The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-03-10
LAW MAKERS ARE BUSY,

LAW MAKERS ARE BUSY.
Eleventh Assembly Has Rush of Work
At Close Of Session.
HELENA, March 2.-The joint com.
mtttee appointed early during the
present Legislative session to conduct
an inquiry into the state land situa-
tion in general aud with particular
reference to the land sales in Flathead
county. submitted its report to both
branches today. While it condemns
the general conduct Of the land Office,
the officials therein are exonerated
from charges Of dishonesty, the
methods simply being attacked as lax.
The report recommends against the
repurchase OF the Flathead county
tracts and urges the adoption of law
to legalize not only the Flathead, but
all other land sales, not few of which
are alleged to be violative of the en-.
abling act and the statutes.
The feature of the session of the
senate today was the passage by a
vote of 18 to 9 over the determined
opposition of Senators Meyer and
Cowgirl, to the Berkin racing bill which
gives Butte 30 day race meeting,
and the defeat in committee of the
whole of the Saltwater county bill in
which Meyer and Mcdonnell led the
fight against with Amin and Edwards
for. The vote against its creation
was l6 to 6. The senate also received
the report of the state land inquiry
and adopted it without dissension, al.
though Everett made a protest ag gainst
the accompanying bill which would
legalize the past deeds of the board.
He maintained that the legis ature
had no right to assume that the board
had violated the law, but tn at if it ad
the solons could not with propriety
condone it. He decla ared at the laws
were made for observance by state
boards as we'll as private citizens.
The bill was put through, however.
The senate railroad committee
adopted bill which enlarges the
scope of the railroad commission by
giving it full authority, after notice
and hearing, to make and enforce
rules and regulations providing for
the installation and equipment Of
trains, cars or engines, and to inspect
and enforce the same.
On third reading these house bills
were passed. Relating TO the org an
ization of cities and towns: relating
to city and town parks; providing
punishment for wearing Of uniforms
of the army and navy: election OF
judges in cities and towns; sale of
liquor in villages: regulating hours
OF telephone operators in cities after
being amended so as to apply to cities
of less than 5000 inh habitants; legisla-
tive reference bureau: salary of dep
uty county officials: sampling of ores:
relating to gi ant and blasting powders;
loggers' liens; qualifications of teach.
ers; racing bill for Silver Bow county.
The house adopted the unanimous
report of the committee on privileges
and elections recommending Harbert's
state wide prohibition bill for in.
definite postponement. The chief re-
commend alton made in the report to-
day by the joint committee to investi-
gate the penitentiary is that a COM
mission be appointed Of disinterested
persons to appraise the property now
owned by Conley and McTsgue, and
needed by the state to run the
prison. Another recommend alton is
made concerning what shall be done
with the overflow OF prisoners, the
present penitentiary being inadequate
to house them all. A third recon-
mend alton is that the convicts be put
to work manufacturing binding twine.
On third reading the following bills
were passed by the house this morn.
ing:
S. B. No. Ill, by Edwards-Em-
powering county commissioners to
offer rewards, employ special counsel
and to employ stock detectives.
H. B. No. 80, by Shoemaker-Th
antitrust act.
h. B. No. 160, by Ward-To permit
corpor ations to own, acquire, sell and
pledge stocks and bonds of other cor.
porations. Substitute for S. B. No.
II, introduced by House Judiciary
committee-Relating to the disqualif.
cation of judges.
b. B. No. 227, by Hutchinson
Providing for the appointment of a
state chemist by the state board of
health.
HELENA, March 3.-The governor