Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-03-04
Junketing Legislature.

t|eiN uueNeIitlui 80 iaI IL h'to'iiI'i'9h'
ing any thing beneficial to TIE peoples
interests is concerned. TIE chef
cause of the "lassitudc' during that
week, aside from the chronic weari
ness with which demo- popnlists suffer,
was contemplated legislative junkct
ing trip to the capital of Utah. The
trip was first proposed on February IA
and OF course from that moment there
could be nothing done for anyone
other than members and their friends
\ few members to make II pretense of
legislating kept watch over large
number Of empty chair. in the two
chanibcts, chatting each other all the
while regarding the probable verdict
Of the people in respect to the trip TO
Salt Lake. One feature OF the eXcur
sion that exciies pointed comment IS
that the invitation t. take IA free ride
came from the railroad company i'm
nediately after the freight and fare
bill had been 20 pos itively killed by
the ant, railroad fusionists.
Many Of the "oer good fearful lest
their constituents might object TO
spending valuable time in frivolous,
ga'tding about among the Saints of
Zion. voted against the adjournment
for the excursion but when the time
Tor the departure OF the crowd came the
good people couldn't withstand the
temptation, they went along with the
others. Their records are in good
shape to show to their constituent,
aud they had all the fun too. The last
thing done before the adjournment
was taken preparatory to leaving 10:
Salt Lake was the passing Ofan "a pro-
priation bill providing for the pay
OF members. The original aupropria
ton OF SO 5000 had been exhausted
and the boys hat to have expense
money, heiice, the necessity for the
second draft on the state treasury
Each member had coming, the sum of
$50 out of the second instalment but In
many cases this rake of was INSULT
Gent to meet current demands on the
trip for 1t IL positively stated that some
Of the "high rollers" among the legis
lative economists were compelled, in
order to he entirely consistent in car.
ment, to pawn sundry overcoatS,
watches, etc, etc., for the purpose OF
providing means to liquidnte hotel bills
ana other .undrv expenses. All
together 1t Is probably well that the
lay OH was taken. Had the legisla
ture remained in session there is no
evidence that any good legislation
would have been accomplished, but
instead it is Likely that ANYTHING the
economists might have enacted would
have been detrimental to the best in
ierests OF the state. AS II compensa-
ton for the pleasures OF the Salt Lake
excursion mtml erS IRE now being sub
ject tn the pains Of II loss of pay The
state auditor has refused % draw war;
rants for the pay OF memttrs during
the time they were absent from Doe
In the meantime pawn tickets are no,
legal ten er and banks do but little
discount busiliess with legislators. Re-
formers are now uuly regret,ing the
iinpulsivehessa that caused them to
forget their duties. They dread the
wrath Of the people two years hence
guilty c..nscience appears to tie urging
them to feverish activity. Night
sessions ard long day sessions are
being escorted to, to make up for lost
time. More real work has in fact been
done since last Wednesday morning
than during the whole Of the rest of
the session. You understand Of course
that the law makers started on the ir
junketing tri p On the 10th aud return
ed on Wednesday, the 23rd.
BMInERY SCHEMES EXPOSED
business was temporarily pended
on Thursday afternoon for the purpose
III bidding Goo speed to Senator Hei,-
felt upon his departure tor Washing
ton to assume the high Office to winch
he has been elevated. Both houses
met, however, after the ceremonies
we're over aud took up their suspended
Iut,ors. The senate and house acted
Ia n perfunctOry manner, they didn't
set to with will for the minds of
members were agltated by ngly rumors
that became prevalent rs soon as
Senator Heitfelt had left. The runors
were vague but ominou>. Men sup
posed to le posted on inside polticai
matters looked wise and in,in,ated
that surprises were in store. One stat.
senator who ut II certain stage Of the
U. :. senatorial contest had strong
hopes of success expressed the opinion
that matters woulu soon he brought to
igh, that would make tie IT, ). seu-