The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-01-20
THEY Do VERY LITTLE
The Montana Legislators Put in
Their Time But Accomplish
Practically Nothing.
THE CIVIL REST BILL
Reported Without Recommendation.
Geiger- Whiteside Contest Will IA
Be Heard Next Monday. !.
Tuesday-In the Sen ate.

Tuesday-In the Senate.
The session of the senate saw more
business transacted this morning than
at any time since the legislature met
The upper house heard the reports of
several committees, listened to bills
and notices. and decided to count the
vote in the Geiger- -Whiteside contest
next Monday. The printing commit
tee reported the printing Of joint mem
mortal No. /, calling upon the national
congress to enact laws preventing In
dians from wandering off their reserva-
tions.s The military affairs committee
recommended the passage Of senate bill
No. Is. The committee on corporations
other than municipal recommended the
printing Of Senator Stanton's bill de-
fining the liabilities Of railroads when
damages are sustained by employees.
This is the bill the enactment of which
will do away with the fellow servant
doctrine. The judiciary committee
recommended the passage Of senate bill
No. II, relating to alias summons.
Tie committee on public buildings re-
ported that it had examined the facts
and figures contained in the report Of
the state capitol building commission,
and that apparently they were correct
and there was no need for committee
to investigate the affairs Of the commits
sion. The towns and counties commit
tee recommended the printing of senate
bill No. 9.
Norris introduced bill relating to
transportation Of baggage and passen
gers OH railroads, making the maxi
mum passenger rate cents per mile,
being almost identical with his other
measure.
Notices Of bills were given by Stan
ton, relating to pleadings in civil
actions, also amending sections and
20 of the constitution rs to the legisla-
tive department; also vacating plated
lands and restoring titles to dedicated
parts thereof; also relating to fees for
issuance Of naturalization papers. By
Courtney, providing penalty for fail
ure to enclose mining shafts.
Stanton's bill proposes an amendment
to the constitution along the same lines
as the bill introduced in the house two
years ago for the enactment Of direct
legislation, better known as the ill
itiative and referendum. It appears
that the matter was an issue in the
campaign IN Cascade county last year,
being incorporated in the democratic
platform.
The senate went into joint session
with the house at noon and later adj
journed until Wednesday forenoon.
In the House.
The house met at II O'Clock and
after the usual routine business notices
of bills were given as follows:
By Cooney, for the submission to the
qualified electors Of the state an amend
ment relating to the legislative depart
ment.
By Clifford. to prevent the sale Of
liquors on credit.
By Beasley, bill giving to herders
and others having charge Of and at
tending horses, cattle, sheep and other
animals, prior lien on such animals
for wages due for services rendered
during the next preceding year.
By Hedges, to provide for the regis
tration Of land titles and to simplify
and facilitate tile transfer of real estate
under what is known as the Torrens
system.
Under introduction of bills the fol-
lowing We're read first aud second time
and referred:
BY Wilson. 81. B. 80. creating the
Office Of state engineer, defining his
duties and regulating his compensation.
Referred to committee on irrigation
and water rights.
BY Wilson, H. B. 30, establishing
standard Of measurement for water and
defining the equivalent OF q miners
inch. Referred to committee on irri.
cation aud water rights.
BY FitxpAtsiok. H. B. 30, to amend
the politioal code relating to county
officers. This bill gives . county aud.
itor 10 fourth class counties. a. we'll a.
first. second and third class.
by Lindsay, n. B. 81. relating TO
the special tar levy foI bounty fog the
KILLING Of wild animals. Referred 70
the committee on agriculture and stock
growinG.
Dy Watson, II. u. 10. 10 enceusass
tho erection ~ = pulp aud paper mill
aud 70 exempe aAsas from taxatiosa.
Thss bill waa referred by tho speaker 10
ths eamlnlttss an ine0sposations and
inAMulMHtuses. bnt "a Request a NAtts,
who deahsed ths enthusiastically u