The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1917-01-12
STATE LAW MAKERS
DOWN TO BUSINESS

Helena, Mont, Jan. 11.-The middle
midnight an appetising lunch was
of the second week finds the Fiji
teenth Legislative assembly organized
eady for businesswith three impor-
tant facts staring the members in the
face--they must economize, they must
make the state government more et-
ticient and they must enact more pro-
eressive legislation than ever before
passed a single session of the state
legislature. To do this is the pro-
gram adopted by the Republican joint
caucus and with the intention of full
filing the party's duty to the state
members have given notice OF a vast
number of important measures to be
included.
I'm the senate, owing to the over
lures made to the Democrats by the
Republican majority, partisan lines
will be forgotten and all will work
together for the best interests of the
state, if the republican program is
carried out as outlined in a speech by
Senator Edwards on the opening day.
The decision of the caucus to take
such action was followed a few days
the governor to cooperate in the en-
actment of legislation needed in elm
mating excess officials and bureaus
and in consolidating others, as sug
fn1 IN As
of the caucus, a letter was sent to
his eXcellency asking him to point
out the specific places in which re-
trenchment may be made effectively.
awaits his response tc this note.
Should he not answer in due time it
is probable that the Republican joint
caucus will lay out plan of admin
istrative reform.
The consistency of the Republicans
in their demand for reform was
shown when Senator Brewer Of Mis-
soula county introduced a nill pro-
1nent of weights and measures. do
ng away with special deputies and
making the auditors in larger coun-
ties and the clerks in smaller coun-
ties do the work. A similar bill was
defeated during the last session
through the influence of the state ad-
,ninistratiou, the deputies having all
been of the same political faith. The
h<r &c cfh hc
DEPUTIES are all republicans, named
by the new secretary of state. So to
show their consistency the republi-
cans started at home in thelt re-
trenchment plans.
That the members of the present
legislature are here for business and
not for play is shown by the fact that
in the senate the Republican commit
tee on employees has selected all en-
ooyees from the standpoin- OF compe-
tency and as a result have been able
to keep down to the minimum the
number of clerks and other attaches
hired, which is far below the num.
ber employed two years ago. In the
house there has been scrap fol
nearly one week over tho matter o
employees. Republican Floor Leader
Ronald Higgins making strenuous
effort to keep Off useless employees
The result has been a curtailmen
that has saved the state considerable
and resulted in the employment O
more efficient help. In the senate
mp until Wednesday morning there
had been eleven bills introduced. Tt
Senator a. J. Brewer of Missoul;
county belongs tho distinction of hav
ing in'rcduced the first three bills
No. | provides for a maximum rate o
interest of 10 per cent. No. ? is de
signed to correct the LOBBY evil
Which in former sessions has greatly
hindered the work of the legislators
No. 3 proposed the change mentone,
in the weights andneasuresiaw.
in the weights and measures law.
Senator Edwards has given motto
of a lobby act that has for it's pur
pose eliminating the lobby evil an
he has also introduced a bill provid
ing that witnesses appearing befor
legislative committees shall take al
oath. Another important measure in
troduced by the senator from Rosebu
county provides for the establishment
OF public markets in the county seat
OF the various agricultural countie:
Senator Amin has introduced a bill
providing for the registration of nul
ses and the protection of the sick.
Senator McCone has introduced
bill making the state tax on auto
mobiles 81 per annum and providin
That one-half Of the money collecte