Arizona silver belt., 1899-01-19
Both Houses Organized and Ready
 for Active Work,
Qiia County Remembered In the
 Distribution of Pie.
PuorNrx. Ariz Ian

l representatives of Glla county were early on the ground and that they were not indifferent to the claims of their county, is shown by reference to the ''plums" that they knocked from the tree of legislative patronage. Al. together Gila county drew four of the best positions ut the bands of the Dem- ocrstic majority. The representatives of Gila county who will answer to roll call in the third house are: R. s. Maclay of Globe, assistant chief clerk in the council; Herbert l.. Fuller of Globe committee clerk in the council; Harry Messinger, of Pleasant Valley, enrolling and eugrossing clerk of the house and George II. Hunt of Pine, watchman of the house. Graham county was equally fortunate and be- tween the two counties they secured one-third of the legislative patronage.
 uc oOutuctu Oi SOuu- cil arrived on the ground to find that the five democratic members from the north were pledged to Goldwater, of Prescott, for president of the council. An ugly rumor was afloat Saturday morning to the effect that the north would also demand the best part of the patronage at tho hands of the legisla- ture. Later in the day however this rumor was proven grouudless and the southern mem hefs were invited to name the positions they desired for their counties which would be granted: The understanding among tho northert counties had gone uo further than to ngreo on who shouli he president of the conncil. After these concessions the southern members expressed a willingness to go into caueus oDd what looked at one time mighty probable cause of a split in ihe party, was annie ably and satisfactorily settled to nll parties concerned.
 This week caucus of tho democrats of both houses will be called. In thie caucus they will discuss the measures to which they are pledged by their ter ritorial platform and take steps to se- cure their immedia'e passage by the democratic majority of both houses. There Is DO doubt but that the gover- nor will be given an opportunity 10 veto some of his pet measures. The loan commission and board of equsliza- ton must 80, that is the sense of the democrats in both houses. They are pledged to the people to abolish these abominnticns, and they owe it to their constituents to fnlfill those pledges.
 Hon. Geo. W. ?. Hunt has taken up his position at his old desk just to the left of the speaker. Mir. Hunt is the ssnicr member of the council on the democratic side, by virtue of his long service in both houses. He had the support of the southern members of the territory fer president. but the western combination was foo well fixed. In consequence of this he Is recognized as the leader on the democratic side and his name will be found on all the important committees. The people of the territory, and especially Gila county, know where to fad George Hunt on any measure introduced for the benefit of the taxpayers and in the interest of the public good.
 By tho way the only man in the leg islaturs to refuse a railroad pass halls from Gila county. He received it in the mail last Tuesday morning but to the wonder and nstonishment of north. ern railroad officials, it WAS returned to them on the same day.
 In the house J. c. Evans has be- come one of the important and active members. He secured two positions Tor his county in the organization of the house, something that Gila county has not received for long time.
 This week has been given over en- tirely to organization and receiving the governors message. Nothing in the way of legislation IS expected for several days, although George Hunt has several important bills up his sleeve which he will introduce at the earliest opportunity. After the wear and tear of organization and the dis tribution of the legislative pie, the members all feel like resting. It's hard brain work, trying to please ev- eryone.
 Bob Maclay has entered on his du- ties as assistant chief clerk with grace that shows he is in every way qualified for the position to which he was elected. During the absence of the chief clerk, Eugene Trippel, of Tue son, Bob is at present assuming hIs duties.
 The first negro to receive recogni- tiou in an official position around the legislature is W. P, Robert, colored preacher of Maricopa county. The Maricopa democrats demanded this position as their share of the patron