The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1907-02-01
RAILROAD COMMISSION
Has Its Inning in the LegisIa-
tive Assembly.
Extravasance is Charged in Many
Ways --Commissioner McMiIIin
Asked to Refund Salary.

was born in Ireland, one in England, one
in Germany and three in Canada. The
rest we're born in the United States.
Very few are native sons of ashingtOn
Senator Hutson is the youngest member
Of the senate, being 81. John l.. Blair,
representing San Juan, Clallam and JEFF
fprsnn counties, is the oldest, being ~
This is what it says Of our senator's:
H NJ. Boone, Whitman county, aged
40, born in Oregon; banker.
Peter McGregOr, Whitman county,
aged A, born in Ontario; farmer and
stock raiser
RAILROAD COMMISSION.
The report of the joint legislative com
mittee on the railroad commission last
week has caused something of sensa-
ton, remarks being passed that the
members of the commission have been
extravagsnt in many particulars. For
instance: Since it's organization eighteen
months ago the state railroad commits
sion has expended $1143 80 for furni
ture and fixtures. $34S6 9SfOr transpor
tation, $3736.33 for supplies and
$2521 go on hearings for the purpose Of
ascertaining the justice of rates. To
January l the salaries of the commits
siOners had amounted to $1S,4O3 Is,
the salaries OF clerks TO $533S % and
the salaries of experts to $15,614 19
The grand total is more than $50, 900.
Disp pleasure was expressed by Senator
Paulhamus at the salary of $1,000
month paid Chief Expert H. F. Gillette,
employed to ascertain the value of rail
roads; also the fact that four men en-
plOyed to estimate the value OF trackage
were paid $500 q month each
BILLS BY wHITMAN's REPRESENTATIVES,
5. B. No. 81. by Boone-Raising fees
for filing articles OF incorporation from
$40 to $25; same action as to annual
fee.
II. B. 95, by Notwithstanding the
joint fence law to allow one party to put
up special hog fence.
S. B. SO, by McGregor-Amending the
act relating to estrays, to include vic
ious or breachy animals.
Fl. B. 191, by Sherfey-To provide for
the use by the State College of moneys
granted under the act OF congress in
1906.
S. B. "a, by Boone-Appropriating
1922. 900 for the State College. Appro-
priatiOns.
s. B. 96, by Boone -Appropriating
$4,000 for investigation of cereals and
for irrigation farming.
FL. B. 206, by Whitlow-Appropriat-
ing $4,000 for conducting OF farmers
Institutes.
H B. 2O7, by Sherfey-AppropriatiDg
$130,000 for a library and assembly
building at the State College.
THE CRIMINAL INSANE.
Because of the pleas of insanity in re
cent murder trials in this state, bill in
troduced in the senate by Senator
Graves, Of Spokone county, is Of more
than ordinary interest. The bill pro
vides for the commitment of insane GRIM
inals to the state penitentiary at Walla
WaIa, there to be cared for in a special
ward, and it also provides for the re
moval of the criminal insane now in hos
pitfalls to the state penitentiary.
The bill is IN ten sections. The first
section says:
ANY person who shall have commit
ted crime while insane or in a condition
of mental irrespOnsibility, and in whom
such insanity or mental irresponsibility
continues to exist, shall be deemed Grim
inaly insane within the meaning Of thr
act. No condition of the mind induced
with crime shall be deemed mental ire
spOnsibility within the meaning Of this
act"
After person has been committed to
the penitentiary as insane, a method is
provided for his release. He must petition
the court that committed him setting
up that be is now a sane and safe person
to be at large. Then a jury shall try
him on the question OF his recovery and
may order him discharged if be is found
to be safe person to be at large. II he
is found not safe to be at liberty, he is
returned to prison again. And at any
time that a criminally insane person has
been discharged, the prosecuting attor-
ney may have him arrested and tried,
and if found unsafe, he will be re com
mtted.
This bill, however. has been severely
criticised, in that it follows the lines OF
the law now on the statute books, which
does not meet the evil complained of.
SAMPLE OF BILLS.
S. B. 90. by Presby-To distribute
grain sacks made at Wslla Walla to
counties in accordance with wheat pro-
duction.
S. B. 90, by Polson-Appropriating
S10U,UUU LOT Tue sIdUe FOdu dC monte
sanO.
II. B. 1913, by Kaiser-Requiring the
penitentiary grain bags to be sold at
about cost to grain growers.
Fl. B. 1876, by Rice-Giving the state
board of control financial management
OF the State University, State College,
normal schools and capitol in addition
to its present duties.
H. B. 1874, by Rice-Providing that
none but attorneys be elected justice of
the peace in a precinct of more than
5000 inhabitants.
H. B. 181, by Sayre-Requiring steam
and electric roads to construct a walk
for pedestrians on all bridges.
H. B. 182. by Sayre-Requiring blinds
to be kept in stables for use on horses in
case of fire.
Fl. $50, by Smaley-Appropriating
$4,000 to pay $35 each for the scalps
OF cougars killed in this state.
WANTS THE SALARY BACK
IT shall decline to discuss the value OF
nv services as railroad commissioner
have been to the state" declared John
s. McMillin, speaking in his own defense