Gilpin observer., 1899-03-02
WHAT THE COLORADO
LEGISLATURE is DOING.

occupying a great deal of attention in
the Senate.
The Senate adopted resolution to
print 300 copies of the governors anti
trust message.
The House has decided to hold three
night sessions each week until the calen-
dar is cleared.
The bill to abolish the position of
Supreme Court reporter caused long
and warm debate in the Senate Friday.
Senator Philips precinct option bill
has been reported to the Senate by the
Arapahoe committee without recon-
mendation.
The bill to make eight hours a days
work in mines and smelters has passed
its second reading in the Senate by a
vote of 10 to 0.
Inc governor sent message to the
Legislature Tuesday denouncing trusts
and urging legislation to protect the
people against them.
The Senate has killed Senator Philips
usury bill. The measure provided n le
| gal interest rate of six per cent, all
above that amount to be usury.
A bill has passed the Senate provid-
ing that graduates of all universities,
colleges and normal schools who have
taken certain courses may teach on
the strength of their diplomas.
The bill requiring insurance COM
/ panies to pay the full value of policies
when insured property is totally de-
stroyed has passed the Senate. Mr..
Buckley led the opposition to the meas
ure
| Mr.. Gaughan's mechanics lien bill
was recommended for passage by the
| committee of the whole after being
slightly amended. This bill seeks to
give miners liens upon mining property,
even though they are employed by
leasers or sub-leasers.
DR.. Judkns' inheritance tax bill, as
amended last week in the committee
of the whole, passed the House of
Representatives Friday. Other bills
passed were Senator Whitford's meas
ure to regulate the admission of evil
dence in civil actions, and that of Mr..
Ballinger to allow the release of one or
more joint debtors.
The Teller county bill nearly caused
fight in the House Friday, the con-
test arising over the proposition to
send committee to Cripple Creek to
investigate the need of new county.
The motion finally carried by one vote.
The committee appointed is as follows:
Short, Smith of Chaffee, Rawalt, Sloan,
Burwell, Castetter, Schroeder, Ken
drick, Bell.
Everett Bells anti-scrip bill passed
the House of Representatives Thurs
day without dissenting vote. The
author Of the measure had the emerg-
ency clause added to it and both clause
and bill were passed. Mr. Bell said
the coal corporations would test the
constitutionality of the proposed law
and he wanted to give them as early
an opportunity as possible. The vote
stood SO to O.
The House committee on canals and
reservoirs has reported favorably on
the measure requesting the United
States to spend 100000 a year for
five years in constructing an immense
system of reservoirs in Colorado. The
point is made that government that
spends so much to improve rivers and
harbors should certainly do something
for people who have neither rivers nor
harbors to improve.
The finance committee of the two
houses have decided to investigate the
demand of the citizens of Ouray coun-
ty with regard to the purchase of the
Mears toll road in that county. A bill
calling for its purchase is before the
Legislature, and the committees are
anxious to know the sentiments Of the
citizens before appropriating money
for the purchase of the road, also
whether the demand is just.
Txyn of
passed by the Senate on the 23rd. One
of them is to amend the general stat
utes in regard to the formation of cor
porations. 1t proposes TO give power
to railroad companies to lease or pur
chase lines not parallel. The other is to
fix the liability of fire insurance COM
panies in certain cases, known as the
valued policy insurance. Senator Buck
ley alone opposed its passage.
1t is unlikely that further protest
will be made against paying the tex
cess" employees of Senate and House.
though the representatives who made
the first protest still declare the Off
GERS have not been legally employed.
They state that they have discovered
that certain employees of the Seventh
General Assembly. occupying the
same position as the extra employees of
the Twelfth, received warrants that
have been classed among the Illegal
excess warrants ana have never been
paid.
Senator Ammons' bill creating n state
railroad commission and in many ways
regulating the conduct of transporta-
tion corporations has encountered n
snag in the Senate committee on cor
poratlons, and the ultimate disposition
of the measure Is in doubt The com
mittee held n meeting Thursday even
ing. and 1t was told afterward that
stormy scenes were enacted ON Mr..
Ammons' account. 1t Is well under
stood that there will be two reports ON
the measure. 1t is said that the com