The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-01-17
STRINGENT LEGISLATION Is LIKELY
AT NASHVILLE.
Temperance, Race Track Gambling and
Education Paramount.


Nashville, Jan, 12.-The first week
with the Tennessee Legislature, the
Iifty-fifth general assembly, has passed
and the week has practically been
spent in perfecting an organization
and clearing the breastworks for the
actual work to begin next Monday.
Members of the "third house, dubb-
ed during the week by Representative
Shea, of Shelby county, as "collar
makers" have been sizing up the new
assembly and trying to get a line on
what is projected. They have not yet
reached conclusion.
Each representative and senator has
his pet measure. There are two kinds
of legislators in every assembly. One
is the new member who sits quietly I'M
til he gets run of things, and the new
member who is constantly on the
floor" Then, of the old members,
there is the kind who tries to be a
''leader" and is constantly springing a
point whether or not he is sincere in
what he says; and the old member who
rests on his oars to use his reserve
force at the right time.
Even next week, the work will be in
terrupted. The inauguration of the
new governor, Hon. M. 4. Patterson,
will take place Thursday. Extensive
preparations are being made for this.
On the night Of the inauguration comes
the University of Tennessee BANQUET.
They will be the chief events of the
week. Members of both houses are
anxiously awaiting the message of the
new governor.
The message of Gov. John l. Cox,
the outgoing executive, was read
Wednesday. Men about the capital
who have for years been in close touch
with the work of the legislature, say
that the message was strong docu-
ment. The governor did not spare
any measure that he had in mind. He
went after corporations and race track
gamblers, and those of the state who
had any idea that the retiring chief
executive would go out with leniency
to these classes were badly mistaken.
The message was characteristic Of the
man. 1t is thought that the message
of the new governor will be just as
strong. 1t will shape the policy of the
Legislature toward all interests of the
state very materially.
This being SO, it is interesting to
speculate just what the assembly will
do. Race track gambling is sure to
go. The Rice Riggon bill of the last
legislature was passed, but the supreme
court held 1t unconstitutional on a
technicality. Senator Foust, of Ham
ilton county, has taken the lead in the
new measure. His bill makes race
track gambling felony, with fine Of
800 to $500, with imprisonment at six
to twelve months, and the measure
makes it misdemeanor for any one to
bet at race track. SO it will be seen
that race track gambling can be re-
garded as doomed. The sentiment in
both houses is strong against it, and
the moral wave over the state is sure
to bring about the result that is expect
ed-the abolition of gambling at race
tracks.
What will be done on temperance?
This is the all-pervading topic in all
quarters. The temperance sentiment
in the legislature is said to be stronger
than ever before known. 1t is just as
strong in the house as it is in the SEN
ate. In the house, it is said that the
temperance people have majority Of
fifteen. while in the senate the MAORI
ty is about four. But what this major
ity will favor is not known. The whis.
KEY interests are not active. What
they do will be under cover and by in
fuence, and can only be seen in the
voting. But the temperance wave has
Tapped the capital and it can be,regard-
ed as in the state to bring results. AL
ready bill has been introduced in the
senate to extend the four-mile law to
every part of the state, while another
bill has been offered in the senate
which extends the Adams law to every
city in the state with the implied ex
ception of Memphis. A large number
of temperance workers are here. They
are seen constantly comforting with
prominent members of the senate and
house who were elected as straight an
ti-saloon men. 1t is presumed that