Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-01-19
LEGISLATIVE
NOTES

NUIEN
There is little likelihood that the
house will pass the Landon resolu-
ton which makes theoretical
charge against each member for the
cost of the bills he introduces.
Bluntly put, this is an alibi. 1t was
admitted on the floor of the senate
that the purpose of the resolution
was to permit each member when
importuned by constituent to in
troduce bill to say that the records
would show that he or she had cost
the state a certain amount in print-
ing bills. None of the members of
the legislature intends to refuse to
introduce a meritorious bill, but the
lA4andon resolution already has
rived its purpose in warning cranks
TO keep away. The Landon interpre-
tation of cranky notions does not
happen to be the same as that of the
majority in the senate. but that
makes no difference. Landon served
the legislature we'll in sending out
notice that members were tired of
introducing bills merely to see them
in jrint.
While the legislature is at it,
there is a chance to change the
| 80 Id ,pfi ns
Clarke is named after one of the
leaders of the Lewis and Clark ex-
petition, and the famous explorer
did not have a final "e'' on his name.
A typographical error made Pend
Oreille, whereas the Spanish, who
know more about the spelling of that
name, made it Pend d'Oreille and
pronounced 1t something like "Po-
duray," with an accent on the first
syllable.
n Apropos the large number Of en-
ployes at this session. some interest
ing things have happened. On the
senate side Senator e. Ben Johnson,
who possesses more than ordinary
skill in the use of sarcasm. suggest
ed that somebody be employed to
find work for the many hands to do,
and Senator w. s. Davis came for
ward with the suggestion that 1t
ought to be somebody's duty to en-
terrain the force when not hard at
work.
The rule proposed in the senate
cutting off free lance lobbyists and
information agents from peddling
Legislative bills for fat fees is like
ly to be followed in the house. The
state printer has computed the cost
of the bills. and it is probable that
plan will be worked out whereby
bills will be furnished to anybody
who will pay the cost Of printing and
postage. The effect of the rule will
be to notify corporations and others
interested in legislation that the en-
ployment of lobbyists and informa-
ton agents is wholly unnecessary.
i Also 1t will serve to remove the i'm
preston that these lobbyistsrhav
any influence with the members of
the legislature. It is the first time
such a move has been suggested and
may be taken as an illustration Of
the new spirit of the Washington
lawmakers.
| Some Of the sea lawyers about
the capitol were somewhat worried
when they discovered that the sem
ate adjourned Friday at IL O'Clock
until Monday at o'clock, thereby
violating the plain provision of the |
constitution which forbids adjourn
ments for longer periods than three
days, or 70 hours. 1t was argued
the senate passed out of existence,
and could not meet again this ses-
sion. To avoid the catastrophe the
minutes of the senate were secretly
amended, so 1t is said. to show that
the adjournment was taken at
o'clock Friday. So was the legal
anguish relieved. i.
Commenting on the contrast be-
TWEEN the present and previous ses-
sions, J. w. Gilbert, staff correspond
ent of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,i
wrote this bit of Interpretation:
The first week of the legislature has
demonstrated that 1t has an extra
ordinary desire to be at peace with
everybody and to merit the kindly
regard Of the voters. The Repub-
lican M iorifv in hnth houses Is inst