The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-02-26
Legislative Notes.

PERHAPS the advocates of the dis
pensary system would not favor it SO
strongly If they we're among the ranks
of the heaviest taxpayers. In Shell
ton, it will be necessary to make up a
deficiency of $500 now received from
saloon licenses, by the direct payment
of taxes, for the pleasant privilege OF
monkeying with an experiment that
has been decided unconstitutional in
South Carolina, and is at best vision
airy and unsatisfactory, that of the
states entering the liquor business.
For nearly a week the senate was
unable'te secure quorum in, order to
do business, as a number of the senat-
ors we're away as members of commit
tees, investigating the various pubic
institutions of the state. That body,
however is again at work, its list OF
bills has reached $50. S. B. No. 238,
relating to taking sawlogs without
permission, is one by Senator Nc
Reavy.
Thursday the woman suffrage bill is
for consideration in the senate. Sen
ator McReavy is getting solid with the
ladies by taking the lead in their
movement. The Senator endeavored
to secure permission to have some OF
the senate's time given to the ladies
to make their plea, but the motion
failed. However, there is little doubt
about the senate passing woman suf-
frage bill and it will very likely become
law, if not too long delayed.
H. B. All, known as the railroad
bill, passed the house Tuesday by a
vote of SO to II, number of populists
including Hicks of Mason, voting a.
gainst the measure, on the grounds
that it did not fully protect the inter
ests of Western Washington. The bill
provides that the maximum rate for
800 miles on grain and farm products
shall be $3.50, and is framed particu-
larly in the interests of the grain grow
ers of Eastern Washington, leaving
the railroads free to recoup from other
patrons.
Considerable discussion was pro-
voked by Taylor's bill "to prevent cor
rupt practices at elections" Among
other things, the bill prohibits the use
of money at the polls and the distribu-
ton (free) of liquors and cigars on
election day. Three sections COM
polling the officers of political clubs
and committees to file sworn state
ments as to their expenditures during
a campaign we're stricken out on
motion of Frank Baker. Candidates
for Office are required to file sworn
statements of their expenses with the
county clerk. Any person elected in
violation of the act shall forfeit his
Office. The bill was advanced to thir6
realizing.
THERE is as yet no measure propo
sed to do away with the "barefoot boy
school law, but several bills offerin}
amendments are being considered. L
is proposed to abolish the county ex
aiming boards and have the Co. Supt
conduct examination alone, the state
supt. to issue the certificate. Ever,
contract to teach shall be counter
signed by the Co. Supt. The superio
Judge be empowered to enforce tn,
compulsory attendance act, 81 to b.
charged for certificate to teach. Th,
only proposition to change the barefoot
plan ofapportionment is one to appor
ton one half the funds according C
the number of teachers and the
remaining one half based upon the
actual school attendance. The pres
ent apportionment is made acoordins
to the number of children in the dis
trict.