Gilpin observer., 1902-02-13

Senator Rush has introduced reso-
luton expressing sympathy with the
Beers.
A great many petitions, both for
and against the Bucklin bill, are pre-
sented every day.
Senator Ammons' bill compelling rail-
roads to fence their right of way has
passed the Senate.
Mr.. Montgomery has introduced q
bill for submitting a constitutional
amendment to legalize a state beard of
assessors.
The Senate Wednesday expressed
Its opposition to the State Board of As
SCISSORS feature of the revenue bill by
vote of % to 5.
Senator Whitford has introduced an
amendment upholding the students Of
the School of Mines in their controver-
sy with the faculty.
The Supreme Court has sent an
opinion to the Senate in answer to the
questions relative to the Legislatures
power to recall a constitutional amend
ment which had been submitted to the
people. The court refused to express
its views until the bill was on second
reading and certain of passage.
Senator Taylor introduced a resolu-
ton, which passed, calling upon the
attorney general for an opinion as to
the right of the present session to re-
call or rescind or modify any of the
amendments to the constitution sub
mitted to the people of the Thirteenth
General Assembly at their regular ses-
sion.
The Senate investigation committee,
which is trying to ascertain who took
the roll call on the third reading of the
employers liability bill, is expected to
report some day this week. One inter-
ested in the result of the investigation
said last evening that when the COM
mittee did report something would
drop"
Representative Meade Hammond of
Delta county favors permitting the
board of equalization to make the as
sessments until the people may have
an opportunity next year to enact q
constitutional amendment creating a
state tax commission which will super
sede both the individual assessors and
the board of equalization.
The committee ON insurance has or
dered printed Martins bill compelling
insurance companies to pay into the
state treasury 21a per cent. of the
i gross amount received by them for
premiums. 1t is believed that ma
jority of the Legislators favor the bill
and that it has an excellent chance of
passing. 1t will add at least 100000
to the revenue of the state.
In response to the resolution of Sem
ator Seldomridge. asking an account
ing of money received under the fiat
l-1
the following statement to the Senate:
Number of companies on books
and notified p 500
Number of companies that paid. 2.651
Amount paid under protest. .$32, ,962.74
Amount paid without protest p, ,S7O11
Total .S54, 1888 .45
Representative Briscoe has been can
: vassing the House on the resolution he
intends to introduce declaring that the
only business of the special session is
to pass a revenue law. He said last
night that he had received encourage
ment from a ma jority of the members.
He expects that the House will be
with him and that, unless a deadlock
with the Senate occurs, the House and
Senate will be ready to adjourn next
Saturday.
1t is the purpose of the leaders of the
majority of the House to submit the
revenue bill to Athe Supreme Court
when it has passed second reading.
The judges will be asked to give an
opinion ON the validity of the section
directing the assessors to assess cor
porate property and meet in Denver to
determine upon basis of valuation.
The minority contends that the latter
provision practically creates state
board of assessors and that therefore
1t is unconstitutional.
The main feature of the Senate pro-
ceedngs Tuesday were the hearing of
the Supreme Court decision and the
debate on the State Board of Assessors
feature of the revenue proposition.
This arose out of an amendment TO
the Whitford- Graves bill for a consti-
tutional amendment proposing to sub
stitute such board for the State
Board of Equalization. The feeling in
the Senate Is very strong against the
board of fifty-seven assessors. The in
tangible property assessment feature
was also discussed for time.
Mr.. Ballinger of Park Is generally re-
garded as voicing the sentiments OF
the majority of the representatives
upon the revenue question. "rhe
House," said he, Twill hold out for the
rights of the assessors. They should
be permitted to deal with the corporate
as well as private property. They
should meet in Denver once year to
consult as to valuations. This compar-
lson of notes would not be binding
upon the individual assessors, but
would enable them to secure valuable
data needed in their work. If the Su-
preme Court should decide that we
have the power to create State Board
of Assessors consisting of all the as
SCISSORS, we will constitute such n
body"
After the reading OF the journal
Monday morning Mr.. Ballinger of Park