The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-03-18
LEGISLATIVE GRIND
LobeCk Prohibition Bill Defeated in
the State Senate Last Thursday
by Vote of so to ~.
A Bill Providing for Drastic Marriage
Regulations introduced by Re-
preventative SOuthWick.

Governor Hammond sent his first
special message to the legislature
last Thursday, and urged the passage
of the efficiency and economy bill.
The governor admitted that the bill
was not perfect, but expressed the
opinion that conditions would be
bettered by it's adoption. Numerous
of the legislators, however, are not
enthusiastic over the measure, as
they desire to be shown in what re-
spect the bill would improve con-
ditions. At best it is only an ex-
pertinent and the solons do not pro-
pose to revolutionize the system of
state government until they are COLI
vinced that it will benefit the state.
Senator E. J. Westlake of Mime
apolis has introduced bill provid.
ing that railroads may charge ~
cents a mile for transporting passen-
gers. Senator Westlake cited rates
in other states in support of his
measure, and stated that he believed
that the people desired rates to be
fixed on fair and scientific basis.
The senate last Thursday confirmed
a nubmer of Gov. Hammond's recent
appointments, including Justice AL
bert Schaller's appointment to the
supreme court, and r. T.. DAILY of
Renville, and J. G. Michael of st.
Paul to district courts.
The house committee on roads and
bridges has approved Of the bill pro-
viding for imprisonment without
option of fine for second offense by
automobile speeders.
Senator Nord proposes to require
county auditors to attend schools of
information.
Senator Lobeck's bill providing for
prohibition by statutory enactment,
went down to defeat in the senate
last Thursday by a vote of II to so.
The defeat was not unexpected, as
numerous Of the senators would not
care to adopt a prohibition law with
out giving the people an opportunity
to pass on same. There will be a
vote in both branches later upon the
question Of submitting constitu-
tional amendment providing for
statewide prohibition. ~
Representative Southwick has in
PRODUCED bill providing for drastic
regulation of marriages. He believes
that the chief cause of divorce is lax
marriage laws, which foster hasty
and ill-judged matches. The bill
would abolish common law marriage,
and would require five days notice
to be given of prospective marriages.
In some cases notice to be served on
the parents before licenses are issued.
Both parties are required to make
affidavit to their physical and men,
tai fitness to enter the marriage re-
lation. The measure also requires
all blanks to be furnished from the
state capitol, and complete register
of all marriages in the various coun-
ties to be filed annually with the
secretary of state This bill is du-
plicate Of measure by Mr.. South
wick introduced two years ago,
which passed the house but reached
the senate too late for action.
Representative Sliter's bill to put
county officers back on a two-year
basis has been killed in the house.
The senate last Thursday after
noon passed the proposed constitu-
tional amendment by Senator R. G.
Dunn intended to protect the states
right to the minerals underlying
meandered lakes and streams. The
amendment authorizes the legisla-
ture to provide by law for the pro-
lection of this right and for mining
such ores.
Representative Warner proposes to
tax graduated earnings of telephone
companies 3 to 5 per cent, with an
additional 30 cents on each instru-
ment used.
A bill putting warehousemen,
other than grain and cold storage
Warehousemen,, under the railroad
and warehouse commission. with
power to regulate rates, service and
business conduct, has been intro
duced in the house.
The house last Saturday afternoon
adopted an amendment to the rules
providing that hereafter no bill may
be made a special order except by
two-thirds vote.
The house last Friday passed the
K. G. Dunn amendments to the
Dunn road law, after defeating the
proposal to reduce the minimum of
state road aid in any county from l
per cent to eight-tenths of l per
cent. The principal feature of the