The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-01-18
JOB FOR SIXTY DAYS.
State Legislature Met Monday
For the Seventh Session.
Bill For a Railway Commission
Was Among the First Meas
ures Introduced.

Olympia. Wash. Jan. 1.-THE seventh
session of the Washington legislature
opened today with simple ceremonies.
The lobbies were comfortably filled. The
absence of senatorial contest made the
opening proceedings rather tame to
spectators. Both branches of the lepis
lature completed their work of organiza-
ton quickly. The absence of Lieutenant
Governor Daniels gave Senator MegIer
| an opportunity to preside in the senate
as president pro TEN. until Wednesday,
when Lieutenant Governor Mcbride will
take Office
The political atmosphere has cleared
considerably and much satisfaction is
expressed that the speakership fight in
the house was not prolonged The
dem Ocratic side of the house is well or
ganized, but no party feeling was de-
velOped in today's proceedings.
The governors inauguration will
occur Wednesday. The inaugural ball
will be held in the evening and will be
preceded by military reception given
by the governor and his staff.
Railway Commission Bill.
The most important measures of the
day were those providing for a railway
commission and the act aimed to take
the judiciary out of politics. The rail-
way bill is fathered by Preston OF King,
who is slated for the Craftsmanship OF
the committee on railways and trans
portatiOn. His bill is generally drawn
| upon the lines proposed in Senator Toll
mans bill, which will come in later.
Preston's bill, however, gives the ap-
pointment of the three commissioners to
| the governor, lieutenant governor and
auditor, or a majority OF them. Toll
mans bill gives the appointment to the
governor. Preston's bill provides that
only two commissioners will be from the
same party. 1t is evident the lieutenant
| governor and auditor would have the
naming of the commission against the
democratic governor.
Tolman's bill also provides for regu-
latiOn OF the railway service in addition
to rates. Preston has agreed to accept
an amendment Incorporating this
| feature and some other minor points of
| Tolman's bill.
The commissioners are to receive a
salary of $4,000 annually. A secretary
| at $4,000 is allowed and two clerks at
$500.
R. B. Albertson of Seattle was chosen
| speaker of the house.
Canvassed the Vote.
Olym Dia, Wash, Jan 15.-The second
day OF the seventh legislature was oc-
| cupied principally in canvassing the re-
turns OF the recent election for state Of
ticers. A joint session was held in the
house in the afternoon when the returns
were opened.
Governor Rogers will take his oath of
office tomorrow at a joint session and
will read his message. There will be no
other formality in connection with the
| inauguration. The other state officers
| will meet at noon to be sworn in.
Without discussion the senate passed
the bill providing for an appropriation
| OF 100000 to pay the expenses OF the
session. The vote was unanimous.
Four for Mckinley.
Olympia, Wash, Jan. 14.-Washing-
toms presidential electors today cast
the four electoral votes of the state for
Mckinley and selected Charles Sweeny of
Spokane as messenger to carry the re-
turns to Washington. S. G. Cosgrove
was elected chairman of the meeting.
Governor Inaugurated.
Olympia, Wash, Jan. 16.-Governor
Rogers was inaugurated for his second
term this afternoon. The ceremony was
simple, and was conducted in the pres
ence of joint session of the legislature
and witnessed by as many people as
could crowd into the lower house. The
other state officers met this morning
and were sworn in by Justice Reavis.
In the senate committee appointments
Senator Oliver Hall of Whitman has the
Craftsmanship of the committee on agri-
culture and is member of the following
committees: Corporations other than
municipal, railroads and transportation,
state granted school and tide lands,
penal and reformatory institutions.
Senator l.. G. Crow is chairman of the
committee on elections and privileges,
and member of the following: Com
merce, education, enrolled bills, irriga-
ton and arid lands military