The record-union., 1897-02-03
BULLA'S MEASURE,
CONTINUED from Fourth Page.)

lstrators of estates of deceased persons,
being the special order, was taken UP.
lit had been adversely reported on in
committee and Braunhart offered an
amendment that it do not take effect
for two years, which was lost, and tbs
bill ordered to third reading.
By consent of Morehouse Bulla with
drew his report on the amendment Of
the latter offered before recess and also
withdrew as the committee on it and
Francks was appointed as such COM
mittee and reported the amendment.
The amendment was lost, 16 noes to
II ayes, and the bill recommitted to
Simpson as a committee of one 10
amend by striking out Section ,, which
was done, and the amendment was car
ried and the bill goes to the printer
s. B. 62, by Dwyer, relating to labor,
came next.
Wilmington called attention to the
fact that the bill provides that any con-
tractor who violates any of the provis-
ions Of the Political Code, a provision
which covered a great deal of ground.
Dwyer said it was to prevent con-
tractors from working their men over
eight hours.
Smith said it would be the mistake OF
the session to make it a penal offense
for the Supervisors to allow more than
eight hours a days work on the public
roads. The people are complaining that
they do not get enough work on the
roads for their money, while they are
anxious to get the most work done and
willing to do it. He thought it would
be q wrong thing to pass the bill
cepting municipal corporations, as the
bin would prohibit the letting of con-
tracts to water streets by the month.
and compel the letting of them by the
day of eight hours.
Bulla opposed the amendment as de-
laying the passage of the bill and also
as taking the heart out of the bill
The amendment was adopted, II ayes
to 10 noes, and the bill sent to the
printer.
S. B. 16, by Bert, reappropriating
$4,000 for the erection of buildings
for the Affiliated Colleges, was passed,
ayes 80, noes o.
S. B. 33, by Bulla, for the certifica-
tfon of land titles and simplification of
the transfer of titles was read. Aram
offered an amendment increasing the
fees Of the Auditor.
Bulla protested against it, saving
that ample opportunity had been giver,
both in committee and on second read
ing, for any amendments which would
now retard the passage of the bill.
The amendment was lost and the bill
put on its passage.
Bulla gave an explanation of the bill,
and said it was a modified copy of the
Al 4 Ant T.
vorably reported on by the commissions
of five different States. Everyone
knows the heavy expense Of obtaining
abstracts of property and the subse-
quent fees for mortgagfng, recording,
etc, and this decreases them very ma
terially. The bill provides a simple
way of settling titles 1t is claimed that
it viii damage the interests of search
ers of abstracts and lawyers. He did
not think so, but thought it would in
crease them under the preliminary pro-
ceedings.
But even were this so, and although
he was a lawyer, he should still advo-
cate this BILL as when he entered this
chamber he put behind him his profess
sional interests and proposed to acr
purely in the interests of the people.
The law passed in Illinois has been de-
clared unconstitutional, as it deIega tes
power to the Registrar of Titles instead
Of the courts, and he believed the Ohio
law would meet the same fate. He had
carefully guarded the provisions of this
bill, and hoped it would pass unani-
mously
Gillette opposed the bill. No State has
Yet put it into successful operation, and
he did not know why California should
be the first State to venture on untrfed
ground in this respect. 1t sets aside the
statute of limitations and would al
dow those who own large bodies Of
land to leave the State and make no
efforts 70 improve them or make them
secure in the title acquired under this
Act. 1t would allow minors and luna
ties to be deprived Of their property
without opportunity to protect them
selves.
He offered objections to other sec
aions, saying that If a fraudulent forged
deed is made the title Will pass to the
Innocent purchaser, and the real owner
will lose his property. He did not be-
1ieve the State would pay for the prop
erty, as provided for. He read the re-
port Of committee appointed to invec-
5gate the workings Of the Torrens
Act in Ontario, which stated that the
Act had practically become a dead let
Ter there.
Wilmington advocated the bill. and
said that 1t provided the means by
Eyhidh any citizen Of the State, no mat
ter how ignorant of the law, could go
to the records and find where the title
OF land reposed. When he settled in this
State it was on a sheep ranch Of 20 900
acres. Now 300 people live on it, and
st is impossible to tell whose title is
valid. If this Act had been in force ten
years ago their titles would be settled
definitely. He saw no reason why Cal
ffornia should not be the first State to
adopt the law and lead in the march
Of progress and improvements.
SIatton placed his support of the
Rsill on practical and not sentimental
reasons. As an attorney, he looked at
the matter from a legal and practical
point Of view. In Australia the plan
has been in operation from seven to
twenty years, and is successful. The
bin is per1nissive and land can only
be affected by the Act Of the owner
himself He had not at first favored
the BILL but thought now that the Leg
ds,ature would do well 10 pass il.
Bulla said the law mad been in op-
GRAFTON in Australia for nearly half a
century and works well. In Illinois
it was adopted by a vote Of II 10 l. The
people are demanding a law of this kind
and should have 1t. a former official OF
Ontario had told him that it was a
success there. and the people favor it.
T. is an axDerirnapt here blIt everxy