The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-01-24
STATE CAPITOL
NEWS
WOULD CHANGE CONSTITUTION
TO BENEFIT STATE
Freak Measures Only Get A. Far ~
the Pigeonhole.

Denver-Legislators will have an
opportunity to pass upon the feaei-
oility of calling a constitutional con-
rention to help put the affairs OF the
commonwealth on a business basis
This development came when It was
learned that for several days num-
Der of legislators have been working
IN a concurrent resolution which is to
De presented this week.
The movement is said to include &C.
ton that will bring the Republicans
and Democrats to common under
standing in the matter, one reason for
which is the flood of constitutional
amendments proposed by bills now
pending in both houses.
If adopted, the matter will go to
vote of the people at the 1920 cleo
ton. The plans for the convention
ture.
Although the proposition of calling
a convention at which the constitu-
ton will be revised and practically
made over from start to finish is not
new one, the need for it is be-
lieved to have greater following
among legislators than ordinarily.
Many of the reconstruction matters
proposed by the administration are
contingent on whether they can in the
last analysis circumvent the conflict
ing and contradictory provisions Of
patched constitution.
An example of this is the irriga-
ton systems and the hope for devel-
opment Of Colorado lands. lnforma..
ton has come to the committees OF
agriculture in the House and the Sem
ate that of 100000 acres under irri-
cation systems in the state only 246,-
900 acres are considered as bringing
the results promised, while $4,000
acres are landmarks Of the fake pro-
moter and the balance, 1900, 900
acres, find place in the doubtful pre-
motion column.
In an effort to check the creation
of new bureaus, boards and commits
sions, the House of Representative
yesterday appointed a committee on
commissions, to which will be sub
mitted all bills for new boards. The
motion followed Republican caucus
and was made by Representative L.
E. Girard, Republican floor leader Of
the House. The committee viii con-
sist Of Speaker Allyn Cole and Repre-
sentatives Girard, Stephenson, Craig
and Best. The committee will endea-
vor to amend the bills in such way
as to consolidate boards wherever pos
sible, and will give the whole question
thorough investigation before any
action is taken.
In committee Of the whole the
House began the consideration of
few of the bills submitted. Without
dissenting vote . bill for the repeal
Of the Sunday closing law was passed
on second reading. The act forbids
theatrical and picture shows, games
of any kind and other amusements,
from being held on Sunday. Repre-
troduced the bill to abolish the Sunday
closing act, say it will not affect any
small town or county which wishes
to pass an ordinance closing theaters
within its borders. But as the bill is
ignored by large cities, they contend
that the only reasonable thing 40
is to repeal it, rather than to continue
in the violation Of the law.
With a burst of enthusiasm, tho
House adopted on second reading =
bill by Hugh F. Steel of Denver, max
ing November II public holiday to
be known as Liberty Day." to COM
memorate the defeat Of the German
autocracy by the free people of the
world. In case November II falls ON
Sunday, the holiday will be the pre-
ceding day.
The House rule against lobbyists
was strictly enforced yesterday for
the first time during the session. The
rule provides that only members and
employees OF the House, state officers,
members Of the Senate and accredited
representatives Of the press shall be
admitted to the floor Of the House.
Memorials sent from the House
calling upon Congress to speedily en-
act Secretary Lanes 500, 900 900 re-
clamation program and to authorize
drainage enterprises in the San Luis
Valley were referred to the commit
tee GA State Affairs and Lands, 1T the
request Of senators who proposed mod
lhcatlon in certain particulars.
a House resolution inviting the Wy
oming state officials and Legislature
TO attend the Western Stock Show
and Midwinter Fair in Denver wss
adopted by unanimous consent,
The Senate accepted an invitation
from I: 7. Pryor, president Of the Ma
tional Livestock Association, inviting
the members to attend q meeting Of
that organization in the Broadway
theater, at which addresses will Be
delivered by David Houston, secretary
OF the Department Of Agriculture e
President Wilson's cabinet
Oid men and women, who, because
OF their years are subject to fits Of
mental alteration but who are NOT in
sane, are daily being sent to the asy-
ium at Pueblo, according to Senator
A. l. Pufer Of Colorado Springs.
The Legislature in 1917 changed the
name Of the asylum to the Colorado
State Hospital, and since then, ac-
cording to the senator, many persons
who should not be there are forced
TO spend their last days under most
trying conditions.