Gilpin observer., 1899-03-23

out of use, the reason being that the
complicated brands disfigure the hides.
A fee is to be charged for the use Of
brands under the provisions of the bill
and these are to be forfeited in cases
of delinquency. The bill had been
carefully amended by the Stock COM
mittee, so as to meet certain objections.
The same old fight between the small
and the large owner was fought out
again over the measure even in its
amended form. The bill passed sec
ond reading by considerable major
ity.
Legislative practice as regards the
dealing out of patronage is to be
revolutionized by the Twelfth General
Assembly unless the House undoes
the work that has been so carefully
accomplished by the Senate. A def
mite step in the direction of reform
was taken by the Senate the other day
when it passed on third reading S.
b. No. 26, the McCreery salary BILL
which reduces visibly both the num-
Der and the pay of the Assembly Off
GERS and employees. Under the law of
1895 the last act of the Legislature
passed on the subject, the Senate is al
lowed sixty officers and employees. and
tie House of Representatives seventy
Of 130. The McCreery bill reduces the
total to eighty-four, giving the Senate
thirty-seven and the house forty-seven.
BY cutting off forty-six employees the
Legislature will save to the state
thousands of dollars annually.
Mr.. Smiths bill to reduce palace car
rates was amended SO as to strike out
the provisions relating to burglar proof
safes and the measure then passed Sec
ond reading in the House. Following is
the main section of the bill: 1T shall
be unlawful for any individual or indi-
viduals, corporation or corporations or
associations, owning, leasing or operat-
ing any car or cars commonly known as
sleeping, boudoir, parlor or drawing
room cars, for the transportation of
passengers over the lines of any rail-
road or RAILROADS within the boundaies
OF this state, to make greater charge
| tnan One-half of one cent per mile for
the use of lower berths and One-third
of one cent per mile for the use of up
per berths in such sleeping cars; and
for the occupation of seat in either
sleeping, boudoir, parlor or drawing
room cars, there shall not be charged
a greater rate than one-half of one cent
per mile during the time such seat is in
use: providing. that no charge greater
than two dollars 5000 shall be charged
within this state, for such berth or seat
in said cars"
The general appropriation bill to
support the state government for the
present biennial period is now before
the Legislature. Chairman Briscoe of
the House appropriation committee in
troduced the measure Monday night
and the title was read. 1t will probao-
ly be ordered printed to-day. The
Briscoe bill contemplates a total appro-
priation of $645,7OO but this includes
S1O3,35I.54 appropriated by the emerg-
ency bill passed several weeks ago
The appropriation two years ago was
$6O4, 500, making an increase of $4O,-
900. The bill runs from December 1,
1898. to December 1, 1900. Two sec
tionS of the bill contain important pro-
visions. One of them seeks to mako
the governor. the auditor and the at
torney general an auditing board to
pass upon incidental bills, instead of
distributing the incidental fund among
the departments, as is now done under
the present law. The other provision
requires that officials shall furnish
sworn certificates and vouchers to
show that their mileage expense is that
actually incurred.
Governor Thomas has affixed his
official signature to what Is commonly
known as the 1.-The eight-hour bill"
This bill, regulating the hours Of en-
ployment in underground mines and in
smelling and ore reductions, passed
both the House and Senate without
amendment and becomes law in irs
original form. Its full text Is as fol
lows:
Section I. The period OF employ
ne rnV-f -fV.v
ground mines or workings shall be
eight (S) hours per day. except in
cases of emergency where life or prop
erty is in imminent danger.
Sec. 2. The period of employment
of workingmen in smelters. and In all
other institutions for the reduction or
refining of ores or metals shall be
eight hours per day, except in cases of
emergency, where life or property is In
imminent danger.
Sec. 3. Any person, body corporate.
agent, manager or employer who shall
violate any of the provisions of Sec
tions one and two of this act shall be
deemed guilty of misdemeanor. and
upon conviction. shall be punished by
n fine of not less than $50 nor more
than $500. or by Imprisonment not
more than six months, or by both fine
and Imprisonment.
The bill Of Judge Kennedy to remove
the Soldiers and Sailors Home from
Monte Vista was brought up in the
House last Thursday and another
fight was prccipitated on it. George
Smith and Messrs. Hammond Law
renee. Rawalt. Montgomery. Short and
Clark spoke against the bill. The op-
position based its objections on eco
nomic grounds and the dcsertion of the
quarters at Monte Vista without max
ing provision for their occupancy.
Mr.. Rawalt declared II was an Arapa-
hoe county scheme. Messrs. Cannon,
Elliott. Browning and Fnrris favored