The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1897-03-18
SOLONS Of WASHINGTON
Results Of the LabOrS Of the States
Wise Men at Olympia.
THERE WERE 1874 new LAWS PASSED
The Governor Armed with His
Pruning knife-There VIII lse No
Extra Session-Summary of the
Important BiIis Enacted.

| III was nearly SIX CLOCK IN tne morn
ing of Friday, the l2th inst, before the
state legislature finally adjourned. The
hour hand of the clock had been turned
back in order to make it appear that the
new day had not been encroached upon
but the haggard appearance of the legis-
ators told the story OF the long strain.
All OF the bills were not engrossed even
at the hour of adjournment but the heads
and tails were, 30 as to admit OF the sig
natures of the officers, the body to be
filled in later.
The session was q remarkable one. Not
so much on account of the legislation
| achieved, but of that attempted and
feared. Freak bills were numerous but
the measures passed were in the main
well considered. The Ellensburg plat
form was not lived up to by the valiant
populists who were constantly quarreling
among themselves and apparently afraid
of treachery in their own camp.
Hours and days were consumed in stop.
ping little leaks bat great ones were al
lowed to flow on unimpaired. The total
expenditures and appropriations, how
ever, were considerably cut down and it
is asserted that the Rogers government
for the coming two years will be less ex-
pensive, on the whole, by from million
to million and quarter of dollars than
was that of the McGraw administration.
This, however, cannot be proven until
all returns are in, for appropriations may
have been cut in some instances to an
extent that will absolutely require the
creation OF deficit.
The railroad bill as passed is the ghost
of the original measure and still it is not
altogether unsatisfactory. 1t fixes the
maximum rate on grain for distances OF
800 miles at % ton; and reduces the
carload rates on fruits, vegetables, butter
and miscellaneous agricultural products
20 per cent. on the transportation tariff
existing Jan. 2, 1897. In cases of mixed
| carloads the rule is based on the product
bearing the highest classification Sens-
tor Lesh is pleased with the measure and
says it will prove of great benefit to the
| Yakima country.
The state fair received an appropriation
| OF $1,000. This amount will put it in
good working condition as the late com
missioners left it's affairs in excellent
shape.
The bill for a wagon road from Buckley
to Yakima, carrying an appropriation of
| 10000, passed with the emergency
clause attached. 1t provides for a com
mission consisting OF the chairmen of the
county commissioners OF Pierce, King
aud Yakima counties.
Probably the most radical measures
passed were the judgment deficiency bill,
the bill OF Senator Lesh exempting from
execution the personal property of a
householder.to the extent of $780, and also
exempting $500 OF improvements on real
estate; the bill exempting from taxation
property to the value OF $1,000. These
measures were all drafted in the interest
Of the poor and the unfortunate, and their
expediency is largely experimental, al
though the general belief is that the good
will overbalance the evil.
Governor Rogers says that while the
session did not have as good results as
might have been expected 1t is better
| than any previous session and that he
will not convene the legislature in special
session unless demanded by the people,
The governor has already vetoed the APP
pristions for the Cheney and Whatcom
normal schools and there seems to be a
general impression that he will use the
pruning knife freely.
1t is difficult at this time to get full
account OF the measures, with their pro-
visions, that have been passed, but the
following are OF the 1874 enacted bills that
are Of the greatest interest to the people of
Yakima, the neighboring counties and
the state at large:
BY Essterday-Fixing order OF pay.
ment OF debts OF decedents. Debts shall
be paid as follows: Funeral expenses !;
the expenses Of last sickness debts hav-
ing preference by law any debts or dues
owing the state; judgments rendered
against deceased during his lifetime,
which are liens upon real estate, on which
execution might have issued. Approved
by the governor.
MISUNDERSTANDING assignment and
cancellation OF mortgages, and empower
ing mortgage or assignee to make same,
Approved by the governor.
Notwithstanding salaries Of warden
and clerk of the state penitentisry to
sl40O and $1,000 per snnum, respectively.
Approved by the governor.
Talor-pefning the crime Of rape, and
fixing the age OF consent at Is years
Approved by the governor.
Tsylor-Providing prior liens for en-
ployes against the real or personal prop
erty of employers of labor, and to take
precedence OF mortgages on property.
Notwithstanding bounty for pro-
duction Of sugar. This bill provides for