The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-02-21
LEGISLATIVE LETTER
by Means Raw

Mcknight bill granting this in the
Senate. The measure passed thu
House before with practically no op
position.
Enemies of the measure were hop
ing that the fight against it might be
led by Representative Frank H. Far
ris of Phelps county, but instead he
voted for the bill and made strong
speech for it. "If we had been TOLD
twenty-five years ago that bill Civ,
ing women the right to vote would &c
through this house with practically nc
opposition we would have scoffed al
it, but times works great changes
and we see it in this BILL" he de-
clared.
Speaker O'Fallon talked for more
than an hour, but did not confne his
remarks to the measure, but discuss.
ed the work of the general assembly
and the policies of the Republican
party in particular. He also paiC
tribute to every leading Republican
both living and dead, and there was
quite a contrast between it and the
address of Mr.. Farris. The Demo,
sratic speaker not only mentioned
great Democrats, but told of the
great Republicans and of the wonder
full accomplishments of President
Wilson. The tribute was so wonderful
and came about so easily that num-
Der of Republicans Joined the Demo-
Gratis in demonstration before they
realized it was not politics. Some,
however, said afterwards that there
was nothing wrong in cheering for a
man like Wilson. Others said the ora
tory of Farris was too much for them.
The fight in the Senate waxed warm
for a time over an amendment by
Senator Gardner of st. Louis county,
which provided that the matter be
submitted to the people of the State
at the next general election.
Senators Mcknight and McClin-
took lead in the fight there and it
was engrossed by vote of / to u.
Attorney General Frank w. Meal
lister is busily engaged in preparing
for the argument of the fire insurance
rate increase case in the supreme
court. General McAllister and AS
sistant John 7. Gose are sparing no
energy to see that the side of the peo-
pie of the State is properly submitted.
Fire insurance companies are asking
for an increase in rates of 10 per cent
and if successful will collect more than
8 million dollars additional each year
The suit follows an application fled
for an increase which was denied the
companies by Superintendent A. l..
Harty of the insurance department.
Although there has been quite a
little in the papers to the effect that
the primary election laws may be re-
pealed there is little probability of
such action. AS a matter of fact,
there has never been serious consid-
Grafton of repeating the law, although
many favor taking the best of both
the primary and convention plans.
This was an opinion expressed by
Lieut.. Governor Crossley, despite the
headings in some newspapers which
resulted from statement issued by
him.
The House Committee on Appropri-
atoms has approved an appropriation
of 100000 for the payment of pen
sions to confederate soldiers.
The teaching of any foreign Ian
guage in the private or public schools
of the State until after the eighth
grade has been engrossed in the House
and will probably pass. Another
measure provides that no alien can
teach in the public schools of the
State.
The bill Of Senator Mayes provid-
ing for the restoration of capital pun
shment was engrossed without oppo-
sition in the Senate.
The registration of marriages, di-
vorces and adoption of children with
the State Board of Health seems prob
able. A fee of $500 will be charged
for the service.
Republican members of the legisla-
ture seem to be gnawing at each
others vitals, if reports are to be con-
Sidered. The trouble seems to be be-
tween Floor Leader Dyott and Chair
nan Becker of the clerical force COM
mittee. Friends of Becker declare
Chat the Republican caucus decided
lpon the number of clerks the House
was to have, but when the newspapers
attacked them for SO many an effort
vas started to place the burden on the
shoulders of Mr.. Becker. Friends of
Becker assert that they were not
anxious to overload the House with
clerks no more than they were to
place twenty or more negroes in the
'loak room and bill rooms at $3.50 a
lay, but that they were all arranged
or by the caucus.
A hearing was held this week to
the mortgage recording tax
dill recommended by Governor Card
Ter, and it is being freely predicted
hat the measure will be passed. I'M
Ter the proposed bill persons owning
cal estate mortgages would pay tax
If 20 cents on every 500 for a five
,ear loan. Those in charge Of the
MEASURE predict that the State would
ollect much more than under present
as practically nothing is
low collected. The following infor-
nation has been selected from vari-
JUS portions of the State to show the
benefit to be derived from the pro-
,osed legislation:
Present Proposed
County. Law. Law.