Arizona republican., 1909-03-19

At three o'clock this morning,
though the legislative clocks pointed
ia ten minutes past eleven. the leg
islature was still in session and in
an ugly mood, threatening the death
Of one of the great supply bills, that
providing for building and improve
ments for the territorial institutions
for the next two years.
The night session began with prom
ise of an early and peaceful adjourn
ment. There were the usual clos
ing night scenes. the crowded gal
leries. the bustling corridors. the long
periods of waiting for conference re-
ports and the frequent calling of the
houses to order to receive messages
from each other or the governor. fol-
lowed by the lapsing into another re-
cess.
There, too. was the usual meeting of
the Third House" for which extraor-
dinary preparation had been made this
time. bills. resolutions and memorials
being drawn up in approved form.
This time the proceedings were fur
ther enlivened by a musical program.
the songs containing burlesque allu-
sions to persons or incidents Of the
session.
Less actual business was accom-
plished on the last night than usual
There was no possibility that the
governor would be able to give con-
sideration to all of the bills before
him at the end OF the afternoon ses-
sion. so that members realized the
hopelessness Of further legislative en-
deavor. There was nothing to do but
wait
Downstairs the governor was busy
going through a stack OF bills two feet
high. How long he would pursue his
task was a matter OF conjecture. but II
was certain that. ne would not fin
ism it.
Now and then a veto found its way
upstairs and notice Of the approval OF
such bills as had aroused more than
ordinary popular interest.
BY 10 o'clock the contingent and
maintenance appropriation bills have
been agreed upon in conference AMI
the improvements appropriations hi
was taken up in the council, but there
was a division on the first sub-divi-
sion, that relating to the territorial
prison item, an appropriation of $780,
0OO The matter was referred to a
committee, which spent nearly an hour
in its consideration.
No more anxious visitors thronged
the capital until nearly midnight than
the prohibitionists. and those who were
not. awaiting word from the segrega
tion bill, which mad gone to the gov
ernor late in the afternoon. There was
a general assumption at first that II
would be approved. but later it was re-
ported that it was little more in exec
utive favor than any Of its predeces-
sors. As time passed and nothing was
heard from it, the anxiety Of the pro-
hibitionists began to blossom into hope
and that of the saloon keepers to ripen
into dread.
In the meantime there was an entire
cessation of business. Word was re-
ceived that no more messages would
be sent upstairs Bills might be signed
| but it would not be necessary to ap
prise the legislature. Concerning those
| disapproved or not considered at all
| it was still less necessary that house
or council should be informed.
Some interest was injected into the
proceedings by the governors veto oi
| council bill so by Mr.. Burns. the per-
sonal liability bill. on the ground that
! it Disseminated between corporation
| and individual employers and that 4
was too drastic. The veto was sus-
tained by. the following vote on the
| question Of passing the bill:
| Ayes: O'NeiH. Weedin. st. Charles
| Morgan, Burns, the presidents.
Nays: Breen. Day. Hampton. Nor
ton. Finley. Goodrich-6.
The committee to which the main
tenance bill had been referred sub
mitted its report and a fight ensueti
which racked the council and in dul
time spread to the house and threat
ened to wreck the bill The report wa!
finally adopted and the bill was sen
to the house, which Indignantly re
Jected the amendments, and confer
ence was appointed. There was a Sc
rious division Of the house on che sub
ject. Cpnferees were appointed and 81
bitter was the feeling that the hous'
threatened adjournment without TIL
passage Of the bill. The governor in
dicated that he would not wait mucI
longer for this appropriation bill bet
ter than another could be spared.
At the best there was no hope {.
any sort of agreement on the bill be
fore daylight.