Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-25
TWELVE SOLONS
CONTROL SENATE
DOZEN MEMBERS DOMINATE
STATE LEGISLATION
ALL VITAL MEASURES INTRO.
DUcED RY ONE OF corERIE
Strong Prina Facie EViden.e Re-
VeaIed of Power Exerted Among
California Lawmakers by
Regulars"
Especial to The Herald /,

SACRAMENTO, Jan. A.-Strong prima facie
evidence Of the domination Of the senate by
such men as Senators Wolfe and Leavitt is to
Do found in the fact that practically all bills
proposing desirable legislation of public
character thus far have been introduced either
by Democrats ''insurgent" Republicans.
Senator Black Republican from the Twen-
tleth dlstrlct, has introduced one of the most
important measures of the session thus far.
II Is senate constitutional amendment No. s,
providing for submission to the people of all
laws, statutes amendments to the constitu-
tlon upon the presentation to the secretary Of
state OF a petition containing the signatures OF
at least per cent Of the votes cast at the last
preceding election
He is also the author of the senate Joint
resolution asking congress to enact a rarcaIs
post law.
Senator Sanford Democrat, has presented
several measures of general importance. One
Dill provides for a 2-cent railroad( passenger
rate, another relates to contributions for cam
paign purposes, another prohibits lobbying His
senate resolution No. urges our representa-
Ives IN congress to support measures granting
increased powers to the interstate commerce
commission.
Senator Boynton, Republican, from the Sixth
district, has introduced several measures DE
great interest One of his bills relates to YER
clcts OF luries His most important bill, how
ever Is senate bill No. ia, known as the re-
ciprocal demurrage bill, over which there will
uouDtlesS be warm contest. Two other meas
ures relate respectively to the treatment OF
diseases of cultivated plants and union high
school matters.
Author of Race Track Bill
Senator Walker Republican, from the Twen-
ty-SeVenth district, in fathering the anti
racetrack gambling BILL which will be known
IN the senate as senate bill No. 80, will have
all he can attend to in looking after this,
among the most important legislation asked
this session.
Senator Caminetti, Democrat, from the Tenth
district, is sponsor for several important
measures. One proposes to reform the state
board OF railroad commissioners, making 1t
harmonize with the interstate railroad COM
mission in its operations; another proposes to
secure the physical valuation of the property
OF railroads as a basis for rate regulation; an
other asks for better state support of high
schools; another makes provision for con-
sulting board of mining debris.
Senator Caminetti not only looks after the in
terests Of his own district but as will be
seen, initiates important general measures.
Senator Campbell Democrat, from the Thir-
ty-first district, has introduced a bill regu-
lating the board of railroad commissioners and
providing for the regulation and control of
certain public service corporations He also
introduced proposed constitutional amend
ment relative to the railroad commission, and
bill providing for reform in the verdicts Of
juries
Bills by New Senator
Senator Roseberry, Republican, from the
Thirty-third district, although a new man,
has important measures before the legislature
One is the much discussed postal primary bill,
another relates to peremptory challenges in
jury trials.
Contrasted with the proposed legislative
work of these who are earning the title
Of reformers is the prefunctory service of the
performers. For example, examine the efforts
in behalf Of the public put forth thus far this
session by Senator Wolfe of San Francisco and
Senator Leavitt of Oakland
Senator Wolfe has introduced measures af-
feoting San Francisco-one proposing q school
of trades; another establishing a state board
OF embalmers, which does not look good to the
placed the introduction of the Hetch- Hetchy
BILL which prepared, of course by a COM
mittee.
Senator Leavitt has introduced a number OF
measures Of a routine nature Neither of these
men has initiated any legislation of any spciaI
interest to the state at large.
Fathered by Willis
Snator Willis, Republican, Organization
man." of the Thirtieth district is responsible
for a number of bills apparently prepared by
others.
The first reading of them fails to disclose
anything of great Importance in connection
with any of them. ~
Senator Mccartney machine Republican, OF
Los Angeles is responsible for bills by the
dozen, but if none of them had been introduces
the state would manage to worry along until
another session.
Senator Stetson, Republican, of Oakland,
was selected to introduce the bill regulating
the state railroad commission prepared for
Gov. Gillett by Attorney General Webb.
1t does not take the keenest intellect nor the
most alert observer to discern the fact that the
not to be Lieutenant Governor Warren Por-
ters performers, but that the most desirable
legislation will come, if at all, through the eff
forts of the reformers.