The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-20

all available for reference under present condi--
tons. The new law goes into effect on July l.
: House Bill No. 90, requiring county auditors
and treasurers to report annually the financial
condition of the counties to the state auditor
that the same may be compiled and published
IN the report Of the auditor. For several years
the auditor has attempted to secure this infor.
nation. and some years has been able to give
1t correctly, but the county officers were not
compelled by law to report, some Of them
were usually delinquent and no complete re-
turns could be given. ".
House Bill rs, introduced by Holman, max
ing every note or contract given for medical
service non-negotiable. This In intended to head
of the fakirs who induce farmers to give notes
for medical service to be rendered in the future
House Bill 90, by Madison, providing that
many fragmentary, funds in the accounts of
the state auditor and treasurer be consolidated
In the general fund. This is in the interest
Of simpler and more comprehensive bookkeeping
House Bill 112. by the committee on food
and dairy products. providing new code for the
administration of the pure food commission. This
is the bill prepared by Commissioner Sherwood
and is the result of his experience in the Office
Senate Bill 6s, by Wagner. providing for the
separate listing Of agricultural and mineral lands
state board to equalize more equitably the as
sessnent in the mining counties. Hitherto all
lands have been listed in class, and mineral
lands could not be equalized upwards without
doing injustice to the farmers. 49,.
Senate Bill rs, also by Wagner. providing that
If an action be brought in the wrong county
and the defendant, before answer, demands
change of the place Of trial to the proper county
the court shall order the same at the cost Of
the plaintiff. This will cut off an abuse much
practiced by some lawyers for the sake Of plac-
ing defendants at inconvenience and disadvan-
tage.
House Bill IS. by Smith, providing for the
examination of the eyes and ears of pupils, was
Indefinitely postponed by the senate by vote
of 81 to II. ..."r '-.'. ''',
Fewer Statutes Than Usual. =
From the foregoing 1t will be observed that,
while each house is passing some Of its own
| bills each day, that but few bills are becoming
laws. Twelve working days remain Of the
| session. and there is plenty Of time to enact
many laws yet, but there is not likely to be as
large volume as usual. From every indication
there will be fewer bills and fewer laws enacted
than in any previous session. -.
County Seat Fights Reach solons.
The county seat contests in walworth and
Charles Mix counties are being revived In the
legislature. In Walworth county the failure to
secure change by vote was taken into court
and an order was secured on which Selby moved
| the records to that town, regardless Of the
vote. An appeal was taken in this case and
| is now pending in the court Now bill has
been introduced to lega1ize Se1by's action.
In Charles Mix county representatives OF
Geddes are here and have introduced bill pro-
viding that when county seat is off railroad,
| and at place where 1t is impossible for the
| move their offices to some town railroad
for the purpose of the transaction of business.
The county seat was left at the little hamlet
of Wheeler, on the river, by the contest be-
tween Geddes and Platte last fall, and citizens
| of Geddes hoped by this bill to secure the
| county seat in fact. If not by a vote. But the
citizens of Platte are not allowing the matter
to sleep, and are here in force to oppose such q
move.
Precedent Established.
In the action of the house on the cattle dip
| ping bill there was established precedent. The
| house overturned a majority report of the ap
! preparations committee and adopted minority
report which recommended increased appro
| priation. The general rule is to adopt the re
| port with the lowest appropriation.