The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1915-03-11

Inc legislature ADJOURNED MONDAY
night, after having served days over
time without pay. The closing days
were marked by rather acrimonious de-
bate with the governor on appropria-
tions, especially on the educational in
stitutions. If they could but slip up on
the governor now, and see the govern
or slaughtering their pet bills by the
score, like grizzly bear in flock of
spring lambs, they wouldn't ever ad-
journ, but would stay to pass over his
veto the nearly 200 bills they left in his
hands.
The legislature has been one of the
most humdrum gatherings ever held in
the state. In the senate, no one made
much of hit except Randall of Nez
Perce and Rockwell of Blaine, both new
men. Rockwell made the biggest i'm
preston of all, without doubt. Few
OF the old-timers we're up to form; Day
of Latah was probably the best. And
in the house, the average slump was
even more noticeable. There seems to
have been no one big or winning enough
to be real outstanding leader; and no
one disagreeable enough to be gener-
ally disliked. 1t was as mediocre as its
average output. The quantity of leg
islation was much above par, however.
The democrats swapped leaders once,
finding in Chase Clark a good though
not phenomenal leader. Speaker Con-
ner got through with credit. The one
great good thing about the legislature
is that they did SO little harm---though
with SO many bills it was terrible
risk! Out of the we'll on to 200 bills
left with the governor when the ses-
sion closed, a considerable number will
probably be vetoed by the governor; SO
the net increase in laws will possibly |
not be excessive.
But it should not be inferred that it
was bad legislature; for it wasn't. 1t |
probably had less carousing, less tam
pering from sinister outside influences,
than any other for years. About the
only criticism is that there was no issue
big enough to make any one extend
himself. Who could fight magnificently
for two-bit appropriation, or for a
few words changing statute that in
terfered with some lawyers clients de-
sires? The output of oratorical red fire
was unbelievably small, in view of the
close partisan rivalry and the warlike
governor. If it proves anything, it is
that the two parties are so close to-
gether that they can't find ANYTHING
worth fighting about after the offices
are filed
The prohibition bill was fair test of
the morality of the legislature And
the Bowman emergency employment
bill spoke well for its humanity. But
you couldn't pry them loose from the
method of legislation by
horse-swapping process. Trade one big
bill for two little bills and resolution
they couldn't dream of any more rat
ional method of making lawsl But not ,
all can be Websters or Washingtons,
any more than all can be Raphaels or
Michael Angeles or Jack Johnsons!
An interesting forecast of what might {
happen next year was brought out at Q
a dinner given last week by Senator 7
John Hart, president of the senate, re-
,,1hIicap r.t,oroI ooxrx,;+<oo.- -
oell weather of the southeast. State /,
Chairman George Day and number of
quests were present. The name of A
lieut.. Gov. Herman Taylor was pre- n
ented as 'the next governor of Ida n
10" IL is understood that Peter G. 9
'ohnston, of Bingham county, member Q
# the legislature for the past years,
vas favored as running mate for con- A
'ress. Both have been prominent in
he legislature just closed. To start
n thus early, with such official back
ng, should please any candidate. The r,
wo men represent the extremes of the :,
tate, Taylor coming from Standpoint, n
the farthest north,' while Johnston q,
} just as far to the southeast. .
One really good bill seems to have ;,
cen passed, which was vetoed by the u,
overnor-t the fish and gsme bill. The
hief objection, from the administra- a.
on standpoint, seems to be that it is II,
OF quite partisan enough; it takes the =,
Die executive power away from the .,
overnor. The game department is :,
entirely by licenses, the vol NJ
ntary contributions of the sportsmen, ar
nd not cent of diroct taxation; and p
lie sportsmen who pay the bills claim . !
larger measure of control than they
ave ever had. 1t might happen that ny
icy would seek to override the power
the state and the rights of the inc1i- n.