The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-03-11
LEGISLATURE OF IDAHO
BILL TO ABOLISH INSPECTOR OF
MINES DEFEATED.
Stir in the Senate between Sheep
Men and Cattle Men-Bilis
Passed and Postponed.

Boise. Idaho, March THE past week
has been busy one in the Idaho legis-
lature.
The house bill 10 apolish the office of
inspector of mines brought out an inter-
esting discussion in the senate. While
Davis thought that the Office was neces-
sary to the best welfare Of the interests
of the state Rich claimed that men lost
their lives in mines in the best organized
districts in the world, and he did not feel
that the retention of the Office of inspec
tor in this staJe would secure immunity
from danger for miners that the min
ers We're determined to vote down every
proposition to tax their properties; re-
fusing to contribute to the public reve-
nues, at the same time wanting a bureau
maintained by taxes assessed against 9TH
ers exclusively. Il am in favor of abol-
ishng the whole menagerle," he ex-
claimed.
Donnelly said that Rich had INDUCED
in a misstatement of facts, and Young.
in reply to one of Rich's statements, said
that the people did not want the mill
tia in the Occur d'Alenes the militia
companies being established there by the
last governor at the dictation of mining
corporations.
While Coughanour favored the abolish
ment of the office, he said he would not
throw man out of office after he had
gone to the expense of a campaign, and
had made his business arrangements in
order to attend to his official duties
There were only four votes secured in
the senate in favor of the adjustment of
the office of mine inspector and the
measure was therefore Indefinitely post
poned.
Mining Taxation Bill.
Pugmires mining taxation bill was de-
feated in the house by the following
vote:
Ayes-Andrews, Elder, Fem, Flanna-
gan, Hampton, Harris, McMurrin, NOR
gan, Perkins, Pugmire, Randolph, Rice,
Rigby, Seat, Sperry. Waite, VALENTINE
Wright-1S
Nays-Allan, Beary, Black, Brown
Bryan, Carter, Clagett Clawson, Fulton,
Goldensmith, Gray, Hadley, Hamer.
Hays, Holt Johnson, JONES' Mccarthy,
Orr, Rogers, Sisson, Waters, Wilson,
Workman-24.
When the vote was announced, Flanna-
gan was reported to have said EVERY
man who voted against this measure
has betrayed his constituents"
The following day Flanagan rose to
question of personal privilege saying
that the above were not the words used
by him, and that he had only made that
statement regarding two men on the floor
and he wanted it understood that he did
not include every one as represented in
the report
Thereupon Goldensmith jumped up, de-
claring, Il know who are the gentlemen
referred to, as he was looking at Clagett
and myself. l brand his statement as an
Infamous falsehood. l was Instructed by
letters from my constituents to use my
influence and to vote against the bill"
Matters soon quieted, and the irritat-
ing incident was a thing of the past
Taxing stock.
Ballentine of Ada was bitterly opposed
to the bill. which was passed by the SEN
ate by a vote of l5 to 4, providing taxes
on stock ranging in more than one coun-
ty shall be paid partly in each. Mr.. Bal
lentine referred to the slaughter of cat
tie driven into Boise county The policy
of prohibition which it was sought to
enforce was narrow, bigoted and brutal.
1t was all Idaho soil, he said it was gov
eminent grass, and the plan of following
the herds from one county to another
he declared was restrictive and unworthy
of such a state. Referring to the killing
of cattle, he explained that a band of
outlaws-murderers-h again and again
shot down cattle driven into Boise coun-
ty. On one occasion so head had been
driven into corral and shot down. He
claimed that the bill was unconstitution-
al. and would lead to litigation.
IN defending the measure, Rich said
the position of Ballentine was that his
hogs should be permitted to range in his
neighbors' fields without recourse for the
latter He scored the stock owners of
Ada county saying they were a lot of
robbers, banded together for the purpose
OF pasturng their herds on the ranges
of another county
In the Senate
Inc senate passed the following meas
ures:
Senate bill providing for the parole of
convicts.
Senate bill relating to the collection of
taxes
Senate bill No. 81, providing procedure
for release of prisoners when Judgment
Is reversed without new trial
Senate bin increasing the appropriation
for education of the deaf, dumb and the
blind from $4,000 to s5OOO
The horticultural bill, with an amend
ment striking out all reference to weeds.
grains and agriculture generally.
House bill No. 172, providing for dis
tribution of water under judicial decree
House bill! No. 50, prescribing what snail
constitute lawful fence when matfe of
wire
House bill No. 49, amending the revised
statutes, so that any legal subdivision
OF property sold for taxes may be re-
deemed with an amendment making the
rate of interest 10 per cent
Senate bill No. so. striking out the words
white male" in the statute prescribing
the qualifications for admission to the
bar.
Senate bill No. SO. extending the time
Tor the payment of interest due from mr.
chasers of state lands.
House bill No. 22s, for the leasing Of
state lands.
House bill No. 1874 providing that taxes
on stock ranging in more than one coun- |
" snail be paid partly in each.
House bill No. so. changing the time
or beginning assessment to January. This
Dill had the support of the stookmen.
Senate bill No. 96. abolishing terms of
lne supreme court at Lewiston.
senate joint resolution No. ?. submit
ung an amendment limiting the powers
Oh the county commissioners in employ
meht OF private counsel and making the
county treasurer ex-ofieio tax collector
senate bill No. %, amending the sheen
inspection law.
House bin No. H. exempting farmers.
iitches from taxation.
Senate bill No. a. making void anv
iote hereafter made which shall waive
my exemption from execution.
Senate joint memorial No. ). nrav,ng