Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-08-26
Legislation for Labor.

Legislation for Labor.
We shall have more to say elsewhere on
The work Of the mining and labor bureau
which the Fusion Legislature established.
Let Il suffice to remark here that thiS was
among its best measures. The Governor
has been most fortunate III the selection
Of men to carry the new law into erect.
and as a consequence the miner ana Ia
borer generally arc no" iuilv pioAeS'e"
in life and limb.
Tho lien law protecting labor against
yraud or failure is one Of the best on tho
statute books of any state. IT stands 10
+he high credit of the Fusion Legislature
that the lien law it enacted gives labor an
indisputable lien upon the property OF
corporations.
II enacted a law compelling street car
comuanies to protect the lives of the trav-
cling public by placing proper guards.
enrons pilots or tenders on its cars. ana
also another law forbidding them to en-
plov any but competent and experienced
men TO operate the same.
1t enacted a law protecting the wages
OF the toiler and householder 10 inc
amount of 500 from garnishment or at
tachment, so that tho families of the poor
but honest might not become pubic
charges.
1t will be seen that no Legislature en-
acted so many measures for the benent OF
the working people and the poorer class
of society as that of 1897. which proves
that 1t was true TO the trust reposeu IN
It and was essentially of the people.
Toilers are not likely to forget these
facts when election day comes round.
Insurance Legislation.
The Fusion Legislature also passed a
valued insurance policy law. This measure
secures to the insured the amount of in
10 COmDplS
companies doing business in the state to
comply with the provisions thereof. The
Secretary of State has in this case been
fortunate in his selection of the rlghs
person to discharge the duties OF Deputy
Insurance Commissioner. the department
being attached to that Of the Secretary or
State and made a branch thereon.
In a recent summary of the good work
Of this last Legislature 1t is noted that:
1.-THE tax income Of 1897 from insurance
companies on the business of 1896 was VA
e23 Is. while the fes of this department Tor
the past year were s576.15, making a total
of $2069991. The taxes collected this year
on the business of 1897 will exceed $4,000.
and the fees will reach 5000. while the an
nual expense of the department does not
exceed $780,"
Educational Improvements.
The LEGISLATURE Of 1897 also codifled the
school laws Of the state. making a more
equitable and effective distribution OF the
school fund. and raising the efficiency OF
the school, system to the very highest
standard It will be shown in the records
Of the State Superintendent Of Public In
etruction, and those of the County Super
intendents that never before were the
educational institutions Of Washington.
both as to the common schools and high
er institutions, in such fourishing and
effective condition as they are today.
: The Tax on Corporations.
Our Legislature also enacted a law COM
pelling corporations to pay a reasonable
tax on their franchises, which. as will
be seen in another part of this publication.
has greatly increased the revenue receipts
OF the Secretary Of States Office. For in
stance the first year Of the adoption OF
this law raised the revenue in the State
In 1887. This Is gain Of over 80 per cent.
OF course, this new work greatly in
creased the labors of the Secretary of
State but strange as it may appear. the
expenses Of that Office for the year 1896
were $15,215 as against $11 $50 in 1897. show
ing a decrease of $s.5S5. or "a per cent.
Does the voter ask for any further evil
dences Of reform on the line of economy
May we not congratulate our Secretary Of
State on the fact that during the first
year Of his administration he increased
the receipts Of his Office 1863 per cent, and
decreased its expenses "a per cent?
Railroad Rates Reduced.
The railroad rate law passed by the
Legislature of 1897 has met with criticism
on the score that 1t does not go far
enough on the line Of reducing rates, but
1t Is an important move forward. and may
be followed up to great advantage. 1t Is
an excellent measure as far as 1t goes.
1t has been estimated that 1t saved to
the farmers Of Eastern Washington on
their products Of 1897. on the basis of 90 =
100000 bushels the sum Of $500 900, but be
the amount even less. 1t effected an i'm.
portant reduction Of freight rates. and a
corresponding saving to the producing
class, for which the law making body
elected by the Peoples Party deserves
great credit. A further reduction will
no doubt be accomplished at the next ses-
sion. unless the Republicans gain control
which should not be predicted as among
possible calamities.
The Tide Land Fund.
It enacted a law abolishing the tide
land fund and authorized the investment
Of the same. about 5000 in state war;
rants, thereby saving a large sum in in.
terest to the taxpayers. This is one Of
the grandest pieces Of legislation to be
found in the annals Of the state. 1t is
far reaching in Its character, and as the
whole matter is fully summed up in an
account Of the doings of the department
OF the Land Commissioner of the State.
further reference to the measure here is
deemed unnecessary.
Various Good Laws.
The Legislature enacted a law reducing
ha Of interest & cent