The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1905-03-11
Dan Deans Story of
the 9th Legislature

tut. II they want their properties
relieved from the burden OF taxa
ton. then lot them turn over said
property TO the state. dialucorporate
and not own the property them
selves.
Fortunately the bin eamo to the
house too late Tor action. AS the
session vas about over aud num-
Der OF solona were fighting tooth
aud nail TO have their measures
considered. 80 the FRAT boys will
have To pay tue taxes ON the SO
cicty buildings for the neat two
years. anyway
PUBLIC tNnECESCY.
What do you think of tarEe
body OF public servants engaged In
important legislation. who mlseon-
strue the words Of fellow mem
her into a more than vulgar mean
lng and laugh boistcrously In tho
faces of decent women seated in the
Eallrrieaf
Just such a thing occurred a week
or 50 aEo in the house OF repro
sentativaa.
ono OF tho King county members
arnse 20 discuss an important meas
ure. lie used In one sentence an
expression that Is the best OF En-
giish. but that can be turned about
10 express an ahhorrrnt XulEarlsm.
Instantly there was roar of
laughter nom a majority uf tho
aolona. who slapped their knees and
bent double IN the ceatncy % a
putrid vitticium.
A score OF them stared at the
women In the gallery and their
mirth was Increased by the looks OF
embarrassment expressed in tho
faces OF the spectators.
In vain did the speaker rap for
order.
Il was too good Joke
Il appealed dirvctly 70 the hearts
OF big part Of the house and the
members nudErd each other In the
ribs and smirked Al the women
above them. many Of whom left the
galleries In disgust
Little strAws show which way
the wtnd blows
That ono instance 81 unEeutlo-
mAnllnsss. Of uncuufh manueFisn.
vas but one Indication Of the true
makeup Of a majority - these So
called lawmakers
TON FOOL BILLS
The other day the house was
called upon to act On what Is known
as the trading stamp bill"
II u measure to Kill of the
trading stamp business IN the state.
A majority Of the committee TO
whom the bill was referred on first
reading reported in favor Of it,
passage
Hut-
The minority. composed % law
yeFa. advised that IL be indefinitely
postponed. not because the object
Us ne bill Waa not a iaudahia one.
b. because the bill Naa absolutely
Ulaiitutional and would never
D ieetive
Galore tho house 4 was explained
LAR the supreme courts % seVva
states had decided that Just surh a
measure saa unconstitutional. and
the membera wgre advised 90 vote
ia favor Of is indefinite postpone
meut TO save any future trouble and
pat the legislature IN the unfavor-
able light OF passing an uneansti-
rational measure.
But the words OF wisdom had tho
same effect A. a summer shower on
a TN roof Il did not make am diff
fe ence to the legislators whether
the bill Vas unconstitutional.
whether the courts OF seven states
had decided so-not q bit-thsy
passed Il. anyhow.
hiCh meamH that one OF our
gee must work about a week In
drawing mp = decision killing the
bal. and the taxpayers bear the sx-
peuse.
Another tom-fool piece OF legis-
lation was the passage q a bill By
representative Weber. which pro-
vdsd that eity had the right 20
seize any underground OF peeuiat-
INK watsr for city water purposes.
The bill vas In the nature Of an
amendment 10 the present Law.
This present Law provides that a
city has the right to take or seize
any property or water within or
without city limits for city water
purposes II covers every coneeiy-
abe manner in which the water
night may DO secured. but Repre-
sentative Weber wanted 70 be sure
Il meant underground water. Inas-
much "a the present Law applies 10
property" as we'll as water. there
IL absolutely 10 ryhme or reason for
the amendment
This bill first met defeat: II was
then reeonsidsrrd and passed and
then the saEaeious senator Tucker
had Il up for reconsideration again.
As matter OF fact II did not make
an lota % difference whether the
BIZ passed or was defeated. Every
proylso II contained e. already COW
cred By the law.
Still
/ i gave the legislators something
10 do. and kept them from working
on measures that DO SOM ETHING.
And yet there IL a good argument
/ advanced In favor Of such a condi-
ton % legislative generalization.
A Washington attorney-ons OF
I the most prominent In the state
recently told mo that the less work
the legislature does. the better of
the people are.
House bill al was another lovely
creature Of pareais-affllcted mind