Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1917-01-19
Legislature Gets Down to
Business---Some Import
ant Bills Introduced
POLL TAX IS PROPOSED
Senator French Would Make
Primary Elections Prac-
ticall y Non-partisan

OLYMPIA, Jan. 25.-(Special.) I'm
the third week of the session the fiji
| teenth legislature is coming into its
stride, and Notwithstanding it is 80
| per cent republican, the non-partisan
policy adopted at the organization still
endures, and, barring the educational
and reapportionment scraps, there
seems an honest endeavor to play
the game fair. AS to be expected
where so many are gathered, a large
number of bills are being presented,
some wise and some decidedly other
wise, and while there may be no
split along party lines there promises
to be many splits along geographical
and occupational lines.
Such furore was created last week
by the furnishing of a card and cloak
room for the use of the wives of SEN
ators who have accompanied their hus-
bands to the Capitol, and furnished at
cost of $135, that the project was
abandoned, the furnishings returned to
the sellers and the room converted
into a senate committee room.
The public hearing on the bone dry
prohibition bill developed an uneX-
pected opposition to the bill, coming
chiefly from well known drys, among
them Sheriff Reid of Spokane.
81 am as dry as any man in this
chamber" said Mr.. Reid, "but believe
in being fair to the people. They
passed initiative No. 8 and they are
fully capable of saying if they want
this bill. l should prefer to see more
teeth put in the present law. 1t
might be we'll to lengthen the time be-
tween permits, to reduce the amount
of liquor obtainable and make the SELL
ing of a permit or it's wrongful use
serious offense."
George D. Conger of the Anti-Saloon
League said he was opposed to attach
ing an emergency clause to the bill
which would prevent the people from
referring it. He would not, he said,
deny the people the right of referen-
dunn on any measure.
A feature of the session Monday
morning was the seating of Represent
ative J. J. Cameron, of Lincoln COun-
ty, democrat, after a committee had
found his vote a tie with w. G. Dun
can, his republican opponent. The
House had authority to seat either man
but Cameron was already seated, he
having majority according to the
returns as canvassed in the county,
and Duncan declared he did not want
the seat unless he took it with clear
majority.
For Blanket Primary Ballot
Senator French, of Clarke County,
has introduced bill which amounts in
substance to non-partisan PROPOSE
ton. The bill provides that all can
didates who file shall go on the pri-
mary ballot with their party affilia-
ton stated, but with all candidates in
one column, the two candidates re-
ceiving the highest number of votes to
be nominated. The idea is to get the
peoples choice for the nomination and
the two persons receiving the highest
number of votes will be named, re-
gardless of party affiliations, or
though both be of the same party.
Poll Tax Measure.
Senator Palmer's poll tax bill is far
reaching in it's proposed effect. The
county assessor would be bonded for
$4,000 and the treasurer for $4,000
under it's terms and the assessor would
have access to all payrolls to get at the
men over 21 years of age who would be
taxable. If the tax is not paid until
April the amount due would be SO and
if late than the last Monday in August
it would jump to 81.
Teacher to Pay Own Pensions.
A proposed teachers pension bill
levies tax of per cent against all
salaries for the first 10 years period
and per cent for the second 10 years
period and 2 per cent for the third.
Retirement could take place at any
time after 1876 months of teaching on
percentage basis, taking into account
the time served. The complete teach
ing period would be 270 months, when
the full pension of $3.50 a year would
be paid.