calling attention to
the governors message on the subject.
Ramsey explained that the bill would
relieve the treasurer and his sureties OF
responsibility. which was contrary Ia
a provision of the constitution. The bill
was ordered printed and placed on gen.
eral orders. O'Connor's bill relative "a
salaries of deputies of county officials
was recommended for indefinite post
ponement, as the subject was treated in
similar bill.
Favorable passage was recommended
for II. H. 103 for the relief of certain
persons furnishing supplies and serv-
ices 10 the state reform school.
Upon select committee call Chairman
Cochran sent to the speakers desk the
following report on the State reform
school at Miles City: