The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-19
House Votes at Four O'Clock
This Afternoon.
REURGANIZED SHORT LINE
INCORPORATION BILL PASSED
AND OBSTACLES REMOVED.
The Arizona Annexation Resolution
Goes Through-Bills Introduced
A Measure to Repeal the Mort
gage Tax-Practice of Medicine
Payment of Bounties.

The lower house of the legislature
! yesterday afternoon fastened to re-
move all obstacles from the pathway
of the Oregon Short Line and promptly
passed the railway Incorporation Dill
The measure had previously passed the
senate and now goes to the governor.
This act viii make Utah the home
of one of the most important railway
systems in the west, a company
capitalized at $6OOOO,OOO and operating
]. 800 miles of road in five states. The
Importance of the measure to the COM
mercial interests of the state is not
fully realized. The bill passed yester-
day authorizes the Incorporation or
companies organized for the purpose OF
purchasing railroad property winch
may have been sold under judicial pro-
ceedingS, CT at private sale, ana TO
acquire the capital stock of any other
railroad corporation whose lines are
within or without this state. The old
statutes only authorized the incorpora-
ton of companies organized for the
purpose of constructing and operating
railroads within thA state As the
reorganized Short Line company pro-
poses to purchase a railroad already
constructed and in operation, some
new legislation was made necessary.
The bill was passed by vote OF ~
to 3. the negative being Romney,
Shepard and Wilson. Mr.. Romney eX-
planned that he voted no because the
bin contained no provision prohibiting
the acquisition or absorption by
railway company, of competitive lines,
and not through any opposition to the
general purpose of the measure
ELECTION OF SENATOR.
Mr.. Kenner from the committee on
elections, presented an adverse report
on Taylor's resolution, providing for
the manner of electing a United States
senator. The committee recommended
a substitute, providing that at 3 o'clock
this afternoon, the house proceed, by
viva voce vote, to vote for candidates
for United States senator. and that
while the vote is being cast all per-
sons except the members and officers
of the house and representatives OF the
press be excluded from the floor of the
house.
The hour was changed from to
o'clock and the resolution adopted.
Mr. Hardy presented a petition
signed by 10 citizens of Sanpete county,
asking that officers of banks be
required to give bonds sufficient to
protect depositors from loss. Referred
to committee on judiciary
ARIZONA ANNEXATION.
MI Sloan, from the committee on
public lands, presented a favorable re-
port on the Arizona annexation reso-
luton, authorizing the governor to
appoint commissioners to negotiate
with the Arizona Legislature for the
cession to Utah of that portion of the
territory lying north of the Colorado
river In explanation Mr.. Sloan stated
that this tract was the rendezvous of
cattle thieves and outlaws, who tlade
frequent raids into Washington and
Kane counties committing depreda-
tions upon the settlers and escaping
capture by retreating across the line.
Arizona did not care much about this
tract and the territorial legislature,
now in session, might be induced to
cede it to Utah.
Mr.. Robinson of Kane and Mr..
Duffin of Washington supported the
resolution and stated that nearly all of
the live stock in the desired territory
was owned by Utah citizens.
Mr.. Kenner denied that the legisla-
ture of Arizona had any authority
whatever 20 cede any portion of the
territory to Utah. that power being
vested in congress.
THE RAILROAD BILL.
Mr.. Kimban called up the special
order of the day. the railroad incor-
poration bill and, upon Mr.. Kenner's
motion, the senate bill upon the same
subject was substituted for the house
bill.
Mr.. O'Brien offered an amendment to
the last section prohibiting any rail
road company from purchasing the
stock of any other company owning
competitive line.
Mr.. Romney earnestly urged the
adoption of the amendment. While the
passage of the bill was desirable, it
was the duty of the legislature to
safeguard the interests of the people.
Unless restrained, any large railroad
company could strange competition by
buying up all competitive lines.
Mr.. Thoreson remarked that this sub
ject was fully covered by the consti-
tuticn, and Mr.. Romney asked why
then, was objection raised TO its in
corporation in the bill?
Mr. Sloan called attention to the i'm
portance of the speedy passage of the
bill. Many prominent citizens had ap-
peared in it's behalf and urged speedy
action and the interests Of the state
demanded its passage without unneces-
sary delay. He opposed the amend
ment because ii was unnecessary ana
would delay final action.
Mr.. Roylance, Mr. Bennion and Mr.
Kimbau of Cache opposed the amend
ment as q useless waste of time.
The amendment was defeated and
the bill passed by a vote of 40 to 3.
a communication was received from
the governor transmitting the report
of the state board of land commits
siOners.
The senate announced the passage of
senate bill No. 8, fixing the salaries of
officers and members.
The speaker announced the appoint
ment of the committee on enrolment
and engrossment as follows: Forshee,
Hopkins, Bennion, Kenner, A. P. So
renSOn.
The house then adjourned.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Several Important Measures Present