The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-03

Boise, March 1.-The last week of the
| legislature opens with the bribery in
vestigation in full blast. 1t is possible
that this inquiry will be continued to
the close of the session. and occupy
great portion of the attention of the
members
In connection with the subject of
bribery, it is interesting to note that
similar charges are being circulated in
connection with the defeat of the sheep
license bill in the house. When the leg
islature met there was plainly a major
ity in favor of the enactment of a Jaw
that would restrict the driving of sheep
from one county into another. The
sheep are wintered in the large valleys
and in summer are driven up into the
mountain counties for pasturage. The
people of the latter counties complain
that the ranges are ruined by the
fiocks. The plan that seems to meet
with general approval was to oblige
owners 70 pay q heavy tax for the
privilege of grazing in the counties
other than those in which their home
ranches are located. At one time it
seemed certain that the bill embodying
this idea would be carried through,
but on Saturday last it went into the
tomb of dead measures.
Many of the leading sheep men of the
state have been here throughout the
entire fight, and it is quite freely as
serted that their legs were pulled"
very vigorously before a majority
against the bill was secured.
VERY LITTLE DONE.
The record of this Legislature up to
date is altogether the slowest ever
known in the state. An examination
of the work done fails to disclose the
passage of any measure of Importance.
rnr
his constituents had written to him
for copies of important laws enacted
during the session. In looking through
the bill file with the view of complying
with the request, he discovered there
was nothing to send.
MINE TAXATION BILL.
At the night session of the house
Saturday the bill providing for the
taxation OF producing mines passed
the committee of the whole without
division. Mining men are very bit
terly opposed TO it. They insist that 1T
will tend to divert capital from the
state 1t is confidently predicted that
the bill will be DEBATED in the senate.
Estimates OF the vote there give from
u TO ii out of 20 against it. Governor
Steunenberg, however, is very much in
terested in the passage of the measure.
The bill, as it passed the house. pro-
V1deS that producing mines SNAIL be
valued on the assessment roll for the
purpose of taxation at a figure equal
to one-fifth of the gross output for the
preceding year The law shall not
apply to any properties producing less
than $1,000. Non-producing, patented
claims shall be assessed at-no less than
the price paid the government for the
ground.
HORTICULTURAL BILL.
A bill providing for the establishment |
of a state board of horticulture for the |
purpose of eradicating noxious weeds |
and fruit pests is likely to become a !
storm center during the closing days /
of the session.
The bill will pass the senate with an /
of $1o,500 for the next (
two years, but there will be "a bitter /
fight over it in the house.
The appropriation in the horticultural
bill is the feature that is obnoxious to
the economical element.
APPROPRIATIONS.
The appropriation bill has been fin
ished 1t makes many cuts. especially
in the state Offices The bill proposes
to pay clerks $40 a month who have
heretofore been receiving 800. and fur
Their, to reduce the number allowed the
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