Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-02-11

"Shb uoWH W ucledl III Iut HOuse to-
day, when the bill, favorably recon-
mended last week in committee of the
whole, came up for third reading.
They lacked just two votes of obtain
ing the necessary two thirds for its
passage.
While the senate has reconsidered
the most recent killing it gave to this
masure and few votes will be gain
ed for it by the adoption of the Mad
dox amendment for submission of Il
question upon separate ballot, it is
scarcely possible that even a majority
can be secured, much less the two
thirds vote required.
Helena, Mont, Feb. 9.-(Special to
the Argus This has been a week of
sensations in legislative circles. Fri
day came the report of the judiciary
committee on the Harvey case and it
was no unlucky day for the judge-he
got an acquittal, though trife frayed
at the edges. Just how it happeded
some one nearer the throne than your
correspondent will have to explain.
Then a gambling investigation was
started and day later another prob
ing, this time into the affairs of the
arid land commission. Woman suf-
frage met defeat in the senate for the
third time and was later resurrected,
while in the house the bill passed com.
mittee by good majority.
Both houses got together a number
Of measures and notwithstanding the
side Issues the lawmakers have
much to show for the weeks work.
There is considerable talk being
heard regarding the merits of the Ray
irrigation bill and the weight of
opinion, If not positively averse to the
measure, appears very much that way.
The bill is a long one, about 140 pages,
and is pending in the house. 1t is pro-
posed to divide the state into four dis
tricts, for each of which an engineer
is to be appointed by the governor as
well as fifth, who is to be chief en-
gineer. 1t would be the duty of these
engineers to look after irrigation pro-
jects in general and also to adjudicate
conflicting water right claims, the dis
putants to have the right of appeal to
the district courts If not satisfied with
the findings of the engineer. On the
other hand 1t is claimed that the en-
gineers would be almost certain to
conflict with the federal engineers who
would have large projects in their con-
troll, and on the other hand that water
claimants would certainly appeal from
the decision-which ever side was
worsted-and that the result would
only be added expense. A meeting was
held here tonight, attended by large
number of Legislators and citizens, at
which the matter was discussed and
It is said the consensus of opinion was
against the bill.
A new arrangement of judicial dis
tricts is causing controversy among
the senators and as Fergus is very
much concerned Senator Waite is TAX
ing an active part in the endeavor to
reach an agreement before bill is in
troduced. II is claimed that Judge
Loud is overworked, he now having
the counties of Dawson, Custer, Rose
bud and Yellowstone, while Judge
Cheadle could be given an additional
county without serious inconvenience.
At first II was proposed to take Vel
lowstone from Judge Loud and attach
1t to Fergus in the Tenth district, but
for obvious reasons this did not appear
advisable. Several other adjustments
are proposed but the one which ap-
pears to receive the most favor Is to
readjust four districts, leaving Daw-
son. Rosebud and Custer to make up
the Seventh district, Judge Loud pre-
siding; Yellowstone, Sweet Grass and
Carbon the Sixth district, Judge Henry
presiding; Park, Gallatin and Broad
water the Ninth district. Judge Stew
art presiding; Fergus and Meagher,
the Tenth district. Judge Cheadle pre-
siding. In Park county Judge Henry
is very popular and the representatives
Of that county are the strongest op-
ponents of the plan now proposed
The Meagher county people, 1t seems,
would be we'll pleased TO be placed in
a district with Fergus, especially
while Judge Cheadle continues on the
bench.
Kohrs' eminent domain bill Is scarce
ly likely to meet with approval. Its
effect would be, 1t is claimed. the shut
ting down of all the big smelters, as