Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-02-05
Press Bureau Correspondents.


JEFFERSON CRY, Jan. 3l.-Unless
the onlooker at the Legislature will
familiarize himself with the rules Of
legislative procedure he is apt to jump
to the conclusion that matters move
slowly, when, in fact, work is being
crowded TO the limit. Some idea OF
the push and vim being injected into
the proceedings by the Democrats
may be gained by a comparison Of the
fact that at this time, the 18th day,
two years ago, in the Senate there had
been introduced l32 bills and the
House 40 bills, Of which it has been
possible for the clerical forces to get
ready and to get printed only 164 SEN
ate bills and 30T House bills.
Another Indication of the rapidity
with which things are done is the fact
that Mr.. Booth, of Dallas, stood alone
against the bill providing that the
City of st. Joseph should sell no pub
lie utility without the consent Of the
people, because printed copies of the
Senate bill were not on the desks.
The School Book Committees and
the Insurance Committees are both
having strenuous times and the sug-
g%estions offered are legion. Repre-
sentative Davidson, Of Marion, Chair
man Of the House Committee on Edu-
cation, this week introduced a bill,
34T, which will, in effect, be a Com
mittee Substitute for all the bills so
far introduced on the question OF text
books. 1t provides for a permanent
text book commission of i've mem
bers. The author does not claim that
it is a perfect bill, but it embodies
some Of the better ideas OF the bills
already introduced and 1t will be
amended.
The House Committee on Tuesday
night win take up Mr.. Williams pas
senger rate reduction bill, and on the
following night the freight rate reduc-
tion bill and will hear evidence on
railroad measures every Tuesday
night.
The Carmody race track people are
here urging c track legislation. j..
r. Rippey, Secretary Of the State
Fair, has been here during the entire
session keeping tab on State Fair in
terests.
The insurance people of the three
principal cities OF the State keep men
here constantly and the different
cities containing State Institutions
have all sent representatives here to
stay for varying lengths of time.
The stock yards measures that we're
argured publicly before a hearing OF
the Joint Committees on Agriculture,
are still under consideration. The
authors of the bills contend that the
yards should be under some sort Of
restrictions, while the stock yards peo-
pie take the position that they are
merely Incorporated to do business
and do not enjoy any franchises or
special privileges and that their rates
are lower than other stock yards and
they should not be legislated against.
In the contest of Cape lDem.l VS..
Elmer tRep.l, from Dent county, the
Democrats unanimously agreed to
seat the Republican.
The big disappointment to the Re-
publicans vas the election law sub
mitted by the Jefferson Club. 1t is
manifestly fair in its provisions. The
proposed law does away with central
registration gives the Republicans the
right TO name their own judges and
clerks and compels their attendance,
provides for the publication OF regis
tration lists in plenty OF time for pre-
cinct eanvasSes and makes violations
Of the law felony in most instances.
The report Of the committee which
audited all the State books and ae-
counts, including a thorough and :
searching investigation OF the Audi /.
tors office, wasa drop OF wormwood in
the Republican cup OF bitterness. The ,
member,of the committee, p,
Representative Speer, OF Usage coun-
~, after a most searching and thor
Dugh examination during which all
the books and papers we're placed at
lis disposal, placed his party on I
,ecord as has his predecessors, as find .
ng the State books and accounts cor
-ectly and properly kept and this
100, after the Republican resolution 4
or an investigating committee and
III the campaign tommyrot about $
the books" during the past several 8
Nearly the entire membership Of
he Legislature has left jefferson City
nd the majority OF them are attend
ng the magnificent banquet given by Q
be Jefferson Club in ST. Louis To- y
light. Il
One Of the members OF the commit =
ee which is investigating conditions
t the Penitentiary informs US that
be Committees have discovered no U
buses Of moment and the whole az
lir is coming 10 be looked upon as a
Ian designed by certain manufactur-
rs who want the factories az the
pen" stopped. II there are abuses
bis committee is COMPOSED Of men
no will 30 find and report.
Don't forget the Racine line Of Bug
les. You will have no losse tires on