The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-01-11
COMMITTEES NAMED
House and Senate Committees Named
This Week-Legislature Can
Now Start Real Work. .'
Numerous Bills Have Already Been
Observation-Disclosures Meas
ures to be Considered. =


legislature adjourned last Thursday
noon over the week end.
A bill providing for the calling of
constitutional convention to revise the
fundamental law of the state has been
introduced. There appears to be no
general demand for a constitutional
convention, and if a new constitution
were. submitted to the voters the
chances are that it would be rejected.
IF the bill passes both branches, which
is doubtful, the probabilities are that
the only result would be an additional
burden to the taxpayers.
Another important measure was in
troduced early in the session, and it
provides for the adoption of the plan
already in force in other states, of set
ting state prisoners to work on public
highways.
Ten efficiency and economy bills
were introduced last Thursday.
A department Of public domain is
proposed to take over the care and
management of all the land, timber
and mineral interests of the state,
leaving in the hands of the state audi
tor only the sale Of state lands. Other
activities to be joined in this depart.
ment are "the protection and propaga-
ton of game and fish, management
and drainage of waters, and super
vision of building and maintaining of
highways" These duties would de-
volve on several bureaus, each headed
by commissioner responsible to the
director of public domain. The recla-
nation board would be abolished, along
with the board and commissioner of
immigration, and the state auditor
would no longer be 'sland commits
sioner"
Other Offices abolished would be
those of the state forester and fores-
try board; surveyors general of logs
and lumber; some of the game and
fish department employees; drainage
commission, and the highway COM
mission. -
A salaried highway commissioner
would take over all the duties now per-
formed by the highway commission
if the program goes through.
Changes in the educational system
are also proposed and the abolition
of non-salaried boards and the COM
missions connected with state educa-
tional work is recommended, and "that
all matters relating to education and
educational institutions Except the
state university be handled by an ed
vocational commission to consist of
three MEMBERS" the chairman to
"perform all the duties now pre-
scribed by law to be performed by the
superintendent of public instruction"
This commission would be appointed
by the governor, members to serve six
six years, one to be named every two
years.
This commission should "have full
charge of all the states educational
Institutions Except the state universe
ty)," and take over the duties of the
present normal and high school boards,
library commission and directors of
the school for the deaf and blind
these offices being abolished.
A bill proposing a constitutional
amendment limiting the state senate to
SO members and the house to 100, is
also included in the program.
Declaring that the railroad and
warehouse commission is overbur-
dened with work, the report recon-
mends the inspection, weighing and
grading Of grain" by separate de-
partment, to be handled by chief
grain inspector appointed by the gov
ernor. It would vest the authority of
establishing grades in the present
grain appeal boards. The report says:
"There is considerable criticism
among the people as to the methods of
handling the grain in Minneapolis and
Duluth, and we believe that much of
this could be remedief by having the
chief Inspector appointed by the gov
Il ernor and giving the governor authori-
ty to remove him at pleasure"
Regarding the grain inspector and
n the state boards of education and
{ health, the following provision of law
is suggested: g.
every officer or member of SAID
beard, and every officer or employe
Of any institution under it's control
who, by solicitation or otherwise ex.
erts his influence, directly or indirect.
@3 ", to induce other officers or employees
Of the state, or other persons, tc
adopt his political views or, to favor
any particular person or candidate fol
Office, or to contribute funds for cam