Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-03-20

$4,OOO,OOO.OO
FOURTEENTH LEGISLATURE is
MOST EXTRAVAGANT OF
OF ANY IN HISTORY.
LOCAL MEN HAVE MADE GOOD
State Division Failed By a Narrow
Margin.

Senator w. S. Walker and Repre-
sentative A. J. Kent returned home
Wednesday after having spent over
two months at Boise attending to
legislative duties.
Both the members of the legisla-
ture from Boundary county worked
hard for the interests of the county,
Northern Idaho and the state at
large and from a general perusal of
the legislation put forward and
passed by the 18th Legislature it is
very evident that Messrs. Welker
and Kent succeeded in having passed
the measures for which they were
sponsors. They deserve all the more
credit when it is considered that the
18th legislature was controlled by
democrats who were in direct con-
troll of Governor Alexander.
1t is generally conceded over the
state that the 18th Legislature spent
more money and accomplished less
than any other in the history of the
state. In last falls campaign Cover
nor Alexander pleaded for a "demo-
cratic" legislature with which he
might work to pass laws needed and
wanted in Idaho. When the votes
were counted it was found that the
next Idaho legislature was in control
of the democrats. Then the leading
democrats began to talk about how
they would hold the session down to
30 days. The result was a 63 day
session and the most important meas
ure rushed through in the closing
hours.
The workinpmen's compensation
act which was passed and which the
governor signed last week is prac-
tically the same measure which was
introduced in the legislature two
years ago by Representative Connor
nor Alexander vetoed. Only a few
minor changes were made, the princi-
pal one being the casualty clause.
According to reliable information
coming from Boise Governor Alexan-
der worked hand and hand with the
Legislature. All of the important
committees were composed of a ma.
jority of democrats. The democrats
and the chief executive or his repre-
sentatives held frequent caucuses anC
| it was noticeable that the morning
following such caucuses the demo.
Gratis voted as a unit. Nearly all Of
the appropriation measures were
sponsored by the democrats and wher
the session closed the appropriation.
amounted to around the $4,000, 900
mark. This in spite of the fact that
the majority of the legislature wer,
composed of the democrats who were
elected on promises of economy anC
who were under the control and il
connivance with the man who a few
years ago promised to save Idah,
two million dollars-a promise which
never was fulfilled.
The nearly successful effort of tn,
northern legislators to secure tn,
passage of the memorial calling TO
the division of the state of Idah,
was largely responsible for the sue
Guess of many bills favoring north
ern Idaho. 1t is claimed that tn
measure was defeated by the Jerom
Day interests and that the onl,
northern senator's to vote against j
were Senator Stephenson. editor o
the democratic organ of Shoshon
county, owned by the Day interests
and Senator Jackson, of Bonner coun
ty, also a democrat. whose only at
tempt at the securing of beneficial
Legislation was a bill to prevent tn
sale or possession of cigarettes.
Senator Walkers record in tn
Legislature is one of which he ma
be proud. The positions he took j
regard to the various matters o
Legislation showed conservativeness
He was successful in securing tn
. passage of three measures which,
is hoped, will aid greatly in protect
. ing the interests of the people G
North Idaho.