The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1915-02-18

tional convention shall be elected.
ination would have to file petitions
| containing signatures numbering per
cent of the voters in each congression-
al district, to have their names go on
the ballot. Candidates for delegate
to the national convention would be re-
quired to file similar petitions and ex-
press a preference for one of the pres
ldential candidates in their party.
They must also sign a pledge to work
for the candidate nominated. II the
chairman of the national convention
refused to seat the delegates elected
from this state under the act, the Sec
retary of state would be enjoined from
putting the names of that party's can
didates for president on the ballot.
Universal Registration Bill.
Without the party registration feat
ure that was one of the main draw
| backs to the Whitney registration bill
in the senate, the house passed the
Kelly act, which follows the Whitney
bill closely
| The bill provides for quadrennial
statewide registration, which must be
kept alive during the four years by
regular voting at all municipal and
general elections. Missing a school,
park or special bond election will not
forfeit the registration. Changes in
registration from one precinct to an
other inside city may be made up
to the day of election, but otherwise
the books will be closed 20 days be-
fore a general election and 10 days
before a primary.
The universal registration bill Is
necessary to carry out the republican
plan of revision of the initiative and
referendum act, provided in compan-
ion bill, which will be up for passage
this week. This bill will require all
initiative and referendum petitions to
be signed at registration offices, pro-
hibiting any circulation of petitions
and barring solicitation of signatures
within 100 feet of a registration office.
This bill carries an emergency clause,
which, if adopted, would make its pro-
visions apply to the invocation Of the
referendum on any bills passed by the
present legislature.
Public Defender Provided by Bill.
An act providing for election Of a
public defender in all counties Of the
state was introduced in the senate by
! Campbell of Everett, such officer to
receive half the salary of prosecutor
and to represent defendants in Grimm
al actions, and workmen in the cOllec-
ton of wages, where amounts involv-
ed are less than 800.
The commissioners in Spokane,
Pierce, King, Snohomish and What
com counties would appoint the de-
fender Immediately upon passage OF
the act, other counties to elect the
new officer in 1916.
House Passes Bill Reducing Interest.
A reduction in the rate on delin-
quent personal taxes from Is to IL
per cent is provided for in a bill which
passed the house. The bill also takes
the collection of these taxes out of the
hands of the sheriff and places them
in the hands of county treasurers.
The house also passed bill prohib-
iting the diversion of revenues raised
by assessments for special purposes
into other funds. The bill was de-
manded by a majority of the King
county delegation to prevent dupli'
cation of financial tangles such as Sc
attic has at the present time, and only
seven voted against the measure.
New First-Aid Bill Offered.
Another "first-aid' bill, backed by
organized labor, was introduced in the
senate by Senator Campbell, making
three measures dealing with this sub
ject now before the legislature.
Tie new bill provides that employ
ers shall bear the entire cost of medi-
cal and hospital attendance of injured
workmen, that the workman be per
mitted to choose his physician and
that the industrial insurance commits
sion take charge of a state fund to
meet costs.
Legislative Brevities.
Among the bills in the senate is one
restoring capital punishment.
Collection agencies will be required
to file $4,000 bond to guarantee the
faithful and honest performance of
their duty if bill introduced by Yale
passes.
A third first aid bill, this time a
labor measure, under which all costs
of first aid would be borne by the en-
ployer, was put into the senate.
The constitutional limitations now
against county officers holding their
seats longer than two terms would be
amended by bill introduced by Wray
and Lincoln Davis of King.
Palmer of King introduced bill
permitting barber shops to remain
open on Sunday and another which
abolishes the board of barber exam
iners and all enactments regulating
barber shops.
The legislature has ignored Cover
nor Listers principal recommendation
that steps be taken to call constitu
tiopal convention and has shown nc