The San Francisco call., 1905-02-25
SENATE PASSES
A BILL TAXING
CORPORATIONS
an Annual
Fee of Ten
Dollars.
Special Dispatch to The Call. /;

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 24.-The Sem
ate got rid of batch of bills this
afternoon and evening. Among those
finally passed were the following:
BY Lukens-Providing for the increase of the
salary of the secretary of the Bank Commits
sion and vesting him with authority to ex-
anime banks and file reports of their finan-
eial condition. final action thereon to be taken
by the Bank Commission
By Assenblyman Stanton-Appropriatin
$4321 20 for the transportation of officers and
members of the National Guard of California
when on duty for the State.
BY Mattos-MalSing i misdemeanor to
Kill meadowlarks and other song birds except
by owners of lands upon which the birds
are destroying crops.
BY Cromwell-Making it misdemeanor to
regulations of the State Board of Health
respecting the quarantine of persons and ami
mails afflicted with infectious diseases.
BY Assemblyman McKenney-An act provid-
ing that all prisoners upon first conviction of
felony shall be sent to the San Quentin prison.
which shall become a refornatory, and all in
corrigibles to Folsom. The bill also permits
the Preston School of Industry when it is
SHOWN that such action would not endanger the
discipline of the school,
by IIeaqweil-An act to pay the Judgment
Oh ) X. Hanify against the State for dam
ages sustained by the breaking of Fremont
street wharf in San Francisco.
By IreadWell-An act empowering the Board
OF Harbor Commissioners to lease certain North
Beach lands at their discretion
Hahn's bill, providing for the pay
ment of an annual license of $40 by
all corporations doing business in the
State, passed the Senate after a
lengthy debate. Several of the Sem
ators questioned the right of the State
TO levy a license tax, but decided final
ly to vote for the bill and let the courts
decide the constitutional questions in
volved.
The bill providing for the increase
of fhP salaries nf p1to dc OF fho 20 fo
prisons from $50 to SIS month also
passed.
INHERITANCE TAX DEBATE.
Lukens' bill providing for the levy
of tax on gifts. legacies, inheritances,
requests, devises, SUGGESTIONS and
tranfers went over after it had been
strongly assailed by half dozen SEN
ators. The question as to the wisdom
of the policy of compelling the wild
ows, orphans and mothers of the dead,
to say nothing of other relatives, to
contribute to the support of the State
by special tax after the property had
already been taxed in accordance with
law, was raised by the opponents of
the bill. Many said point blank that
they would refuse to support such a
measure. The debate waxed so warm
that the bin was allowed to go over
for further consideration. There are
yet three special tax bills on the file
for consideration, one referring to cor
porations, one to insurance companies
and one to the sale. of liquors.
Beardslee succeeded in having his
and Senator Muenter's bill, providing
for third Superior Judge for San
Joaquin County, already approved by
the Senate, passed. Drew of Fresno
opposed it, stating that Fresno had
more legal work than San Joaquin and
it was not asking for an increase in
the judiciary. The increase in the San
Joaquin bench will begin two years
from now, if the Governor approves the
bill, as new Judge will be elected
then.