The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-01-30

cities shall have the power the regu-
late charges for gas, electricity and
power. The bill vas introduced by
Wendell of Helena. The committee
reported to refer it to the judiciary
committee.
House bill No. 81, appropriating
1862 to pay reform school deicien.
cies, and House bill No. 81, appro-
priating sl2 900 to pay the incidental
expenses of the Legislature, we're re.
ported for passage by the committee.
The house adopted the report of the
committee with respec, 10 all three.
A number of bills we're noticed in
house, as follows:
Allen, to pay claims for cattle
killed by state veterinary for tubercu-
losis.
Committee on sanitary affairs, to
pay expense of DR.. II. j. Ricketts,, for
investiga ttng spotted fever.
Walker, relating the fling Of cor.
poration certificates.
kirwan, the prevent use of four
wheel caboose and box care, and to
prescribe what kind shall be used.
Brownlee, relating to judges and
fines in criminal cases.
Four bills, which had beer report.
ed to the committee on livestock and
public ranges, were killed at the morn.
ing session. The committee reported
that they do not pass. The report was
adopted.
The bills were House bill No. 26, to
keep stock Out Of lanes and public
highways: House bill No. p, provid.
ing for estray notices and defining
estray paper: House bill No. 81, to
protect horse owners: House bill No.
81, requiring butchers TO exhibit
hides.
The fish and game law is receiving
considerable attention in the Hobbies
these days, though it has not attr acted
much notice in the house. There is
but one bill now before the legislature
which affects this law-that having
been introduced by Duncan. 1t pro.
vides for the abolition of the state
game warden system and for the cleo
ton OF county game detectives. 1t al
SO makes changes in the amounts Of
the fishing and hunting licenses which
are now required. The discussion of
the present law by members and in
formal talks upon this subject, makes
it evident that the general plan of the
present law is satisfactory, but that
the fishing license is considered un-
just and that the hunting license is
burdensome and should be made less
expensive to the hunter. Among some
OF the members, too, there is a belief
that the law a be better administered
by local county officers than by dep
uties of Il state officer. The severest
criticism that is made upon the ad.
ministration of Game Warden Scott
is that he has been unfortunate in
many Instances ia the selection of his
deputies. With inefficient deputies no
law can be satisfactorily enforced.
HELENA, Jan. 23.--This was an,i.
gambling day in the Legislature.
Senator Mclean introduced IL bill
said to have beer framed by the
Butte Civic league, which is the most
stringent measure ever presented in a
Montana legislature.
The provisions of the bill hold that
the owner of the building, the pro-
prietor of the game, and the dealer,
player and ''capper' are punishable
by "a fine of from 800 TO 1000. For
the second otfen,e the fine is $500 to
$1,000. The penalty for IA brace game
is Imprisonment.
Any city or county officer who re-
fuses to investigate and prosecute
when Informed of gambling is liable
to IA fine of from 500 to 81 900 and to
removal from Office.
A man who loses at a gambling
game or his family may recover by
civil suit. the money lost, and also
Exemplary damages"
Representative Tom Marshall OF
Missoula, introduced a bill in the
house to prohibit poolrooms and
pool.selling, except pools sold at
licensed race tracks. Pools NAV be
sold only by owners of licensed race
tracks, licenses to be secured from the
state auditor. Owners of buildings,
parks, public grounds and enclosures,
where pools are sold in violation o:
this law, shall be subject to a fine not
to exceed s LOCO or one year in Jail.
Pools can only be sold on race tracks.
Officers of the fair or race track a.-o-
citation, who are of good character,
may secure licenses from the state
auditor, which are to be limited TO 30
days.