The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1909-03-19
WASHINGTON
LEGISLATURE
Salons of Eleventh Session
Complete Their Labors
at Olympia.
SPEND ABOUT 100000 900
Many Measures Of Importance to the
State Are PasSed-Will InveS-
tigate State Offices.
SPEND ABOUT S1O,OOO,OOO

Olympia-The eleventh session or
the legislature was remarkable for
the number of voluminOus bills
passed, the notable long ones being
the school, criminal, horticultural,
life insurance and military codes.
It is worthy of note that this legisla-
ture established precedent by keep
ing within its original appropriation
for legislative expenses, although the
lawmakers will undoubtedly come in
for considerable criticism owing to
the liberal appropriations.
The aggregate appropriations ex-
coed those of all previous sessions,
provision having been made for the
expenditure of approximately $1O,-
100000. A considerable proportion
of this total, however, is to be made
up by the disposal of land resources
of the state and the issuance Of
bonds.
While there were many clashes
among members over the passage of
various bills, the chief fight Of the
cal option, and this question brought
about considerable bitterness among
members
This session experienced the novel
sensation of electing a United States
senator without a long, bitter fight.
The closing hours Of the session
witnessed a spirited fight over a res
olution to investigate the alleged
malfeasance in the insurance COM
missioner's office The attempt to
secure an investigation Of the insur
ance department, which was waged
unsuccessfully during the early days
of the session, on the last day was
won largely through the efforts Of
Acting Governor Hay, who threaten
ed to call an extra session in case
no attempt was made to clear up
the insurance scandal.
The resolution as introduced in
the house applied only to the offices
of secretary of state and insurance
commissioner, but was amended SO
that the names of no offices or Off
GERS were mentioned. The situation
was peculiar. The house refused to
adopt the original resolution because
1t was not general in form, while the
70 ~ 40 cd
resolution because it was not spe-
cific Apparently the house was OPP
posed to any investigation, but in
the face Of a brief message from the
acting-gOvernor receded from it's po-
sition and the result was the adOp-
ton of a resolution providing for
the appointment Of a committee with
general power to investigate any
state office.
The committee named to conduct
the inquiry is composed of: Sena-
tors Allen and Fishback and Repre-
sentatives Hubbell, McMasters and
Taylor. This committee must finish
its Investigations by July II.
Among the laws passed Of real
Importance to the state at large may
be mentioned:
A new criminal code prepared by
prosecuting attorneys which upsets
previous theory Of giving all doubt
to defendants and strengthens prose-
cutting attorneys authority.
A new horticultural code, new
educational code changing many of
the school laws of the state; an anti
racetrack gambling bill prohibiting
poolselling and bookmaking at race
tracks.
Appropriating s595,O0O for state
aid Of roads in which state and coun-
ty join and $650,OOO for roads built
by the state alone, and increasing
the tax levy for road purposes to
one mill.
A local option law that means
units of cities of the first, second,
third and fourth classes; and pro-
vides for calling one special election
this year upon petition of 80 per
cent of the voters.
Giving the railroad commission
Jurisdiction over telegraph and tele-
phone lines; over wheat and hay in
spection; provided in future that
railroads must get permission from
railroad commission for crossing
highways at grade, and also a bill
that permits consolidation of subsi-
diary companies.
Submitting question Of equal suf-
frage to vote at next general cleo
ton.
Amending direct primary act to
provide for convention nominations
Of supreme court judges and requir-
ing that each voter shall give his
party affiliations when registering
and be entitled to only his party
ticket at the primary polls.