Gilpin observer., 1919-04-03
STATECAPITOL
NEWS

Western Newspaper Union News Service
Senate Democrats took the first step
toward abolishing the state depart
ment Of safety, commonly known a.
the constabulary. when they passed on
second reading the DeBusk repeal bill
over the protests Of Republicans BY a
vote Of 10 to 16. The department was
created BY the Twenty-first Legisla-
turs in extraordinary session to meet
II war emergency, and its life was re-
tricted to ninety days after the con-
clusion Of peace between the United
States and the imperial government Of
Germany" Republicans called this
point to the attention Of the Demo
Gratis, pointing out that peace terms
had not yet been consummated and
calling upon them to preserve the
peace Of the commonwealth In these
trying times.
On second reading, the Senate
passed the Colgate House bill, estab-
lishing an eight-hour day for persons
employed in the state penitentiary.
According to Senator Matt N. Lines Of
Cahon City, who spoke for the bill. the
psnitentiary 10 the only state institu-
don where sight-hour working condi-
lions are not already in effect. The
shift there at the present time il
twelve hours, 1t was said.
The Riddle bill, providing for the
establishment of state detention
home for women afflicted with social
diseases passed the Senate on second
reading, after the $4,000 appropria-
tion recommended by the finance COM
mittee had been increased to $4,000
n the result Of a discussion In which
Senator Fincher and others argued
that the bill would be ineffective un-
less sufficient funds were provided to
furnish adequate detention quarters.
The House Of Representatives passed
on second reading bill introduced BY
Representative Bigelow of Denver,
which, II 1t passes the Senate and 10
signed by the governor, will revolu-
tionize the present law with respect to
marriages, and which IL characterized
by proponents of social legislation a.
one of the most progressive bills ever
presented for the consideration Of a
Colorado Legislature. The bill puts up
the bars against marriages wherein
either Of the contracting parties is
shown to be an imbecile, habitual
drunkard, criminal, or user Of narcotic
drugs, or a sufferer from transmissible
tuberculosis or social disease. 1t pro-
hibits the marriage of any white per-
son to a Mongolian or African; re-
sworn application for q marriage H.
cense, accompanied by physicians
affidavit that the contracting parties
are mentally and physically fit to en-
ter into the marital relations, and stip-
ulates that any person-minister, con-
tracing party, or marriage license
clerk included-who shall seek to OBJ
tain a license by Misrepresentation or
perform marriage when the parties
to it have not complied with the pro-
visions of the law, shall be subject to
fine Of not less than 500 and not
more than $500.
An echo of the attempt of number
Of prisoners to escape from the state
penitentiary In April, 1910, was. heard
when the Senate, on second reading,
passed two House bills making appro-
priations for the widows of two prison
guards who were shot and killed in the
affair. The bills appropriate $1,000
each for the widows of John B. Rus
sell and A. B. Emory.
On second reading the House passed
the Rhoads bill authorizing the board
of capitol managers to have plans pre-
pared for the new capitol office build
ing on the northeast corner Of COlfax
avenue and Sherman street, Denver,
and an amendment providing for a .12-
mill levy on taxable property for 1910,
1920 and 1921 to be put in the capitol
building funds for the building pur-
pose.
A bill requiring automobilists to
bring their machines to stop before
passing over railroad grade crossings
was passed by the House Of Represen-
tatives on second reading. The bill is
designed to put an end to grade cross
Ing accidents and IL being urged by
the railroads and intsrurban com.
panies.
Governor Sh0up has signed four
bills. as follows: The Hattenbach bill
providing that state, county and dis
trict institutions shall give preference
to Colorado made materials, provided
they are not OF inferior quality and not
more than s per cent higher than other
materials. A bill providing for uniform
payment Of premiums on the bonds OF
state officials. Some have been forced
to pay on their premiums, while pay
ment Of others was provided for by
law. The bill relieves all officials
from paying the premiums out Of their
own funds. The McFadsean bill