The Delta independent., 1917-01-26
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS OF
INTEREST TO OUR PEOPLE

who had charge of the election con
test. They reported unanimously on
he result This result unseated Mr..
Winters, republican, and put in his
place Mrs. Hearth, democrat. Mr..
Winters gave very proper and inter
esting talk on leaving, expressing his
appreciation of the courtesies shown
while here and telling a fitting little
story about the boy whose teacher
was telling of man who swan across
the Tiber three times every morning
before breakfast When she had fin.
ished the small boy said, why didn't
the darn fool swim across cnce more
and get on the side his clothes were?"
Mr.. Winters idea was, of course, that
one more recount woul have put him
back in the House.
There were two bills brought in for
second reading this week. discussed in
the Committee of the Whole and re-
ported favorably for third and final
reading The first is one that inter
ests us directly 1t is entitled, "A bill
for an Act providing for the payment
of portion of the road tax to cities
and Incorporated towns for use of
streets and alleys" This bill provides
have entire charge of the distribution
of all road money collected in towns,
towns, of over 10000 inhabitants are
exempt) giving back to each town for
use of its streets and alleys only that
portion which they think just and
proper There were several amend
ments offered seeking to keep a GER
tain per cent. of the road money col
lected in the town for the benefit of
those towns in which is was collected.
Ihere were many good reasons for
such an amendment but / voted
against them thinking that it was
to the best interests of Delta County
that the County Commissioners should
have power to use the money for the
entire county We have large
stretches of roads through the county
between our towns and the towns
must do large share towards their
upkeep. The second bill seeks to
make a more severe penalty for the
stealing of fowls. This is an import
ant industry in many parts of the
state and many felt that some such
bill was necessary. The original bill
was too severe in my opinion and I
voted steadily against it, The pen
atty for stealing fowls was from one
to ten years in the penitentiary. After
time 1t was amended and | can see
no objection to the present form of
the bill. 1t now makes the penalty or
fine from $50 to 500 or imprison-
ment in the county Jail of from six
months to one year
A memorial was passed and sent to
the pesident and congress by the lower
house, asking for the establishment OF
a full tactical division of the U. S
army at Fort Logan. with proper pro
portions of cavalry, field artillery and
special troops.
There was also a memorial asking
congress to establish a munition fac
tory at Pueblo, which shall be for the
sole use of supplying ammunition fol
the U. S. army.
A bill has been presented and will
be discussed in the House in a few
days to the effect that any one whose
property is being injured by beaver
shall have the privilege of killing then
without a permit. There was also /;
bill allowing the same to be done t.
pheasants If they are injuring tn,
crops of an owner. ! think both thes,
measures are too drastic but woult
like to hear from our people.
have put in bill asking for $3.50
for state hatchery to be located IL
Delta county and known as the Cedar
edge Hatchery. Their are four othe
similar bills, one for Mesa county
one for Conejos county. one for Jacl
son county and one for Mineral count
or Archulate county. Two of these as
for $1,000 each and one for $4,000. Las
session all bills for hatcheries wer
defeated and / am not at all confiden
that they will go through this time.
Very truly yours,
ROBT. F. ROCKWELL