The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1899-03-02
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

As the legislative session draws to Its
close, more activity is noticabl in both
Houses. Now is the time when the
jobs are sprung and honest legislators
will do well to keep their eyes pealed.
The biggest job OF the session Is the
Livingston Press Bill, ofwhich we have
more TO say in another column, but its
work is too coarse to pass without its
true nature being known. II is with
out doubt the work OF Sam Davis and
Wallace and will afford second test OF
their power TO betray the liberties OF
the people. 1t is hard for the leopard
to conceal his spots.
The fight over the Purity OF Election
law was resumed last week and unless
the Senate blocks it, this much dis.
cussed law will be removed from the
statute books by the action of the As
semby last Friday. McGowan's bin to
repeal Sec. 4, or the penalty section OF
the law, came up for action, and en- mo.
ton Of Hancock, S T. representative
from Lander, an amendment was at.
tached TO the bill repeating all of the
other sections. The vote on the amend
ment was 10 To II. Mr. Paul voting IN
the negative. The committee that was
appointed 10 revise tse law has failed ia
make any report, and no honest sffor;
seems 20 have been made to so modify
the law a. to retain the good features
see no reason whatever why any limit
should De placed on any candidates le-
Ultimate expenditures in the promotion
Of his election. The chief objection to
the law la its present form Is that legit-
innate expenditures are so limited that
a man cannot make thorough canvass
of his constituency without violating It's
provisions. An amendment to the law
defining those lawful expenditures for
which a candidate can spend as much
as he pleases, such as travelling expen-
ses, printing, public meetings, etc. for
bidding other expenditures, and pro-
viding a heavy penalty, including the
forfeiture Ofthe office to which elected,
in case of violation, would be a good
change. On Saturday, the Senate de-
feated Liyingston's bill to repeal the
law by vote of TO 6, and 1t is prob
able that when McGowan's bill reaches
the upper House. it will be defeated OF
greatly modified.
The womans suffrage constitutional
amendment was made the special order
in the Senate for Monday evening.
Senator Wasson's bill to license lob
byists, which even the Senator's friends
laughed at as joke, was killed in the
Senate on Saturday. When our vener
able lawmakers have nothing better tt
do than to consume their time wit far
cical bills, it strikes us that adjourn
ment Is in order.
BY far the most important measur,
thus far introduced at this session o
the Legislature, is Senate Bill No 4
by Mr.. Ernst, which passed the Senat
unanimously last Saturday. 1t pro
vides for the choice of U. S. Senator
by direct vote of the people, so far as /
can be done under existing nationa
laws. Senatorsare be TO nominated eith
or by conventions or petitions, as othe
State officers are now nominated; tn
names of such nominees are to be place,
on the official ballots under the heading
"Choice for U. S. Senator, vote TO
one, at each general election precedin
a Senatorial election; the vote Is to b
canvassed and returns made just as i
the case OF other State officers; il shal
! be compulsory upon the mem bers o
the Legislature, when they meet t
, elect U. S. Senator, TO vote only TO
+ that man who received the largest mum
) Der of votes at the preceding genera
election, and any Assemblyman or Sen
, ator,who fails to do so, shall be deeme
! guilty OF felony, and shall be punishe
by Incarceration in the State Prise
not exceeding one year, or by fine no
exceeding ten thousand dollars, or both
and shall forever be debarred fror
holding any Office in the State of New
ada, and he shall forfeit his pay as Al
semblyman or Senator. The law fur
Their provides that candidates for tn
, Office OF U. S. Senator be subject to tn
provisions OF the Purity OF Election
law, thesame as other State candidates
This bill, If it becomes law, as
seems to stand fair chance OF becon
ing. will put an end to Senatorial scar
dals in this State.