Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1911-01-21
DOINCStAT THE
LEGISLATURE
A Resume of the Doings OF the
Law Makers at the State
Capitol.

q
ate last Friday. Governor Haw
ley accepted the compromise oi
the Republican members to have
Mr.. Rich's term start February
Is. The Democrats had contend
ed that his term should start at
once. The appointment was con.
firmed by unanimous vote after
considerable debate between the
contending parties
Senator Freehafer of Washing
ton county is preparing a bill to
be introduced in the senate to
have the ballot changed from the
present form, and abolish the q
Gle at the top Of the ballot. The
difficulty Of the judges to count
the votes, is the reason Mr. Free
hafer gives for changing the pre-
sent form. 1t is the general un-
derstanding of the law that an
X marked in the circle at the
top means the straight ticket, and
that the voter shouls not make
that cross at the top If he wants
to scratch his ticket. However,
many voters will make the X and
further down the ballot will max
crosses for candidates OF the 9th
er parties, and this causes disa-
greement among the judges and
many ballots are not counted for
that reason.
Mr.. Freehafer deserves credit
for the move. Anything that
will help to simplify the law for
better understanding will be ap-
preciated by the people.
The public land committee has
bill under consideration to linn
it the sale of public land to 70
sections in one year and mo-
sell over 100 acres to any person,
company or corporation. This
measure restricts the power OF tn
state land board, and will undou-
btedly be the means OF checking
the sale of public property to
corporations ON terms unfavor-
able to the public in general, and
very often resulting in expensive
litigation at the expense of the
public.
Senator W. II. Hornibrook in
troduced in the senate a resolu-
tion for an amendment to the
constitution of the state of Idaho,
giving the people the right to re-
call any public officer Except
officers Of the Judicial depart
ment) for cause. If twenty five
per cent of the electors who vo-
ted for Secretary of State at the
preceding election file petition
asking for the recall of any Off
cial, a special election may be
held to vindicate the official, or
elect another in his place. If it
is made a law, specifications re-
garding the petition, and also OPP
portunity for the official to vim
dicate himself will be made.
The election law of the state
will govern the election caused by
recall. The expenses of the e.
lection will be paid from the pub
lie treasury. Senators and Re
presentatives may be recalled af-
ter having served FIVE days; 9th
er officials cannot be recalled un-
til they have served six months.
Representative Walker Of Ell
more County, introduced a bill
providing for the authorization
and appointment of an additional
judge in the Fourth Judicial Dis
trict.
House bill 55 relates to doors
in theatres and churches and 9TH
er public places. 1t will make
it compulsory to have doors in all
such places swing out, which is in
places swing outward, which is in
accordance with fire regulations.
Representative l.. E. Glennon
of Custer County, introduced
bill which, if it becomes a law,
will make it compulsory for tel
egraph companies to transmit
messages in conjunction with tel
ephone companies, if necessary
for quick delivery.
"A measure of far reaching i'm
portance, and which will likely
meet opposition is introduced in
the senate. The bill is aimed
against corporations who are try
ing to get possession of all the
streams and power sites in the
state. In the northern part of the
state, long and expensive litiga-