The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-02-18

n pIoVlslon IN the code which per-
mits OF it's liberal Interpretation IS
objected to on the ground that penal
statutes should be strictly construed
A section which permits a court
to instruct jury that they may con-
Wit man of a lesser degree of
crime than that with which he is
charged will be stricken for the rea-
son that the courts construction on
this point may influence the Jury.
Kill Election Pledges.
The senate, by passing a bill MAX
Ing the signing of anti-election
pledges to support any particular bill
or measure disqualification for leg
1SlatlVe office, aimed what was ad-
mitted on the floor Of the senate to
be blow at labor unions, the Anti
Saloon League, the Equal Suffrage
Association and every other organi-
cation that seeks to commit in writ
ing candidates for the legislature to
the enactment Of certain legislation.
The bill also goes SO far as to dis
son who accepts an annual retainer
for looking after the interest of any
person, company Or corporation, and
to disqualify for Office candidates for
supervisor, school director, or any
other Legislative body who sign ante
election pledges to support particu-
lar measures. The scope of the bill
is claimed to include qualification
for city cOnncilmen.
New Law for Schools.
After considering the proposed
| and listening to suggestions Of prom
inent educators, the senate commit
tee on education reported the code
back with the recommendation that
| it be adopted as amended. Relative
! to the certificatiOn Of teachers, the
amendments represent compromise
between the provisions Of the code
and the provisions OF bill intro
duced in the house.
The principal difference in the
two plans of certiticatiOn is that I'M
der the code prime Importance is
| given to normal school training,
while under the house bill expert
! ence is more important.
Would Close Normal School.
A strong movement in favor OF
| closing one of the three state normal
schools in Washington i; on foot and
! Acting Governor Hay says that he is
seriously considering the subject. He
may send message to the legisla-
I ture recommending that one OF the
schools be closed or devoted to pur-
| poses other than instruction of
teachers.
AS arguments for the abandon
ment of one of the schools, it is
claimed thai all the pupils now at
tending the Ellensburg institution
could be introduced at the other in
situations and furnished room and
! board as well, now not allowed stu
dents.
To Regulate Telo phone Systems.
The people Of Washington may be
! protected against the two telephone
systems evil which has afflicted
number Of coast states, # the legis-
lature can arrange laws that will
control such things. A law is now
before the committee ON railroads
| requiring telephone systems to con-
| acct the central Offices with each
other SO hat the patron Of one line
may be able to talk to patrons Of the
other line without expense or delay.
The railroad commission is to take
charge Of the matter Of connections,
Of the equalization of rates and of
the efficiency of the service offered.
Race Track Bill Signed.
The Ole Hanson anti-racetrack
gambling bill has been signed by
Acting-Governor Hay, and ninety
days from the end of the session will
become law.
The measure provides that any
person who registers bets on a horse
race, or who owns building in
which bets are taken, or who trans
mits bets, or who in any way aids
in selling pools on the result of a
| horserace, shall be guilty of felony
and liable to Imprisonment in a PEN
| itentiary from one TO three years.
May Purchase Printing Plant.
The legislature is laboring on a
bill creating printing department,
which will have charge of all print
ing done by the state. A plant cost
ing about $4,000 is planned, and
a printer, practically an executive
head, will be engaged at a salary of
from $4,000 to $4,000 per year.
Washington has handled the print
ing question in almost every way
by contract, by the piece and by the
job-yet no satisfactory solution has
been found. Now it will likely be
made department, to be handled
by the board of control, as are other
| departments and institutions
To Span Columbia River.
With only two votes in the sem
ate against it and with no opposition