Gilpin observer., 1913-01-23
BILL TO REGULATE
SHELTER TRUST PASSED.

Senator Leroy ]. Williams bill to
make smelters in the state come un-
der the public utility act was passed
on the third reading In the Senate,
Monday. 1t now goes to the house for
passage. Our representative, C. o.
Richards, will endeavor to have it put
/ through at once, without delay.
Charged with having paralyzed the
mining industry Of Colorado, with hav-
ing debauched the politics and arrest
ed the prosperity Of the state, the
smelter trust was mercilessly grilled
in the senate. Senator Leroy J. Will
liams' bill for the submission OF a
the smelling business to be an indus
try affected with public interest
and devoted to the public use, passed
on third reading by vote Of 26 to s.
Opponents Of the measure sought
to justify their opposition behind the
plea that the same bill had been re-
jected by the people at the last cleo
tion and that the legisloture was es-
tablishing a dangerous precedent in
the enactment of measures repudiated
at the polls. This contention was ans
wered on all sides by the assertion
that, under the initiative and referen-
DUN, the powers Of hte legislature in
resubmitting enactments has not been
curtailed.
Senator William H. Adams opposed
the passage of the bill, because, he
said, the legislature should respect
the will OF the people.
do you mean to say that, because
the people have rejected a measure
submitted to them, that the legisla-
ture cannot resubmit the measure at
subsequent election?" asked Sena-
tor Tierney of Denver.
| Adams replied that the legislature
could resubmit any measure it de-
sired, but that, as long as the people
had spoken, he would stand by their
| wishes.
Senator Napier said that the initia-
tive and referendum was in the ma
ture of contract by which the people
stipulated that the legislature should
be free to enact or repeal any legisla'
ton it saw fit, and the people retain
ed the same right. He spoke in favor
Of the bill and was followed by Sen
ator Garman, who warmly supported
the measure. Senator Pearson Of Gun
nison, Ian active mining man. CLOSED
the debate by a speech on the ruin.
Gus effects of the trust.
Senator John T. Joyce of San Juan
followed with recital on the depress
ing influences which the organization
of the smelling trust had exerted OF
the mining industry.
Il recall" said Senator Joyce, "tha
when the trust was organized there
were six smelters in Leadville. Sil
months after the organization all but
two of these smelters were disman
tied and the same policy was pursued
by the smelter trust in closing down
the smelters in Denver and Pueblo.
The enactment of this measure
Will give the people another opportun
ity of choosing between the trust
and the prosperity of the state
Senator Leroy ]. Williams of Gilpir
ascribed the defeat of the measure tc
the fact that it hadn't been submitted
last November with the six constitu
tional amendments, but in separate
place on the ballot, and the agricult
ural sections had overlooked it's i'm
portance to the prosperity of the en-,
tire state.
Following was the vote on final pas
sage:
Blakey, Carver, Cross, Garman, lies
Joyce. Macarthur. Matz, Morris Nap
Ter. Parrish, Pearson, Reynolds, Helel
Ring Robinson, w. C. Robinson, Step
han. Tierney, Tobin Van Tilborg
Weiland. Williams-Total, &c.
Against-Adams. Hayden. Hecker
Hits, Sharpley, West-Total, 6.