Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-01-21
Legislative Matters.


The last re-enactuent bill was passed
on Tuesday. II was II. b, No. I7,3
The Nez Pefce solons are in the front
rank in Boise. They have received a
great deal of attention, Representative
Stanton and Senator Stacy are social
lions and Representative Hanlon is the
leader of the minority in the house.
They each hold important positions on
many committees in their respective
bodies, and Of course they will come
home loaded down with honors,
Constitutional amendments, one re
|quirins the supreme court to give opin-
ions in advance respecting the constitu-
tionalily Of doubtful acts, upon request
Of each branch of the legislature and the
governor, and another compelling courts
TO accept the enrolled bills as fnal evi-
dence as to the constitutional passage Of
measures, are among The possibilities of
legislation at this coming session, with a
view to preventing any further turning
down of the laws.
5. b. No. :, was introduced by Watts
and Ainslie last Tuesday. The title of it
is as follows; An act for the itzprove-
ment Of the rivers and their tributaries
in the state of idaho, by deepening,
Strengthening and clearing the channels
thereof, by the erection of dams booms
and canals, and otherwise, and for col
lecting tolls and charges thereon, for the
floating, driving and hauling of saw logs
and other timber products, and the
navigation of boats and RATS. Referred
to the committee on rivers and naviga-
ton
Section of the bill for the appoint
nient of supreme court reporter, fixes
the annual salary at SI2oo. Section s
provides that the reports of the supreme
court shall be published in volumes of
not less than 700 pages each. The pub
Usher shall agree to publish and sell the
said repo rts for period of five years,
the price not TO exceed $3.50 per volume;
provided, that the work shall be done iii
the state of Idaho, if responsible parties
therein offer to do said work on terms as
favorable TO the state as any outside
bidder.
In the legislature SO far very little was
done beyond the introduction and read
ing of bills. The most important meas
ure introduced was one providing for in
spection Of mines and dividing the state
into three districts for the purpose. II
fathered by Bixby, of Owyhee, and Stark,
of Shoshone. The inspectors are to be
elected at the general election, and are
to receive salaries of $500 each. They
are to gather and compile information
concerning the mining industry, in addi-
ton TO looking after the condition Of
mines with respect TO their safety.
The county salary bill about to be in
troduced by Senator Bulge, if enacted,
will save every county i'll the state from
$1,000 to 10000. 1t will put in force the
constitutional amendments carried at the
last election by placing all the county
officials on regular annual salaries to be
regulated BY the county commissioners.
The counties will be classified by this act,
according to their assessed valuation, and
a maximum amount will be fixed for each
official, the county commissioners to use
their judgment in determining how much
less the salary shall be. Present officials
viii not be affected by the bill, but at tie
regular July meeting III 1900 the county
commissioners are 10 iix the salaries for
the next two years for the officers who
will be elected in November following Of
that year.