The herald., 1897-03-23
TWO PoNDERoUS VOLUMES
Contain the History Of the Late Legis-
lature
Of the Laws Adopted Not the Least I'm.
portant in Ultimate Effect Is the
Torrens Land Measure
special corresnondence to The Herald.

ate and assembly histories have grown
TO be very ponderous volumes. There
are 81 pages in the former and 144 pages
in the latter The senate has had 1872
bills originating in that house, and the
assembly $685. The senators, therefore.
would appear to have been more pro-
life than their brethren on the other side
of the capitol in their efforts to change
the laws, but as matter of fact many
of the bills were duplicates, so that the
senators appear to have more than their
just share from that fact Then, toe,
the senators have more experience as
rule in legislation than the assembly,
men, the majority of whom were never
in legislative body before, while one
half of the senators were here -two'years
ago, not counting those who were re-
elected, and those who have been like
Bulla in the assembly two or more terms
before coming into the upper house.
From these several causes the forty sem
ators have an average OF eighteen bills
each to their credit, while the eighty
assemblymen only have an average OF
twelve, which certainly is not excessive.
OF the senators the most bills are
credited to Senator Voorhes, but that
| is due to the fact that as chairman Of
| the committee on finance he introduced
all the claims and bills approved by the
board of examiners. The senator, how
ever, introduced quite number of bills
of his own. Senator Dickinson led the
procession with forty-four bills intro
duced, Senator Stratton followed with
| thirty-seven, and Senator Morehouse in
| troduced thirty-four. Among the south
ern senators Senator Bulla introduced
| the most bills, and the most important
measure, perhaps, in the Torrens' land
| act, which changes the entire system of
| land conveyancing In the state. Sen
| ator Simpson introduced twenty-nine
bills, three less than Bulla. Senator An
drous introduced twenty three, of which
| the lunacy commission is the most i'm
portant. 1t was prepared by the super
intendents of all the state insane asy-
lums and was strongly favored by the
| governor. 1t does not in any way in
| terfere with the duties of the various
! local boards of trustees, who are allowed
| to ask for bids, let contracts and appoint
employees as hitherto; but it gives the
commission the power to regulate SAL
aries and in other ways economize in
the management of the various institu-
| tions. The commission consists of the
board of examiners--that is the govern
| or, secretary of state, and attorney-gen..
eral, the secretary of the state board of
| health and a general superintendent to
| be appointed by the governor. 1t is
generally understood that DIR. Gardiner
| of Napa Insane asylum will be the state
superintendent.
Only one senator introduced no bills
Senator Shine; Senator Frank intro
duced two, one for the removal Of the
| State Reform School for Girls from
| Whittier to Santa Clara, which the
governor vetoed. Senator Smith Of Ba-
kersfield was the father of the county
government act the most ponderous bill
of the session, and the most extensively
| amended. Senator Jones of Orange
county introduced twenty-five bills, and
has made very conscientious senator
His daughter has been of invalua BILE SER
vice to him, end the last ten days has
been assisting the clerks at the secre-
tary's desk. All the senators declare
she is worth any two Of the men clerks,
and next session she will be offered the
position of assistant secretary, If she
desires it.
Senator Wilmington introduced fifteen
| bills, but the San Diego senator has had
something to say about almost every bill
that has come up. He has been a stick
Ter about the rules and has been one Of
the most prominent senators on the
floor. Senator Boyce of Santa Barbara
has been Ill good deal OF the time,
though he managed to introduce nine
teen bills. He has been among the
most bitter opponents Of the code COM
mission. which he wanted to abolish,
but which, thanks to the assembly,
still continues, although without any
appropriation for its maintenance.
Besides the bills, the senators have in
troduced sixteen Joint resolutions, thir-
| ty-nine constitutional amendments and
eleven concurrent resolutions. OF the
| joint resolutions Senator Androus led
with three, and Senators Bulla, Simp-
| son and Jones are each credited with
| one. OF the constitutional amendments
Simpson and Bulla each introduced four,
| and Androus, Boyce and Wilmington
| one. OF the concurrent resolutions Bulla
fathered four and Androus one.
In the assembly only one member is
absolutely without any record for hav-
| ing introduced any measures. His name
is Allen, and he comes from San Fran
cisco. Guy, as chairman of the ways
and means committee, introduced the
| most bills. He deseres special credit for
| the normal school bill, which he got
| through In the interest of San Diego 1t
| would be better If he had succeeded In
establishing a polytechnical or indus
| trial school instead of a normal for
l
not be surprised If a future legislature
makes that change in the interests alike
Of the state, it's children and San Diego.
Goff followed Guy among the southern
members in the number of bills intro
duced. having twenty-three to his credit.
| many relating to the insane asylum at
Highland. Capt. Cross introduced
twenty-five bills, among others the one
| to allow cities to take census. which
the governor has signed, and work under
| which, understand Is to begin in Los
| Angeles Monday. The Bulla bill, by the
way, raises the limit for cities of the first
| class to $4,000, so there Is no danger OF
los Angeles being affected by the
avs of San Francisco for some years to
,ome. Melick only introduced thirteen
bills, but he has been one of the most
| ,ctive members. He has voted on every
Measure and has kept his committee
m retrenchment and reform humping.
| lead has been satisfied to father ive
| ills and Valentine eleven. while Vos-
| urg Is responsible for six. Chenoweth
| nd Kenyon both introduced six each
| nd Harris of Santa Barbara went them
| wo better. All things considered. the
| outhern delegation made q very good
@cord.
/ The governor has approved up to this
| morning forty-one senate bills and six
/ weight assembly bills, and has vetoed
hree senate and hve assembly bills,
/ While three senate bills have become
Iaws-including the one relatinE to