The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1909-03-05

Olympia, March 1.-The logisla-
lure has now been in session seven
weeks, but, aside from the passage
or the anti-racetrack gambling bill
and the woman suffrage bill, little
or no legislation Of great Importance
to the state at large has been en-
acted. The session will close March
IL, so but eight working days re-
main. Much may be accomplished
during the remaining days of the
session, however, if both houses get
down to systematic business-like
methods and cut out the OratOry.
1t is very evident that consider
able pruning will be necessary to
bring the appropriations within the
estimated revenues of the state APP
preparations and estimated needs of
state institutions and departments
aggregate more than 100000,
while the estimated revenues will
aggregate about $4,3000,000.
OF the total of $7,0O00,00O asked
for, $6,250,000 is for state depart
ments and institutions, the others
being miscellaneous appropriation
The miscellaneous appropriations in
clude numerous relief bills in small
amounts, an appropriation Of $125,-
900 for the purchase of the bridge
across the Columbia river at We
natchee and appropriations for the
protection of game, regulation Of
dairies, inspection of steamers,
erection of monuments to famous
men, survey of logged-Off lands and
a large variety of other matters.
Two institutions likely to feel the
knife are the State University and
State College. The University pre-
scented estimates OF needs aggregat-
ing 100000, but it is thought this
will be cut down by the apprOpria-
tons committees to $500, 900. The
State College wants 100000, but
will not get more than 100000.
Many Liquor Bills.
Judging from the number OF bills
introduced the present session will
not lack material upon which to base
discussion of almost every phase Of
the liquor question, for more than
80 bills dealing with the sale of in
toxicating liquors have been intro
duced. These bills deal with the traf-
fic in all it's phases from prohibit
ing treating to the prohibition of
saloons within certain distances of
military reservations. One bill
adapted from the Iowa MulCt law
and the Massachusetts law regulat-
ing saloons will prohibit the shades
at saloon windows, the use OF chairs
or tables and provide regulations
for entrances and prohibit pool and
billiard tables. Another bill pro-
hibits the advertising Of spir!tuous
or malt liquors.
The local option issue will be
forced to the front this week, and
it is very probable that some sort OF
compromise measure will be passed.
Nichols local option bill, which
passed the senate, has been reported
ont bv the house public morals COM
mittee. The majority report rec
ommends substitution of a new bill.
The principal difference between
the substitute bill and the Nichols
bin is that the substitute puts
fourth-class cities in the county
unit while the Nichols bill would
mt them in separate units. Restrlc-
ton as to sale Of liquor by druggists
and regulation of physicians pre-
scriptions differ greatly.
To Rush Criminal Code.
The criminal code commission Is
displaying unusual energy and fin
esse in rushing through its bill. The
code has come out OF the senate
Judiciary committee with the seal
of approval as a committee bill re-
lating to crimes, taking on the num-
Der of senate bill 800.
Chairman Graves, of the judiciary
committee, and Chairman Wander
yeer. of the code commission. eX-
nress the utmost confidence in their
ability to pass the bill through the
senate. although doubtful OF the &C
ton of the house. There is strong
feeling in the house that the Wlsest
course to pursue would be to post
none action for two years so that
it's features might be studied.
Deaf Ear to Muckrake Call.
Reciting that allegations of seri-
Gus misconduct in the office of the
insurance commissioner were being
made in the press, a resolution was
introduced in the house providing
for the appointment of legislative
committee to report to the next SEES
sion Of the legislature.
Investigation was defeated by
margin of three votes, the resolu-
ton being indefinitely postponed al
ter those who had opposed 1t had de-