The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-09-09
WHOLESOME LEGISLATION
ASSURED At NEXT SESSION
Work Outlined for Regular Meet.
ing Of Legislature Several In
vesligadOns VIII Be Made

ohidnpUIh Alltgt tfhidst AHtHAs
There will be no special session OF
the Third Legislature for submission
of plan 10 reduce the expense of
county government. Gov Gruee be-
lieved that $500. 600 could he saved
TO counties annually If the legisla-
ture would view the situation as a
business one, and not permit local
influences TO gauge it's action. WheA
the special session idea was under
consideration. those who sounded the
legislative members found neither
unanimity of sentiment nor any
thing approximating il, as to how a
reduction should he made when II
ought to become effective. or what
offices could be abolished without
rendering government inefficient.
few expressed themselves that there
should be no legislation upon the sub
ject at all From the different opin-
ions it was evident that a special
session would accomplish nothing
satisfactory. and Coy. Cruce and his
conferees decided that the subject
should go to the regular session next
winter, when q new set OF lawmakers
would be at the helm, Added TO this
is the fact that the present legsla-
ture Is not nndulT friendly toward
the governor and il is doubtful II his
recommendations would have receiv
ed serious attention
With the next legislature the situa-
8ion is thought 10 be different From
the Democratic side, as shown by
nominations ii is regarded as a legis-
lature generally friendly TO the gov
ernor and his policies. There are
some recommendations the governor
will make that the legislature is Id no
mood to accept but II is not believed
the Discrimination will apply 10 the
subject OF economy. His policy as 10
reduction in the cost Of government
has been echoed by the taxpayer and
candidates of all parties have given
evidence Of such harmony with this
sentiment that the people expect at
least a reasonable effort along that
line
Legal Opinions Vary
It must not be assumed that any
legislative body of t42 members
would run through program without
the presentation of individual IDEAS
as to the terms applicable and, here
in lies practically the only danger
next winter. If the legislature gets
into a tange as TO when the reduc-
ton, if made Is TO become effective,
or bubbles a S TO where it shall ap-
ply the sixty days OF session is Ii
able to pass without satisfactory ac-
complishment Attorneys have given
the governor an opinion that coun-
ty officer could be legislated out OF
office at any time during his term
The view has been contradicted BY
others, holding that the constitution
guarantees an elective office full
term without the compensation being
altered up or down during the term.
There Is a disposition among many
members-to-be, without regard to
either opinion to make the reduction
effective two wears hence save in
abolishns deputies positions. believ.
ing that since the county officer has
made costly campaign and been
elected he is entitled to the fruits
thereof
The song OF economy has been so
thoroughly impressed upon the Off.
cial mind that state, as we'll as coun-
ty officers will have to look to their
Iau.els. If the disposition grows
practically no branch of the govern
mem will escape attention of the
pruners. Contingent funds, appro
priations for clerk hire. assistants
and the like are all slated to so un-
der the knife. The fish and game
warden's department may expect a
bill seeking to reduce the organIza-
ton to a chief and one or two deputy
wardens. but no more. making all
peace officers game wardens for en-
forcement of the law: TO direct that
the revenue of the department. eXclu-
sive of modest amount to he allow
ed for game propagation. shall go 70
the general revenue or 10 the public
school funds
Some departments may expect buls
abolishing them and some of the
state institutions will have 10 come mp
with good showings in order TO get
appropriations An attempt is 10 be
made 10 abolish some of the district
agricultural schools to merge nor
NAL schools and combine other state
institutions.
Ar early guess is that the leslsla-
ture will have a very difficult time IN
determining which institution, If any
are 10 go and there is an excellent
opportunity for the whole scheme o.
reform and reduction TO become IN
volved in this one proposition.
Preparation OF Budgets
Under resolution of the last reg