The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1903-03-14
COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AND DOINGS AT THE CAPITAL

during the debate on the report of the
special committee composed OF Sem
ators Seldomridge. Griffith and Ewing.
to investigate the House appropriation
bills. The recommendation of the
committee that the contingent fund
be reduced from 33S, 900 met with NO
opposition from the Republican MEM
beers. On the contrary. 1t was Senator
Wood, . Republican, who moved that
II be still further reduced to SIS. 600
and the amendment prevailed. Theirs
was spirited verbal combat over the
amendment to allow S1.476 for the ex-
penses Of the Senate during the siege
incumbent upon the election OF
United States senator. The Republi-
cans fought hard againAt the appropri-
alton for these expenses. while the
Senate was in committee Of the whole.
but the bill was easily passed.
The House and Senate committees on
state institutions on Wednesday. March
4th. made the trip around the Horn"
for the purpose Of visiting the State
University at Boulder. the Agricultural
College at Fort Collins, and the Nor
NAL School at Greeley. With the two
committees went other members Of the
Legislature. many of whom were ac-
companied by their wives and children.
In all there were about $50 people on
the Colorado & Southern train when 1t
left the Union Depot at $3.50 in the NOR
ming. At Boulder the excursioniste
were given reception in the Univers-
ity chapel. where President Baker made
statement of the needs Of the insti-
tuition. The University cadets were out
| in uniform and saluted the party in
military style, while other students
l orr cd hop viii
citizens of Fort Collins gave the visit
! ors a magnificent dinner in the Agri-
| cultural College auditorium. The ca
diets fired an artillery salute. At Gree
ley the members Of the party were
taken GU. to the Normal School in car
riages and treated to refreshments.
Senator Rushs bill to prevent the
securing Of public franchises by fraud
ulent means, is comprised in one sec
ton. As follows: Section Whenever
any persons who are residents of and
taxpayers in the county in which such
action is brought, shall file verified
complaint, setting up that any fran
chise has been, or Is about to be,
granted through fraud. bribery or cor
rupt practices or that the terms of such
franchise violate the rights of the peo-
pie, the District Court, or any Judge
thereof, in vacation, shall Immediately
act as in matters of injunction, and
shall speedily hear and determine the
truth OF the matters alleged. And in
case 1t shall be found that any such
franchise is about to be granted by
any such means, then the court shall
perpetually enjoin the proper parties in
the premises; and in case any such
franchise shall have been granted, by
sob th4,, %h1 f,-lI
enter an order annulling and decreeing
such franchise to be void, and the court
shall have all power necessary to carry
out and execute its orders. The right
Of appeal and writ of error shall be
allowed as In other cases."
The Senate. in committee of the
whole. considered Senate bill No. 1870,
by Senator Rush. providing for the
merging Of corporations and the pro-
lection Of stockholders and the public.
and made several amendments. It con-
tains the following stringent proviso:
Provided, that no corporation owning,
controlling, operating or furnishing
any public utility In this state shall be
permitted to merge or consolidate as
in this act provided, unless application
first be made to the District Court OF
the district in which the principal
business of such corporation is situate.
nor until said court shall appoint three
competent, disinterested persons ap-
praisers. who shall proceed forthwith
to appraise all the property owned by
said corporation, exclusive of franchise
values and make report thereof to
said court. and the court shall have
power to hear objections upon behalf
OF the corporation and upon behalf of
the users Of such public utility. and
shall thereupon determine the justness
and fairness Of such appraisement,
which determination shall be final.
The value so fixed for the several cor
porationS merging or consolidating
shall be and constitute limit of cap
italization OF the new or consolidated
company and at no time shall it be
lawful for any such consolidated or
merged company to charge rates to
the users Of any such public utility in
excess Of such rates as shall yield eight
per cent. net upon such capitalization,
including betterments and improve
ments."
The Republican Of March 9Th says:
William G. Munsell. who was clerk in
the ONCE of Former State Auditor c..
w. Crouter and in charge of the fat
tax department. is declared defaulter
by the report OF Lewis SchWanDeck,
who has been investigating the fiat tax
books. The amount Of the shortage Is
not definitely known, but 1t Is placed
at 5000 to $500. Munsell was re-
ported yesterday to have disappeared,
and warrent for his arrest was is
sued and placed In the hands of City
Detectives Koehler and White. Mum
sell was not under bond to his employ
er, and Mr.. Crouter stated last night
that he expected to personally make
the shortage good. He places the
amount at $500. Auditor John Holm
berg says the amount is 5000. The
estimate that the deficiency will reach
"a. 800 came from attaches of the audit
or's ONCE. Munsell was said yester-
day to have disappeared from his home