The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-03-03

ma. and the schools for the deaf. and fhs
blind at Fsribault. rms amendment was
who contend that it was a device Of the
enemies of the bill to load it down with
Objectionable provisions. The bill was
again taken up as a. special order by the
Slight and on motion of Senator Brewer.
who is leading the contest for the etiu.
cational institutions, a further postpone-
ment was taken until next Friday after
noon. There was spirited contest over
the adoption of Mr.. Brewers motion.
which won out by the narrow margin OF
one vote.
yoked in the house in the course of Con.
sideration of the Adams bill, which nro
yides that when lumber is sold as inch
stuff it shall measure a full inch etc a
Minneapolis member made the point that
such law would serve no practical pur-
pose, inasmuch as all lumber was cut for
certain purposes with which builders were
perfectly familiar Mr.. Adams contended
that there was no more good reason why
lumber should be sold on false representa-
ton than any other commodity A mo-
ton to indefinitely postpone the bin was
defeated, and furthef action was delayed
Tax Commissioner.
Representative S. D.. Peterson has in
troduced a bill which provides for the
creation of the once or tax commissioner
pointed by the governor and to hold office
until January, 1907, after which time a
four-year term is provided. The principal
duty of the commissioner will be to ferret
out unpaid taxes and to see that nublic
service corporations pay their share of
the public burden. In addition he is to
make a study of laws in other states for
the purpose of suggesting improvements
in our taxation laws to the legislature.
Advocates of good roads have been get
ting together recently. with the result
that general form OF q proposed new
lax IL a oTnp6 nDOn nd q
mittee of the joint road and bridge COM
mittee has been appointed, with instruc-
lions to draft bill along indicated lines
and have it introduced. The bill will pro-
vide for a highway commission of three.
to serve without pay. The state tax OF
one-twentieth of a mill is to be levied
each year and distributed among the
counties. The money is to be spent by
the county commissioners, subject to the
approval of the state commission. The
commission is to be allowed an appropria-
ton for the employment OF engineers and
experts are allowed. Their duties will be
to investigate and report upon proposed
new roads. Counties are given the option
of building any kind of road which seems
best to suit local conditions and may
establish grades and build scientific roads
only when they desire. 1t is calculated
that inasmuch as there will be no direct
tax for road purposes this year, the pro-
posed new law will interfere in no way
with the passage of the usual omnibus
road and bridge measure by this legisla-
ture
Representative ]. B. Kelly is the au-
thor of bill which provides for increas-
ing the terms of all county officials to
four years, 1t also INCLUDES a provision
which would extend the terms of two
year officials already elected.
Railway Fares.
Representative Ware, Of Northfield has
introduced a substitute for his 2k cent
no 60 in THyhi oh oh
jections are obviated which We're urged
against the original bill. Reduced eX-
cursion rates are permitted and inter-
rate are made compulsory. Mr.. Ware also
introduced a bill making 1t malfeasance
for any public officer. elective or appoint
i've, to solicit or accept passes, reduc-
tions in prices or favors of any kind
from railways, telephones or telegraph
companies Removal from office by the
governor is the punishment prescribed.
For those who offer such favors a fine of
$500 is fixed.
1t is still a matter Of doubt whether
or not the Legislature will be able to plep-
erly amend the code revision report so
ton at this session. The judiciary com
mittees of both houses have been 1aboring
with great diligence ard the mass of
amendments which haze been agreed
upon is somewhat appalling in view Of
the fact that scores of important bills
have vet to receive actiCp at the hands
of both houses. Chairman Anderson, OF
h fhe eomse w ts feels
before the house within the week, and it
has been agreed amont the leaders to
each afternoon, until the task is COM
pleted. This is slow wtrk and will con-
sumo a great deal of tine, and more will
be consumed when the. two houses have
succeeded, each to their own satisfac tion,
in framing code, try to get together on
the points of difference which are certain
to result.
Representative Gates has introduced
bill giving village councils power to pre-
scribe safety regulations at railway cross
ings.
Representative Bardwell is the author
of bill appropriating $1,000 to aid the
Minnesota Horticultural Society.
The state dairy and food department
was not satisfied with the revision Of
the law as it came from the code COM
mission. insofar as it related to the work
of that department, and will submit an
entirely new section which has been care
fully prepared for it by Former Assistant
Attorney General Somerby.
Gov. Johnson has transmitted to the
legislature a communication from the Of
fcials of the Lewis and Clarke exposition.
to be held at Portland. Ore. this year.
and that suitable display of our prod
ucts be provided for. The legislature will
doubtless be called upon to pass upon an
for the purpose.
Insurance Laws.
Over thirty amendments to the insur-
ance laws, as revised by the statute revi-
sion commission, have been recommend
ed by the subcommittee of the judiciary
committee of the house, and have been
in by Chairman M. L. Fosseen.
The most important of these was the two
per cent premium tax, which, by mad
Vertance the commission had applied to
all earnings of companies doing business
in the state. Under the amendment the
tax will be levied only upon business done
ment allows all fire departments in the
state to participate in the provision for
state aid The commission had limited
this aid to departments having at least a
fire engine, a hook and ladder truck and
a hose cart. This would have barred out
the state Another amendment exempts
fraternal insurance from payment of the
two per cent tax. AS reported by the
annual valuations of insur-
ance companies are made necessary. This
would entail an expense of $4,000 yearly
valuations shall be made at the discre-
ton of the insurance commissioner
publishers and job printers
are authorized to form mutual companies
under another amendment, and still an
other omission is remedied by comforting
power to revoke the license of any COM
pany failing to pay it's taxes.
Chairman Wallace, of the subcommittee
on corporations of the house. has reported
over 100 amendments to the code relating
to that subject.
efficiency in their line of work have
agreed upon bill which will require that
county superintendentS shall have pro-
fessional experience and training before