Arizona republican., 1909-02-24
A RAILWAY
 COMMISSION One of the Accomplishments
 Of Council Session WITH SOME AMENDMENTS
De Souza Bill Was Passed by Unanimous Vote-The Gra- ham County Agony Further Prolonged--Many Bills Went Through Council.

The expected did not happen in the legislature yesterday. That is. there was no outward move in the direction or cutting the rib out of the county of Graham for the formation of the new county of Lincoln. But, according to history, ribs have been cut out of peo- pie only when they were asleep, as in the case of one Adam. But Graham county was not asleep.
 Though there was nothing done out wardly, there was a good deal of mill ing around in the corridors and the committee rooms. It could not be stated last night when the long ex- pected bill would be brought in, though the advocates of Lincoln county say that they have no doubt of the passage of it
 There are evidences of an effort to come to some sort of terms with the people of the valley who, on their part. are said not to be in a compromising mood; they want nothing but that Ora ham should be left intact If their wishes should be granted at the end of the session, they will likely find themselves facing a county seat re- moval war
 The Railway Commission Bill.
 The Arizona railway commission bill passed the council late yesterday after noon with a rush. There was nc visible opposition to it for it received the unanimous vote of the council. a supposed result of the last conference between sub of council committees and representatives of the railroads last Saturday. Several coun- cil amendments found their way into the bill. They all have to do, how ever. with the constitution of the com mission and not at all with its opera tions
 One amendment cuts out the attor- ney, who was to receive S2,500 a year, the same as the commissioners, and it is required that one of the commits sioners shall be an attorney with record behind him of three years practice in the territory.
 One of the commissioners, as origi- nally provided, shall have some knowl- | edge of the art of railroading, and the third member is required to have no other qualification than a residence within Arizona of two years.
 Another amendment restricts the power of the governor in mak- ing appointments to the com mission and provides that the l appointees can not act until their ap- pointments have been actually con firmed by the council. Other changes 1 were of little or no importance It is l understood that all of these amend l ments will be accepted by the assem- | H,V I. transmitting the bill to the governor |
 The bill was put through with little | formality. The report was received | from Chairman O'Neill of the Judiciary | committee who moved that the bill as ! amended be considered engrossed and | put on final passage. This usually re- quires a suspension of the rules, and | MT. Finley offered a mild objection, to | which no heed was given by the presi- | dent, and the bill went to a vote.
 Another bill which was advanced | toward completion was the house | measure of Mir. Bailey for the aboli- | ton of the American flag, the eagle | and the jackass; or more specifically, | the removal of party viginettes from | election ballots.
 Home for Arizona Pioneers.
 About the only action of the assem- bly was to consider in committee of | the whole, in the afternoon, MT. Nor ris bill for the establishment at Pres colt of a home for Arizona Pioneers | who have attained the age of 65, and | have lived in the territory for twenty | five years.
 The bill originally proposed a tax levy for the building of the home, | which would have raised in the neigh borhood of $SO,OOO. and another levy for the maintenance of it. All that was a great deal more money than was needed. The bill was accordingly | amended providing for a lump appro- priation of s25,OOO for the building; s15. .O0O for maintenance, and $5,OO0 for a site.
 In this form the bill, after a consid- eration occupying the whole of the afternoon session, was favorably re- ported An attempt to suspend the rules and pass the bill failed by two votes, insuring the passage of the bill bv a comfortable margin when it is approached in regular order.