Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-02-18
Boise Correspondence.

Boise, Feb. Is. The legislature has
not felt like entering enthusiastically
upon its labor since it went into mourn
ing last Friday over the death of our
brave volunteer at Manila. The house
was so sadly effected, especially the
Democratic part, that it wrestled all day
Monday trying to pass the law creating
a regiment of mine inspectors at SIaoo a
year each. The mines of Idaho seem to
demand more inspection than army beef.
But the other industries are not to be out
done in the matter of inspectors. The
horticultural society wants to create the
Office of bug inspector, and wants an
appropriation of 10 or 20 thousand dol
lars with which to experiment on him
the bug. Another society which should
be known as the Unctious Oleaginous
Trust, wants castor oil inspector. Now
some benevolent statesman ought to
urge bill creating the Office of inspector
of warts, bunions and ingrowing toe
nails. We also need state chiropodist,
state clairvoyant and state obsteterician.
Where state is going to be inspected it
ought to be done thoroughly and regard
less of expense. This far the legislature
has only blazed the trail so to speak
Nothing has been provided for except an
inspector of sheep, inspector of
weights and measures, inspector of trees,
inspector of bugs, inspectors of mines
and inspectors of castor oil and mutton
tallow. No state can prosper with only
mere handful of inspectors like that.
Representative Redwine introduced a
bill to prohibit public officials from rid
ing on railroad passes, but its reception
was cool to degree of frigidity. The
member could not regard such a measure
with cordially while the emb1ems of sor-
row still adorned the halls of legislation.
They will become ferved supporters OF
the anti-pass bill about the first of April
when the atmosphere grows balmy and
the date on their pasteboards coinside
with the punch hole. Reynolds of Ada
is statesman of the most advanced and
utilitarian views and deserves to be re-
membered on imperishable stone. He
introduced and succeeded in getting fair
~ under way bill which, if it become
law, will oblige the railroad companies,
operating in the state to build large,
elegant passenger stations and freight
depots at points convenient for all law
abiding citizens. This is step towards
giving every freeholder a depot in his
back yard. Seeing that there are no
Legislative excursions projected, this bill
must have been inspired by tender
solicitude for the public veal,
| A bill providing that eight hours should
constitute legal working day was I'M
tremendously killed in the senate few
days ago. 1t is thought by many that
the treatment was too heroic, and there
is sometalk of a reconsideration. Mad
den, of Canyon county, wants to improve
the moral tone of the state He is pop
ulist, young, handsome and of prohibit
tive instincts. He supported the anti
gambling bill with vigor and ability, be-
lieves i'll keeping holy the Sabbath day,
aud has brought out resolution to
amend the state constitution so as to
prevent the manufacture or sale of intox-
eants within the boundaries of Idaho.
Monday the measure received backset
by being indefinitely postponed. A bill
has been introduced providing for con-
tract road districts. Uuder its provisions
maintenance of roads in any district may
be let by contract. A law with similar
provisions is now operative in Montana
and works successfully.
The Watts-Ainslie river improvement
bill passed the senate with whoop last
Monday. Those voting for it were Aims
lie, Bailey, Brigham, Church, Fogg,
Hooper, Mulliner, Mcdonald, McMurrin,
Price, Stacy, Wright, Watts and Good
ing. Those voting against the bill were,
Easton, Hays, Smith; absent, Bulge,
Carey, Hegstead and Lippincott.
va OtitSI SSudtC DlilS pdSSSu,
but Judging from the present temper of
the house they will never get any fur
Their.
The house committee on appropriations
just about to report the general appro-
priation bill. There will be fun in the
senate before the bill passes. Wallan-
tine, of Bear Lake county, is chairman
of the house committee, End his selec-
ton was happy administration stroke.
Governor Steunenberg says that Wallan-
tine is, beyond comparison, the most
honest and capable member of either
house, and the governor knows because
Wallantine does nothing which is not
first cut out for him and approved by the
governor. When the governor says
thumbs up" its thumbs up and no
questions asked, therefore Wa1lantine
obtains favor in the eye of the admins
tration. The governor has great admi-
ration for men who obey his orders with
a ready smile and prayerful amen.
Valentine is, therefore, man after
his own heart. Some Of the items in rine
general appropriation bill have been de
termined on as far as the governors aid