Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-04-01
REsuME nF MIssnnRI
LEGISLATURE RESULTS

RESUME OF MISSOURI
LEGISLATURE RESULTS
The Missouri Legislature came to
a final close Monday morning.It made
a reputation as a do-nothing body
largely because it was of the opinion
that the state already had more laws
than it needed. Much Of its energies
were devoted to beating the 1900 bills
which covered every branch Of human
activity, most of the number being
either foolish or vicious in their ten
denotes. Appropriations were larger
than they should have been. Governor
Major win eliminate large sums be-
fore signing the bills.
State Taxes VIII Be Lower.
The state tax rate will be lowered
from l9c TO 1se on the 100, as was
forecasted in the Appeal two months
ago. A surplus Of nearly one million
dollars in one of the state funds will
be used to take care of any deficiency
that may arise from the reduction.
More Aid For Weak Schols.
State aid for weak rural schools
will be continued and increased. Over
1000 country schools have been en-
abled to have eight month terms
through the workings Of this law dur
ing the last year. The new law au-
thorizes the state treasury to pay
5000 instead of s1OO if such a sum is
necessary to enable district to keep
its school going eight months.
More Roads to be Dragged.
The sum allowed for dragging
country roads was increased from
s225,OOO to S35O,OOO. This will enable
the state authorities TO take care of
about $1,000 miles of road this year
and next, an increase Of about 5000
miles.
Less Constitutional Amendments.
Only one constitutional amendment
was authoritative years ago eleven
were ordered put upon theticket at an
expense of something like $4,000 to
the state and 100000 to the coun-
ties.
Cheaper Irvine.
Binder twine will be cheaper and
easier to get. Instead of having to
send orders to the penitentiary, the
farmers will be able to get it from 10
cal agencies the state will establish
in every county. The twine will be
sold practically at cost.
Longer Time To Hunt Quail.
The open season for hunting quail
was extended. 1t win begin on the
10th of November and continue to the
9th of December Under the old law
it was limited to the month of De-
cember.
Dollar Apiece For Hawks.
The state will ray a bounty of
dollar apiece for hawk scalps This
law was passed at the solicitation of
various poultry associations.
Premium Money for Poultry Shows.
The state will hereafter give 500
year to any regularly organized poul-
try association. The money will be
used as premiums, the object being to
further encourage one of the great
est and most profitable industries in
Missouri.
Prison for First Offenders.
A reformatory for youthful first
offenders against the law will be es-
tablshed. At present all'who get pen
itentiary sentences go to the same
prison, the young and inexperienced
men, who otherwise might repent and
reform, being confined with old and
hardened criminals who convert their
cells into schools for crime
Free Books for Poor Children.
School boards now have authority
to purchase books out of the general
funds for any children who might
otherwise be unable to get them.
Nurses for tuberculosis.
County courts viii be authorized to
provide special nurses for such vic
tins of tuberculosis as may not be
able to afford proper attention. The
duty of the nurse would be to look
after sanitary conditions and take
steps to prevent further spread of the
disease as well as to care for the pa
tient.
Better Banking Laws.
Monroe county banks, and all other
state banks, will be entitled to the
privileges of the Government Reserve
Banks, the same as National Banks,
under the new law. Other provisions
throw additional safeguards about
the banking business and make it
possible for Missouri banks to give
even better Accommodations and pro-
lection to their patrons.
A Good Insurance Law.
The new insurance law brings all
insurance companies under state con
troll. None of them can advance their
rates without state consent nor until
they have proved beyond doubt that
such an advance is necessary. The
savings to policy holders, it is esti-
mated, will be s2,OOO,OO0 a year after
the system is in practical working