The record-union., 1897-02-10
Governors Message Received and Read
in the House.
Agricultural Districts to be ReOrganized--Statt
Highway Bills and Substitutes
Discussed.

II was the County Government Dill
over again in the Senate yesterday
with very little of the spice and variety
that cropped up at Mondays session
But the interest did not lag. Early IN
fhe morning the motion was mace Uo
reconsider the vote whereby Dlckln-
sons amendment providing that coun-
ties shall not collect licenses for ousl-
mess conducted in Incorporated cltles
and towns had been adopted, ana q
1brisk fight was INDUCED in. But the
Senate had slept on the matter ana
dhe tide had set toward a reconsidera-
tion. Nobody knew better than DICK
snson that the amendment was IN a
perilous strait, but he knew no such
hrord as turn back" He fought Tor
alis amendment until the last shot had
zbeen expended, and then philosophl-
rally swallowed his medicine and smil-
led when it was buried deep out of sight
no effort was made to resuscitate It,
and everything at the present time
Cocks as though. if the County Govern
ment bill becomes a law, counties will
still collect taxes from liquor dealers
throughout the State.
COUNTY ASSESSORS.
In the city and county Of San Fran
cisco Assessors are allowed a salary
only, while in all other counties of the
State they are, besides a specified sal
ary, allowed 6 per cent. of all personal
property tax collected by them. This
dt has been urged, and was yesterday
urged upon the floor of the Senate, was
a necessary incentive to induce the AS
SCISSOR TO properly perform the duties
OF his office Stratton came forward
with an amendment to exclude Alamo
da County from the per cent. rule
submitting that the people no longer
desired to see their Assessor draw down
annually from $12, 600 TO $4,000 over
and above his specified salary.
Bulla followed with a similar amend
rnent applying to Los Angeles County,
and the fight was on once more.
Smith led the opposition and made
the fight one of the rural districts Of the
State against the large centers of pop
ulatton. 1t was contended by him that
the amendments were intended only
to allow the personal property Of citi-
zals residing in large cities to escape
from taxation, while other sections Of
the State, under the incentive Of the
6 per cent. bounty, would be obliged to
Jay to the last dollar.
on the other hand it was contended
by Stratton, Bulla and Simpson that
heretofore Assessors in Alameda and
Los Angeles Counties had grown fat
at the expense Of the taxpayers, and
that the amendments, while in the in
herest of the people, did not tend TO al
aow any to escape payment of taxes. II
was contended by them that all As
SCISSORS We're not necessarily rascals,
and that they might, as a rule, be re-
lied on to perform their duties without
being allowed $4,000 a year as an in
ceutive to impel them TO do SO.
Both amendments We're adopted
Though the majorities were not large,
and II the bill becomes a law, the AS
SCISSORS Of Alameda and Los Angeles
counties will be given reasonable sal
eries, but their revenues, formerly col
,ected from personal property tax, will
be turned into the general Golfers.
Whether or not the amendments are
good legislation stlll remains an open
question.
The end of the second reading of the
rounty government bill is thought to be
in sight. and unless some unexpected
snag Is struck. viii be finished when
the noon recess Is taken to-day Sew
eral amendments to the bin viii. how
ever, be offered. and it may transpire
that the last hours Of the reading VIII
be replete with interest
The Senate Committee on Fish and
Game considered y. y. 452. which
specifies the kinds OF game and song