The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-01-11
LEGISLATURE BEGINS WORK
Direct Primary Measure Introduced
BY Senator Everett.

Direct Primary Measure Introduced
BY Senator Everett.
HELENA, Jan. 3.-The filing of two
contests over house seats and four
senate seats, the introd notion of three
bills In tie senate, notices of many
others In both chambers and the lie.
teuing to the reading of thegovernor's
message consumed the time of the leg.
islsture today.
The galleries and sisles of the house
chamber were packed this forenoon
when Governor Norris read his mes.
cage. The message, which was 1900
words in length, occupied the COVER.
nor about an hour, and applause
greeted him at various points of the
address. HE references to direct pri.
maries and direct election of United
States senators we're loudly applaud.
ed. The governor complimented the
state militia for its prompt responses
to the call to fight forest fires, and
this also was applauded.
J. Fleming Of Rosebud, has been
made postm aster Of the legislature.
The rules of the eleventh Legislature
have been temporarily adopted by
both the house and senate until such
time as the committee on rules can
formulate new rules. Speaker Nc
Dowell announce the standing com.
mittees as soon as possible.
In the senate George of Yellow
stone, introduced re.apportionment
measure; and notice of q similar bill
was given in the house by Bell.
Again in the senate Everett of Chou.
teau, introduced direct primary bill,
while in the house Byrnes gave notice
of such q measure.
Allery OF Silver Bow, gave notice
of a bill that will arouse much inter.
est, relating as it does to the issuance
of free passes by the railroads to cer-
tain persons.
HELENA, Jan. An the state sen.
ate today Mr.. Survant introduced q
resolution providing for an investiga.
tion of the livestock commission and
Messrs. Everett and Stout was named
to act with like committee from the
house. Mr.. Donlan introduced q
resolution relative to the state taking
over the insane asylum and oper ating
it direct, and Messrs. Donlan, Mufly
and Selway were named to act with q
like committee from the house. Sena.
tor Mccarthy introduced a resolution
that after the fiftieth day no bills
should be introduced except by un.
animous consent, appropriation bills
being excluded. 1t was adopted.
The house was thrown into q jangle
this morning on resolution offered
by Duffy Of Silver Bow, providing
for the appointment of legislative
committee to investig ate the metsllifer.
Gus mines of Montana and especially
those of Butte with special reference
to their sanitary condition and safety
appliances used. After much time
had been frittered away, the resolu.
tion was made special order.
The governor submitted number of
communications and reports to the
house this morning. One of them con-
tanned statement of all state prison
convict cases in which executive elem.
ency in the pardoning of convicts and
the reduction of their sentences was
exercised during the past two years.
This is the first report of this kind
ever made to the legislature by q gov
ernor, but the statutes require it, and
Governor Norris complied with the
law.
The governor also submitted con-
gressionsl resolution which calls for
an amendment to the constitution of
the United States providing for an in.
come tax. This resolution is sent to
the legislatures OF the various states
for ratification, and the governor
recommended that it be ratified.
he also submitted the state board of
examiners report concerning capitol
improvements. The report estim ates
that the work on the wings of the
building will be finished in q year.
The report also states that all the
money available for the purchase Of
Montana granite for use in the build
ing will not be used, and the governor
suggests that come OF it be used for
the decor alton of the building.
Alleys pass bill, introduced today,
provides that the railroads can issue
free passes to employees, doctors,
nurses and helpers In case OF wrecks
or accidents; soldiers and sailors,
ministers engaged in charitable or re.
ligious work, destitute and homeless
persons, to executive, judicial and
legislative officers, and employees of
newspapers in exchange for sdver.
tising. The bill also provides that