The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-04-02

THE FIFTH LEGISLATURE
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Oklahoma City,
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| Oklahoma City,
The fifth legislature has adjourned
after completing in only a few day
over the legal limit, more importan
legislation than any other session IL
the states history. The session thee
rencally closed at noon on Tuesday
March 90, but the clocks were stopped
and 1t was long, long noon till the
boys went home.
The senate, of course, will remain
in session long enough to try the I'm
parchment charges against WEIGH and
Watson.
The house quit doing business after
IL O'Clock, noon, and the remainder
of the day was given over to recelv
ing reports and acting on senate meas
ures.
Resolutions were presented by the
republican minority of the house and
also by that of the senate, thanking
the presiding officers of each and
also the members of the majority for
the fair treatment accorded during
the session. In this respect the fifth
legislature is almost unique since
statehood began.
Senator Chase of Nowata took nos.
session Of the presidents chair and
recognized Senator Barrett of Shaw
nee, who in words of praise for the
president pro TEN, Senator F. L. Nit
chell, presented him with a gold
watch, the gift of members and en-
ployes of the senate. Senator Chase
of Seminole followed with a gift of
an umbrella and cane to Senator M.
S. Blassingame, leader of the demo
cratic caucus and floor leader, and
Senator John D. Pugh of Anadarko
presented the president, Lieutenant
Governor Trap, with similar gift
Senator Burford of Guthrie, presented
Gus Pool, chief clerk of the senate
with a grip, the gift of employees of
the enrolling room.
During the final session the finish
ing touches were placed upon the gen.
eral deficiency bill and it was passed
and sent to the governor. The gen
eral appropriation bill was given the
same treatment and both were so
handled in conference that on the
final vote practically every difference
of any importance Ind been elm.
mated. In the general deficiency bill
the Leader claim and the Fenton claim
were both stricken from the bill and
the Jacobs claim was reduced to
$1,000 as a compromise between the
contending parties.
Claims In. Dispute.
These were the only items upon
which any stubbornness of opinion
was apparent. The Leader claim was
in the sum of $500 and grew out of a
contract for printing the report of
the insurance commissioner in which
the printer claimed that the extra
amount charged was for work done In
excess Of the terms of his contract
and that the work was done on the
order of the insurance commissioner
The Fenton claim was for commits
sions claimed to be due him for con-
fiscation and sale of contraband liquor
under a contract with the state. The
Jacobs claim is of old standing and
has Deen before several legislative
bodies of the state. 1t is for posses
sorry right on school land taken from
him for the use of the Agricultural
and Mechanical college at Saltwater.
The interesting fight of the final
session came over the final passage
of the cigaret bill 1t repeats the
present law prohibiting the sale of
cigarets in the state but contains q
drastic provision with reference to
their sale to minors. The bill is
thought to be one that can and will
be rigidly enforced and for this reason
it had the support of the Y. M. c. A.
and many of the women's club organ
izations of the state.
The Lemon and Pinkham bill which
is substitute for the Mitchell bill
in the senate provides for the removal
OF certain county and state officers on
actions to be initiated by the governor
in the case of drunkenness or failure
to perform their duties as prescribed
by law. II had stormy voyage
through both houses but was finally
passed in the form in which 1t came
from the house.
Four Year Tenure Bill.
The four-year tenure of office bill
for county officials was killed in the
house by Il motion indefinitely to post
pone further consideration when it
came up on a motion for concurrence
In the senate amendments and notice
Of its demise was conveyed to the
senate in house message during the
afternoon session.
The Davidson-R Russell bill providing
for the continuation of tick eradica-
ton work was passed on final roll call
and by its terms county commissioners
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