The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-02-19
Legislative Notes.

otiO'S iO1 Vic pIOUcCtlOI1 VI IiIc HohihS
ind ustry.
The number of house bills already
introducnEfnto the house to this date
lacks but few of reaching 800, and
the senate is doing fairly with about
half that number. Only thre' moe
weeks of the session remain.
A messaeismas recetved%from tf1e
governor stating that he had signed
S. B. 10, to protect bottlers; 5. B. "a,
appropriating money for repairs for
damage caused by a boiler explosion
at Medical Lake, and S. B. 100, rela-
ting to the removal of the atty-genl.
SENATE bill 70, providing that it be
a misdemeanor to compel an employe
to surrender citizenship, was reported
favorably; S. B. 4, to prevent coercion
and blacklisting employees, was report
ed from committee in favor of its in
definite postponement; S. B. liz, to
protect employees in their claims for
wages, was favorably reported by COM
mittee; reports adopted.
The proceedings of the house were
enlivened somewhat Monday by the
passage of a memorial expressing
sympathy with the Cubans and asking
the states representatives in congress
to exercise every effort to bring about
a recognition by congress of the
belligerency of the Cubans, and the
enactment of such measures as will
secure to the island it's independence.
In the senate Tuesday there was de-
bate on Houghton's beet sugar bounty
bill. The bill proposes giving a
bounty of l cent per pound on all beet
sugar produced in the state during the
next three years, but that not more
than $50, 900 shall be paid out in any
one year. The strong objections are
raised against the cost to state, and
the bill will probably be killed.
The "reform" forces in the house had
a vertitable field day Tuesday passing
in the morning a bill submitting a
constitutional amendment carrying
| with it the initiative and referendum,
and in the afternoon Cline's bill in
augurating in Washington the South
Carolina dispensary liquor law. Both
propositions had good majorities, and
although it is plain that the "reform-
ers' have quite overreached them
selves in their efforts to make record
the leaders are apparently salts fed
There are several bills directed to
ward the reduction in railroad freight
rates, and each of the rival factions
are struggling to have their bill lead
the strongest factions being the Turner
silver republicans and the bunch
grassers. The Canutt bill, which EN-
bodies the features of the old Helm
bill is in the lead, and it makes a cut
of $1.25 per ton on wheat rates to thu
Sound, besides a horizontal reduction
of fifteen per cent on all other como
dities. Senator-elect Turner is on tn,
ground and is fighting hard to have
his own pet measure become law.
In the senate a concurrent resolu-
ton, by McReavy, which was adopted
caused lively debate, which lasted
for over an hour. The resolution pro.
vlded that committee of three hold
over senators be appointed to visit the
Sound, Shoalwater bay and Colum.
bia river fisheries during the Legislative
recess. to examine and report on the
appliances used in the catching oil
salmon and. to report the result o
their Investigations to the next legisla
ture, to pay of the Investigators to b.
So per day and expenses, and the tota
expense of the work not to exceed
$4,000.
| Senator McReavy of Mason county
Wednesday introduced in the senat,
a bill providing for the completion o
the state house. It scales down the
cost OF the superstructure $4,000
from the present contract price, .ana
thus brings it within any possible
shrinkage in the value of the land.
granted for this purpose-132 OO(
acres. It provides that warrants shall
hereafter draw but per cent interest
which interest is guaranteed by the
state and is made payable annually
The bill is officially known as senate
bill 225.
/ II. B. No. II, by Edwards, making
1t unlawful for employers to pay wages
except in lawful money of the United
States. The minority report recon-
mending that the bill do pass, sub
stituted for the majority report, rec
ommending indefinite postponement
Bush, of Clarke, introduced an amend
ment making tile bill apply only t.
companies and corporations. J. C
CONNIE said he paid his farm laborer
IN goods som etimes when he diden,