Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1899-01-21
Legislative Cranks.


While it is deplorable that our legisla-
ture is afflicted with the genus, crank.
Ill the person of senator Reinhart, pop.
yet it is some satisfaction to know that
there are others. 1t is also satisfactory
to learn that this genus is almost always
found among our long haired brethren of
popullstic tendencies. Now that the leg
isIatnres of the various states have con-
vened it may not be amiss to refer to
some OF the resolutions and bills intro
duced by some of these legislative
cranks.
AT recent session OF the Kansas leris-
lature. a.populist introduced the ten COM
mandments, in the form of a bouse-hin
and gravely insisted on its passage in
spite of the remonstrance of his con
freres.
The legislature of Minnesota, at one
time gravely debated the ACCESSIBILITY of
changing the relation between the circle
and its radius from 3.l416 to 3.l6.
A bill was introduced in the Oklaha-
ma Legislature, by another.populist, for
bidding any man to marry his mother-in
law.
A Virginia legislator proposed to pun.
ish any man, guilty of flirting with girls,
by fine of from $500 to $1,000, and an
other member of the same Legislature in
PRODUCED a bill fning a man heavily for
remaining unmarried after reaching the
age OF twenty eight.
The populist Legislature of Kansas is
responsible for the introduction of a bill
fining anyone for snoring in railroad
car; also bill making it misdemeanor
for women to wear corsets or boomers.
In Indiana n measure was introduced
making it obligatory for all saloon-keep-
ers, and others engaged in the sale of in
toxicants, to paint the word. Danger.
on the front door.
South Carolina Legislators introduced a
bill doing away with the hip pockets in
mems trousers as p means to discourage
carrying revolvers. When this bill came
up for passage a senator from Kentucky
pointedly asked, where then shall We
carry our liquid refreshment?", and the
bill was unanimously defeated.
In Ohio it was proposed TO make it
misdsmeanor for one to offer to treat an
other to II drink OF liquor; this bill was
also promptly sat down on.
A populist member in Virginia legis-
lature offered resolution making it DOS
sible for any citizen to become a full.
fiedged colonel by paying fee of $I.0o.
Michigan and Vermont legislator -
have had bills introduced, making no.
tel keeper or restaurant proprietor liable
to heavy fine for using foreign words
on their bills OF fare.
Representative Wheeler of Pennsyl-
vania introduced bill making it illegal
for anyone to engage in the business of a
book agent.
In Massachusetts a bill was introduc.
Ell making it a misdemeanor for any ed.
itor to publish any undue eulogy of any
person, thus giving him a false reputs.
ton for merit, except in case OF obituary
notices.
Last February bill reached it's final
reading in New Jersey, proposing to tax
cd bachelors for the support of depend
emit old maids In the senate it was
amended to also tax wealthy old maids
and widows for the support of depend
ent old bachelor, but it failed to pass.
In conclusion may be mentioned the
old fat bills so often introduced bv our
silver crsnks and populists, TO create
wealth by enactment, believing as they
do that simple enactment Is all that is
necessary to food the country with mon.
ey and make every body rich.