The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1909-02-26

Olympia, Feb. 23.-If it is con-
coded that the fewer laws passed the
better for the state, then the pres
ent session may be considered = sue
cess, for thus far but 13 bills have
passed the legislature, although 651
have been introduced. Six weeks of
the session have gone by and prac-
tically no important measures have
been passed. This condition is due
largely to the absorbing character of
the local option fight, the tendency
to adjourn on slight provocatiun and
the disposition to engage in lengthy
debates over minor measures.
Adjournment has been taken
nearly every Friday of the session
until Monday. With an immense
amount of business stacked up, ad-
journment was taken last Friday
until today, on account of Washing
tons birthday anniversary Monday.
The local option bill is in dead
lock between the house and the SEN
ate. The equal suffrage bill has not
been reported out of committee, the
new school code has not been con-
sidered, although presented two
weeks ago, the new criminal code
has not been introduced, the appro-
priation bill is still hidden by the
committee in process of preparation,
the eight-hour law for women work
ers has passed the house and gone
to the senate, where it will languish
until the close of the session unless
an earthquake shakes it down. and
new code for the regulation of doc
tors and Osteopaths is in process of
passage.
Today is the last day in which
bills can be introduced Originally
the date was fixed for Monday, but
that being a holiday, the order pre-
walls over the following day. The
appropriation bill is one of the
measures which will come in at the
twelfth hour and it is expected that
numerous other important measures
Will be given place at the very
bottom of the calendar. AS but two
weeks remain in which the legis-
lature will be able to draw salaries
and make laws, it is expected that
double quick action will be taken
from now on.
Fight Over Local Option.
The most important event of the
past week was the local option fight
In the senate. The interest was so
keen that the house adjourned to go
over and see the fireworks. After
two days of incessent roll calls and
acrimonious debate, the Falcorer, or
Anti-Saloon League bill, which by
the way, with a few minor amend
ments, is duplicate of the McMas-
tiers bill which passed the house,
was defeated by a vote of % to 20.
Fully a score of amendments were
offered by friends of the bill which
view of overcoming some of the OBJ
1ections to it, but they were all
voted down.
After defeating the Anti-Saloon
League bill. the senate passed a sub
st;tute local option bill which pro-
Vldes that the units will be cities
and incorporated towns and election
precincts in rural districts; that be-
lore the question of whether sa-
looms shall be permitted In any city,
town or precinct shall be submitted
petition signed by As per cent of
the voters of the unit, must be filed
with the county commissioners: that
voting on the saloon question will
occur only at general elections
The petition for submitting the
saloon question to the electors must
pe nled at least ninety days before
lhe general election, and the petition
may be added to or withdrawn. from
al any time before the county COM
mlssloners or the council order the
question submitted.
House Opposed to Senate Bill.
ANd lue Studie local OpIlOn Dill
reached the house it was referred
10 the public morals committee
mere is strong sentiment against
the senate bill in the house, not
only among the supporters of the
NcMasters bill but among the men
VINO nave been classed as liberals
heading of the bill is said to show
mat 1t bristles with jokers. There
are no accumulative penalties in the
measure, and the penalties which
are provided are so light. legisla-
'ors say, that they hardly amount
" the license fee the liquor dealer
mas 10 pay under the present system
1t also provides that a majority OF
oil voters at an election must vote
u make territory dry This is
SAD TO be a provision that almost