Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-09
LEGISLATURE Adjourns Without
Keeping G. o. P. Pledges.
EXTRA SESSION POSSIBLE
Hawley May Call Extra Session
Within Short Time.

Boise. Idaho, March 6.-The 18th
session of the Idaho legislature ad-
;ourned today, after having run over
the pay limit for four days. 1t is re-
carded as liberal body. 1t refused
to enact statewide prohibition law
or to submit resolution for prohibi-
tion by constitutional amendment, not
withstanding the republican platform
promised the latter. A railway com
mission law, promised by the republi-
can platform, was also defeated.
The legislature was republican in
both branches. The direct primary
law was amended by eliminating the
compulsion second choice provision
and providing for representative party
declarations.
Threats Of all extra session filled
the air all day. Senators and men,
bers of the house were caught in the
act of packing their grips, some were
on their way to catch trains for home,
some had already left the city when
that dread rumor ran through the
state house.
Weary statesmen, with anxiety
stamped upon their faces, hurried to
the office Of Governor Hawley to
plead for mercy; anything rather than
an extra session. At first the COVER
nor was like rock of adamant. He
was under the impression that the
legislature had made appropriations
that would carry the tax levy beyond
the 10-mill limit of the constitution.
Lawyers and high state officials were
called in and after close figuring it
was agreed that the constitution was
intact, that total tax levy of 8 II
mills would meet all the obligations
placed upon the tax collectors by the
lawmakers.
This, it was admitted was danger
ously close to the constitutional limit,
within ~ Of mill, but it was de
cided that so far as violation of the
constitution was concerned it would
be unnecessary to call an extra ses-
sion.
Still the governor was not satisfied.
He felt that the legislature had ex-
ceeded the speed limit in spending
the peoples money; that an increase
Of at least 100000 over the appro-
priations Of two years ago was too
much of an added burden to place on
the shoulders Of the taxpayers Of the
state and that prompt action on his
part would be necessary.
When the committee from the
houses and senate called upon him and
informed him that both houses were
ready to adjourn he requested that
the senators and representatives re.
main in the city until he had given
the matter little thought.
1t was pointed out to Governor
Hawley that the general tax levy OF
two years ago for state purposes, ex'
elusive of the interest on bonds and
sinking fund, was 4.s mills and that
this yielded 81, 100000. To meet the
appropriatins of the present session
woulc require general tax levy o1
~ mills and that this would yield q
total for state purposes of 81 800, 600
an increase of 100000. or 5 pei
cent.
AS the governof made strong Piles
all through the last campaign fol
economy, for tightening the tax bur
dens Of the people, and as he pleaded
with the legislators all through thu
session to put on the ''soft pedal,
this situation at the close Of the ses
sion put him face to face with dill
emma that was akward in the ex
treme.
After many conferences with lega
advisers, party leaders and state off
GERS it was finally decided to call
meeting Of the state board Of equal
zatlon and go over the situation in al
seriousness. Senators and representa-
tives were assured by the governo
hnally that he would not call an extr
session within 10 days or two week
and there was a general stampede t
catch outgoing trains.
Senators Shawhan, Yates and Mitch
ell were appointed committee t
notify the house that the senate wa
ready to adjourn. A few minute
later Representatives Johnston, He
lekson and Hammer, a committe