The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1913-02-20
TIE LAW MAKERS.
Happenings at Olympia as seen by the
Tribune Correspondents.

ion has been concluded and it does
not take more than grammer
school student to tell just what has
been accomplished by the thir-
teenth assembly of the state of
Washington, and at that the stu
dent wouldn't have to jog his MEM
ory to get it right. However, the
assembly has already made a rec
ord for the introduction of bills,
over 500 being the number on the
list of the two houses. II the
rule voted in the house couple of
weeks ago is acceded to then in
less than a week no more bills
will be allowed to be introduced.
But as on all former occasions the
house by a two-thirds vote will
doubtless permit members to in
troduce bills up until the last mo-
ment.
About the most notable act OF
the house this week was the pass
age of the Mothers Pension bill
introduced by Corkery. of Spokane
and Rowland. of Pierce. both Pro-
gressives Just what means these
members used to get the big ma
jority of house members to vote
for their measure has not as yet
been determined, but the very fact
that 81 voted for the bill and only
4 against, with absent, shows that
there must have been something do
ing, or else the house members have
begun to think that there must be
something in the saying that the
people at home are watching US
like hawks" On the other hand
it is declared that there was a sim
lister motive behind the actions of
the majority of the ''unholy alli-
ance" in supporting this measure
it is openly declared that it is tn
intention of the standpat Republi-
cans and many of the Democrats tt
vote against the measure which will
put into effect the machinery fol
the initiative, referendum and re
call as voted for by the people o.
the state last fall. If such is the
case there will be all the more rea-
son for the people making more
decided their opinions in two years
hence.
No little furry has been caused
in the state capitol over the pass
age by the house of the alien lane
bill. fathered by Hughes of What
com. County. This measure had the
effect of stirring up the secretary
of state OF the United States, who
wired Governor Lister asking that
he use his influence in having fur-
ther action on the measure with
held until further advice could be
communicated to him. since 1t was
feared the enactment of such a
measure might act in a manner det-
rimental to the peaceable interests
now maintained between this coun-
try and Japan. The governor took
the matter up with the senate lead
ers and the upper branch of the
legislature will do nothing with the
bill until Secretary of State Knox
can be heard from further. The bill
which prohibits the ownership OF
property by other than white aliens
is said to be directly aimed at the
japanese and Chinese.
There will be no INCREASE in sal
ary of legislators two years hence,
because the house easily killed the
Middaugh bill providing for an in
crease from IS to $40. The mem
bers decided that the honor OF be-
ing legislator compensated for
the difference between what they
get and what they think they ought
to get.
Another commission is provided
for in bill III, which passed the
house few days ago. providing Tor
n court of domestic relations to
have Jurisdiction over divorce and
alimony matters.
In the passage of House Bill No
ia. the house has given its sane
tion to the formation of cooperative
associations by farmers OF the state
this being a measure very much de-
sired by the farmers Legislative
committee.
Anderson believes the state con.
stitution should be redrafted ano
for this purpose he has introduced
n bill in the senate providing fol
submission to the voters in 1914
of a proposition as to whether
constitutional convention shall be
held. If the proposition carries by
a majority vote of those voting or
1t, the next legislature shall III
the date for such constitutional con
vention and also date of election FOL
delegates thereto, the convention Il
be held within four months aftel
such election. Members elected arr
to be allowed $40 per day for 6(
days. but there is no limit set fol
the time the convention may be IL
session. 1t is provided that eacf
county shall have one delegate, ant
in addition each county shall have
one delegate for each 10000 popu
lation or major fraction thereof
based on the federal census of 191
The convention is to be held a
the state capital.
What is taken as being anothel
fight on the state grange. came vi
in the house last Friday when Gras
introduced u measure providing TO
an eight hour a day law for all EN-
ployes of persons, firms or cor
porations. An exception is mad
in the case of harvesters, person.