The Springfield herald., 1907-03-15
LEGISLATIVE NEWS and GOSSIP

After a long wrangle In the Senate
| last Saturday over the railroad bill, Il
was recommitted to the committee o.
the whole for further consideration.
The House of Representatives pu
| the banking bill through on secont
| reading Wednesday,. The measure has
been changed but little from that al
originally introduced, all OF the man.
amendments made in the committee
being in the way of perfecting it.
Four bills by Senator Parks, relat
ing to telephone. telegraph and similar
franchises, occupied most OF the time
OF the Senate Thursday, bringing on
some heated discussion. All OF the
bills were passed on second reading
by narrow majorities.
The passage of the bill to cut 1fi
the salaries of members Of the boards
of control OF state institutions has
raised roint that is being discussed
among members. Does the salary oil
each ana all stop at once, or do those
who have not yet served out their
terms draw up to the conclusion OF
their time of service?
The special committee OF the House.
appointed to go over the proposed new
school law, met with Miss Craig,
state superintendent of public in
struction, to listen to her ideas con
cerning the measure. The bill Is a
very long one, seeking to provide "a
new school law for the state. The
work OF the committee is to be d.
vided SO that all sections may be care
fully considered. Five subcommittee
of two each will be given parts of the
bill The reports made by these will
be consolidated into one. Though
strong opposition has been manifested
to the measure, those supporting 1t be-
lleve the recommendations to be made
by the committee will secure its en-
actment.
Saws the Denver Republican,: In the
last three or four days number OF
conferences have been held with refer
ence to the local option bill. They
have resulted IN compromise very
favorable to the temperance people.
The measure that will pass the House
will be stronger than could have been
expected a week ago. Governor Buch-
tel is given the credit for bringing
members of his party a step forward
It is said that The Drake bill may be
adopted in the House with a few
amendments. This bill as 1t passed
the Senate gave authority to ma
jority OF voters to declare whole
county auti-saloon. This latitude is
too extreme and might partake "f tyr
amy. A limited application will be
undertaken.
The Elsner collection of minerals is
to be removed from the charge OF the
state unless it is paid for within
short time. Tho collection is valued at
SIS 900, and is believed to be the most
extensive and valuable collection OF
Colorado minerals ever gotten to-
gether. When Harry A. Lee was COM
missioner of mines for the state he Sc
cured the collection on an arrangement
made whereby the state was to ac-
quire ownership. lie paid Mr.. Elsner
81. 500 on account, but the balance has
never been paid. When Mr.. White
took the office of commissioner of
mines he kept on with the work of try
Ing to raise the balance due on that
collection. and also to pay for the
grand display OF Mollie Gibson ores
now with the bureau. The latter like
the Elsner collection, is unique among
displays and can never be duplicated.
A bill has been introduced in the pres
ent session Of the Legislature to ap-
propriate $4,000 for the purchase OF
the two collections. Mr.. White is es-
pecially anxious to have the bill en-
acted, as the specimens named have
won FIVE first premiums at as many
Worlds Fairs for Colorado.
At the Tuesdays session OF the
House a reconsideration was had of
the vote which had killed S. B. No. IS
on Monday. The bill provides for the
cutting off of all salaries of members
of board OF control of state institutions.
On the vote to pass the bill 1t was
carried by thirty-four to twenty-four.
| Changes made by members ran the
yeas up to thirty-eight. AS a part OF
those who changed their vote had done
so with the evident intention of NOV
| ing a reconsideration at a later ses
sion, the friends of the bill moved "A
reconsideration at once and had the
motion laid upon the table. This &c
tion disposed of the bill for all time
as far as the House is concerned
| Other bills passed on third reading
| H. b. 155, Parrish-To add a judicial
district. H. B. 81. Redd-Writs of er
ror in criminal cases. H. B. 1853, Col
lins-Conoern larceny. II. B. 1872
edd-Establishing juvenile courts
| ii. Is. 21U, Healy-HuDnc printing. IL
B. 229, Paddock-Concerning robbery
H. B. 244, Fetzer-For road aon.
grounds of home for dependent chill
dren. II. B. 249, Redd-Proving O.
book accounts. H. B. 313. Kelly-Deet
of trust. H. B. 345, Collins-Expenses
OF district attorneys.
The Bardwell bank investigating
committee appointed to investigate
three of Denver's failed institutions
and to make recommendations for 4
law that would safeguard depositors ir
private banking institutions and build
ing and loan associations, reported its
findings with set of accommodations
that will undoubtedly he carried into
law. The report criticisos the conduct
of the Denver Savings Bank from the
| time application was made for a re
ceiver until that receiver closed his
accounting with depositors; but the
criticism is neither harsh nor the re
suit of partisanship. 1t calls attention
to the manner in which the application
was made and granted, involving ques
tionabe methods. and the committed
is of the opinion that the cost of ad
ministration was too high. OF the as
signeeship of the Western Bank. there
is some criticism and not little
l / i ~.