Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-01-11
THE LEGISLATURE,

Inc Jtn legislative session OF Mon
tana is getting down to business with
vim that would indicate results. The
personnel of the members of both
houses is of high order. There e
many new members who only lack a
little experience and insight to be-
come a power and influence in shap
ing the legislation which is to guide
the people of this state in the future.
There may be few cranks and ex-
day and generation it would be hard
to find a legislative body without them,
but generally speaking, the present
legislature is composed of level-head-
ed conservative men, who vii. guard
we'll the great interests of the state
| in any new legislation that may be
enacted.
Already several bills bearing on Tie
questions contained in the party plat
forms, have been introduced and Duh
ers will follow until there is choice
assortment to select from. No doubt
there will be lengthy arguments and
warm contentious for certain provis-
ions in the bills, but there will be a
tendency to move alone on conserva-
tive lines in the formation of these
new laws, if not great injury is likely
to result to the people of Montana.
some of which will be made clear in
the debate on the proposed measures.
In making these laws to be just and
I fair to all concerned and yet have
them operate to remove or check CIV
lis complained of a great responsibility
rests upon the legislators. 1t will ie
quire wise counsel and calm judgmen;
on the part of the members of both
houses to give the people something
that will stand the test of the courts
and be free from the objections com
planned of in other states.
The initiative and referendum will
undoubtedly occasion long debate ant
, serious consideration. The great dan
ger in this is in fixing the per cent b.
which a question may be initiated o
!. referred. Great harm might be work
ed upon the smaller counties of th'
: state if placed too low, and a good iav
might be made imperative by energet
, ic effort in very few days.
The railroad commission bill is Or
). that will have to be "sarely guardcI
in order to prevent injury to the sta e
!. 1t must be enacted with due care 10
!. all concerned. Already there III
:. scores of applicants for job as con
v missioner. Writing on this questio
a the Anaconda Standard makes som
4 suggestions worthy Of considerable
!. on the score of economy at least. r..
a Standard says: Assuming that
three-member commission is establish
ed, two of its members might be 81
lected from the roster of state officer
n the governor to be one of these, til
d legislature to designate the other stat
t officer who shall hold, these to Sci y
# without added compensation, the so
j. ernor to name the third member, IL
3 whom suitable compensation shall +
d provided in the act under which &c
e commission is organized Assured
IS this process the state would {,
e at least as good commission as
h could secure by any other metho
and it would not be unreasonable
expect from the members in the sta
e administration the added servit
Z which this proposed commission mel
L. Dership would entail
It In another week consideration
" these and other measures will douL