Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1911-01-13
WITH IDAHO'S LAWMAKERS
What Is Happening In Both Branches
Of the State Legislature.

lature was a rather short one, and but
little was accomplished. Adjourn
ment was taken on Thursday until
Monday. This adjournment was
taken after house bill No. /, appro-
priating $4,000 to delray the expenses
of the legislature, had been rushed
through both branches. AS this bill
provides for the pay of the members,
it took precedence Of everything else.
A Leiston dispatch says: Members
of the legislature from Nez Perez
county will urge the passage of an
amendment to the statutes making
possible the construction of dams
without locks In the Clearwater river
and its tributaries. This will make
it possible for the large timber COM
panies that operate on these streams,
and the state and private individuals,
to float millions of feet of burned
over timber to the lower river saw
mills, which, If left as it is, will be
useless within three years.
Democratic senator's and represen-
tatives have perfected an organization
manded by Governor Hawley in his
message. Democrats are already at
work ON a number OF bills to be intro
duced early in the session.
Representative Samuel Friend of
Blaine county makes no secret of his
opposition to the division of Blaine
county.
An effort will be made to have the
present Legislature divide Fremont
county into three or possibly four
counties. Under the new arrangement
Rexburg would be the county seat of
what would be called Jefferson coun-
ty; Rigby would be the county seat of
the new Lewis and Clark county
(naraed after the famous explorers),
while st. Anthony would remain the
county seat Of Fremont county prop
err. The assessed valuation of Ere
mont county today is nearly 100000
900, and its population is about $4,000.
Senator Fred w. GooGing OF Lincoln
county and Representative Peter G..
Johnston of Bingham county are the
recognized leaders of the Republicans
in the two branches.
The much discussed Mackay dam
matter is before the senate. 1t comes
in the form of bill fathered by Sena-
tors Macbeth and Coates providing
for the construction of a spillway in
the Mackay dam to guard against the
loss of life and property by break in
the dam.
Senator Perry w. Mitchell OF Nez
Perez county is preparing a bill for
early introduction in the legislature
providing that a county auditor can
not make out tax deed to land on
which taxes are delinquent until 80
days notice has been served in due
and legal form on the owner of the
property.
Five thousand copies of the govern
or's message were ordered printed for
the use Of the senate and house.
"Drys" in the legislature are not
well satisfied with the drift of affairs,
1t is said, and one of the early and
bitter fights of the session bids fair to
develop around the liquor issue.
That the legislature will be called
upon to cause a searching inyestiga-
ton to be made of the state land
board Is the declaration of Senator
Ravenel Macbeth of Custer county.
Adams G. Johnson, the aged legisla-
tor from Nez Perez county, for whose
safety fear was felt because of his
failure to arrive in the capital city
aft h.
Was expected to reach Boise, was in
his seat in the house on Tuesday. He
was delayed in his long cross-country
trip by heavy SHOWS. Mr.. johnson is
10 years old.
A strong fight will probably be made
to pass a bill creating a public utili-
ties commission of broader scope than
the proposed railroad commission, as
1t will cover not only railroads, but
telephone, telegraph and all other pub
lie utilities corporations.
1t is generally felt that the Repub-
licans cannot muster the required
two-thirds majority In each house to
submit the prohibition amendment,
as promised in the platform, though
the leaders have not abandoned hope.
1t is said that when this matter comes
to vote in the senate the Republic
cans will lose three party votes and
may gain three Democratic votes.
Representative Amos NJ. Strobe Of
Shoshone county will not carry a
pocket knife furnished by the state
Of Idaho, and there are some other
things he will not accept. In this he
Is actuated not by consideration of
the value of the article, but by the
principle involved
Senator Abner G. Kerns is deeply
interested in the matter of having
written up and printed the notes of
the constitutional convention held in
1899. This is considered important.
not only from an historical but from
legal standpoint. Up to this time
these notes have not been written up
or printed because of the expense
1t would entail.