The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-27
FEWER MEASURES
THAN IN 1903
NEITHER HOUSE NOR SENATE
HAS AS MANY NEW BILLS.
Unprecedented Flood of Saturday Did
Not Bring the Total UP to That of
the Last egislature-Code Will Pre-
vent Final Action on Many Meas
ures.

The present legislature has not been
as prolific in the introduction of bills
as its predecessor. Saturday being the
last day for the introduction OF meas
ures without the request of the gov.
ernor, there was a tremendous flood OF
bills, especially in the house, where lo3
were introduced at the morning and
afternoon sessions, the members at
tempting to do very little else. In the
senate 81 new bills came in, making
100 in all, or an average. Of about one
bill to each member. While this record
for the last day is unequaled, the total
of bills before the Legislature is small
er than two years ago.
The house in 1903 saw the introduce
tion Of Oil bills. The 1905 record up
to date is only S55, and not more than
twenty or thirty more bills are to be
expected to come with the governor g.
request. The senate two years ago re-
ceived 5S2 new bills, and the record for
the same body to date is only 497, so
that the total will not far exceed 500.
tutional limitation April Is, and April
II, three weeks from today, is the last
day on which bills can be passed. Few
measures of any Importance have
reached final passage, and practically
the whole grist is to be ground out.
The senate is waiting for the report
Of its judiciary committee on the re-
vised code, and when that comes it will
take a week or ten days to 90 over
the amendments on the floor and reach
final action. AS there are only eighteen
legislative days remaining, it is evil
dent that great many bills will have
to fall without a chance at final con-
sideration.
Twenty bills were introduced. at the
afternoon session of the house, being
handed to the speaker hot from the
typewriting machines, which were busy
all the morning. One bill, introduced
by John L. Oleson, would legalize book
making and pool-selling at the state
fair. One, by J. B. Kelly, prohibits the
use of street signs projecting more than
one foot over the sidewalks A. J..
Roc kne introduced bill requiring the
state board of control to open ali bids
in public except, in cases held to ieop-
ardlze the states interests. A bill by
John F. Selb makes the crime of as
sault and battery by husband upon
the person of his wife a felony. T.. T.
Ofsthun introduced bill defining
stockyards as public markets, and req,
ulatlng the prices to be charged for
yard privileges: Elmer E. Adams pre-
sented another bill requiring railroads
to carry bicycles as baggage. L. II.
johnson and Marley Fosseen stood for
bill carrying out their idea as to
mechanics liens on buildings. Two
bills by H. B. Vollmer of Cottage Grove
limit, the price, of gas in cities of $780,
IVY to W cents thousand, and pro-
vide tor municipal gas inspectors to
be appointed by the governor.
Burdett Thayer introduced a bill au-
thor1zlng townships to construct and
Landeen fathered measure providing
for the licensing of surveyors.
Elias Rachle presented his antifra-
ternity bill, but it was not so sweeping
in it's provisions as anticipated If
prohibits fraternities in high schools and
normal schools, and prohibits fraternities
and .sororities in the university from mi.
tiating members when in their freshman
year.
Seventeen bills were introduced at
the adjourned session Of the senate yes
Senator MCGOWAN Of Min me: ayis G y
bound to create something of stir. It
places the dairy and food commission
under the state board Of health, giving
that body, the appointive power for the
dairy and food commission. In this
clashing at the two departments can be
brought to an end. -.
A state board Of telegraphy is pro
yided for by s: F; No. e by Senate,
examine all applicants for positions az
telegraph operators for railroads. The
board is to consist of five members ap
pointed June /, 1905, for four years
Senator Dunn introduced S. F. No. 493
another bill designed to permit use Of
voting machines at elections. A legis
lative reference department. in Thu
library of the stats tso mi is pro