The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-19

Governor Peabody has appointed J.
Q. Waggener to be water commission
er in District 6l which comprises
Montezuma, San Miguel and Montrose
counties.
The testimony in the House contest
ed election case of: Bonynge versus
lafroth. from the First Colorado dis
.triet; vas opened at washington June
18th, by the clerk of the House.
The G. "A. r. museum Of war relics
at the capitol will not be decorated
with a Confederate battle flag unless
permission is granted by Congress.
letter from Assistant Adjutant General
Ferguson to the secretary of war re-
questing the loan or gift of such flag
has received negative answer. 1t ap-
pearing that Congress only has the
power to dispose of the war flags.
The Denver Republican quotes Gov
ernor Peabody as saying that an eight
hour law will not be included in the
call for an extra session of the Lesis-
lature, should the governor find it nee
eSsary to issue such a summons. Mel
ther will the initiative and referendum
be included. Unless some other emer-
gency develops. the appropriation bill
will be the only point mentioned.
The state engineer has ordered the
commissioners in the various districts
to Inspect the dams within their jur-
isdiction. A few reports have been re-
Ceived but as there are over 1000
dams in the state, the work will nee
essarily be slow. 1t is alleged that
contractors have not complied with
the law in building many of the dams
The law requires that the state engi-
neer shall pass on all dams, embank-
ments and reservoirs.
The State Land Board at its meet
ing June 9Th granted rights of way to
two railroads. The Denver, Northwest
ern & Pacific was given strip 200 feet
wide and half mile in length in Grand
county, and the Colorado and South
Atern was given passage over three
foHrths of mile of state land in Las
Animas county AT the same meeting
the rental on state land occupied by
the National Printers Home was re-
duccd from 500 to sl2 per year.
State Treasurer Newton has declined
to honor warrants for deficiency claims
on the ground that the act Of the Leg
islature appropriating certain surplus
revenues for this purpose was not le-
gal He has the advice of attor-
neys on this point. The attorney
general has been asked for an opinion
, on the question. At present there is
available for the payment of these
claims about $4,000. The state audit
ing board yesterday approved claims
amounting to about $4,000. Under the
law making the appropriation the
claims are supposed to be paid in the
order of their seniority. and the list
was prepared by the auditors force in
this manner.
Game Commissioner Woodward re-
Gently received word that Thomas G.
= Higgins, chief warden of district No
.. had secured the conviction in the
court at Gunnison of man arrested
for shooting sage hens i'm violation
of the statute A fine of SIS and costs
was imp0;ed on the offender. The
warden considers the conviction i'm
portant, illasmuch as the wardens
have had much trouble in the past in
securing convictions for violation OF
the game law in mountain counties,
because of the prejudices of the JUS
tices of the peace. He believes now
that the people in the same counties
are awakening to the realization that
the game laws are beneficial. he
Iaeq not anticipate continuance OF
trouble which former commission
.rs have had