The San Francisco call., 1897-02-24
STIMULATED TO
QUICKER ACTION
Legislators Read The Calls
Review With Great
Interest.
Now They Realize That NJ
Time Remains for lille
Argument.
Speeches TO Be Limited to F4vj
Minutes and an Urgency File
Created.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Feb. 23.-As the
result of the full review OF the work of
the Legislature for the first fifty days OF
the session, published in the CALL this
morning, measures were taken to-day TO
expedite business in the Senate. The
article in question acted as a decided
stimulant But ten days of the sixty
fixed by statute for the session of the
Legislature are left, and even though the
lime NAV be extended two weeks, the
showing made in the CALL indicated that
many a measure was destined TO die on
the files.
Senator Holloway started the movement
for greater activity. He introduced a
resolution providing for the creation of a
special urgency file. Each Senator, in
alphabetical order, was to be allowed TO
select his most important measure each
day and place it on this file. The con-
sideration OF these bills was TO be the
business of the evening session, the meas
ures to be taken up alternately from the
top and bottom of the file.
HOIloway's resolution provided for this
file being made up to- morrow, but he ac-
cepted an amendment deferring such ac-
ton until Monday. The author of the
resolution argued that this course would
bring all the best bills to the front, and
that business would be greatly expedited
thereby.
BulIa spoke against the proposition.
He said if the resolution were adopted the
general file would not again be reached at
this session. 1t would also, be declared
result in bringing not the meritorious
measures to the head of the file, but those
which carry large appropriations, and
claim bills.
Considerably more debate followed, and
the resolution was defeated, but is likely
to be adopted later on, as many who voted
against it did so simply because they be.
lieved it was too early in the session tc
adopt such measure.
Senator VOORHEES, came to the rescue
with a resolution providing that al
speeches be limited to five IninutesFher
after. Some little opposition was mani.
tested, but after being amended so as to
inaugurate the fve-minute rule on Mon,
dav next, instead of at once, the resolu-
tion was adopted.
Constitutional amendments, joint reso-
lutions and all measures carrying appro-
priations, according to Senate rules, must
be considered twelve days before adjourn
.ment sine die, and no action looking to
adjournment has yet been taken. The
date Of final adjournment must be fixed
by concurrent resolution, and at least
twelve days notice of such ad diournment
must be given.
Senator Smith will bring up the urgency
hle question again tomorrow morning
and there Is every indication that il will
then be settled in favor OF creating an
urgency bill.
1t was conceded on all sides here that
THE CALLS comprehensive resume of leg
lslatlve work was valuable bit of enter
prise. Here are some of the expressions
relative TO IL:
Lieutenant-GoYer Jeter-It ia his
tory of the work OF the session. The idea
is good one. 1t calls the attention of
the people directly to the work of the ses-
sion and places it before them in a way
that l should think would be verv benefi-
clal to the people of the State and mem
bers of the Legislature 1t showed the
latter the need of expediting matters
The more the people can be informed of
what goes on here the more nearly can
the mem bers come to serving them and
carrying out their wishes l am satisfied
that that is the disposition of this Legis-
lature.
Senator Smith-THE CALLS resume of
legislative work is both interesting and
valuable. It shows in a concise form the
condition of all bills a. the present time.
This will enable the people throughout the
State to ascertain the status of bills in
which their sections are particularly in
terested, and aid them to prompt the
action of their representatives accord in Civ.
Nv greatest fear has been that the Lezis.
laIure might enact too many laws This is
somewhat removed by the showing made
in The CALL, from which l observe that
comparatively few bills are likely to reach
final passage. l am of the opinion thai
within day or two the Senate will begin
to conclude its labors.
Senator Voorheis-It is a very good
thing, as it presents the status of leg sla
ton in a most intelligibie manner and
thus furnishes valuable information 10 the
members, and NOR particularly for theil
const tuents who are not here.
Senator Holloway-It gives an excellen
idea of the progress that has been made
and what we have yet 10 do TO get away il
q reasonable time.
Senator Bulla-It is a valuable compila
tion of what has been done and places u!
all under obligations. The way things ar,
rushed here none of US can tell just wher,
we are, aud this gives us exactly the infor
nation we need. / think sc owe THE CALI
thanks III getting this up in such com
DrehensiVe shape.
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TERRIBLE FLOODS IN THE EAST