Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-02-16

Strange and curious things happen.
House Bill No. IS was on the calendar
the other afternoon, providing that
school directors of each school district
be required to display the American
flag on holidays, and providing a fine
OF one dollar for not doing so. THE
BILL WAS VOTED DOWN. And this
ts Colorado, I'm told!!
The chief problem here Is that the
taxpayer Is trying to get out from un-
der n terrible burden; and the fellow
that has anything coming wants NIL Of
II, and II little more, especially II It be
an appropriation. The members are
between the devil and the deep sea.
and some OF them can neither run nor
swim.
One difficulty here In our work ID
campaign promises. pledges and plat
forms. Members make these obligu-
tions, and when they come here, they
are face to face with breaking their
promises, or voting against their con-
science. gullible public Is partly re-
sponslble for this. In the campaign
candidates are urged to make platform
pledges, which every honest person
knows they cannot fulfill: when they
come here, their hands are often tied.
and they cannot render the best serv-
Ice, as a result. Let our readers think
this over. We In America have long
platforms; in England they hold an
election on one issue, oftentimes.
one bill has been fnvorably acted
upon In the House. for the lnborer,
raising the compensation due him from
so To ST. per week. and the time re-
duccd from ten days To seven. One
has been acted upon fayorably for the
farmer, that which provides IA director
Of markets, with various other good
features In the law. The next two
weeks will see several fine measures
enacted into law.
The Senate Is plugging along. Re
Gently, In one forenoon. they passed
fourteen bills: pretty good for the sen.
ators-and they We're good bills. too.
The Rangers are u" more. Feb. I,
the governor discharged them on the
9Th the House passed the appropria-
tion bill to pay them.
The work of being Legislator In |
tir"somc. Many members are early nj
their desks: and. counting committee
work. are often In hard mental work |
for ten Ia twelve hours; often they
walk the floor, 20 to the lobby for "A
smoke or chat with some friend. The |
other day, II is reported. an old citizen |
from III" mountains came In. looked
around while. without saving word !
and then drnwl.d out, Hell, and they |
get seven dollars u day for this kind
of work" lie didn't know thnt same
body of legislators had saved the tax.
payers many thousands of dollars that
very day lay reduced salaries and ap-
rruprluilons Someone Is nlways
watching on the Rhine" and when
one gets tired. the other takes his
place. \ few this year remember the
words Of the French soldiers ai Yer.
dun. They shall not pass" and some
legislation IL doomed.
The House is attracting most nttcn.
fion. "" think: but we say, watch the
Senate: II PROMISES io h.. the grave.
yard of several bills. and some of them
without appropriate. memorial sery,
lees. ". fear. over there. toss gets |
''rollcd" about every day. senator To. |
hin has been the bull" in legislative
affairs this week and senator Adams. |
OF record breaking service In years, |
looks quietly On. ~ II Ia say, he care.
ful. children: don't break the china"
The Assembly has Its human side. |
Representative" Smith Of jefferson |
county has been III for few DAYS In |
q hospital: III. members appointed tho
three lady members Of the House to |
take up collection. and get him flow.
ers. And when n new baby came to
th. hom. Of one of the members, we'll, |
~. don't know whether II wns flow.
ers, or n spoon hut the bnby Ind bet. |
ter not dlsappoint the Democratic IN.
ther. Then. on Halloween night. BERT |
Lake Of Denver has invited his nssoci. |
ate. To n Halloween party. These III. |
Il" nffnlrs help to dirpci the nonot.
ony OF legislative life.
Some of tn" hill. up In the imm~.
dinic future will he: Placing fire de-.
pnrtm"nts on ri,il service. II the local |
cities want II policrncn's insurance
bill non.conpul.ory vaccination bill II
Standardization ~ the movies. railroad
bills. appropriation bills, the market.
ing and administrative code bills
On. yes. even III" chaplain gets
sro,l~d." too. and We nrc sortn glad 10
s~e so'ne one else get II. Some Of the
Democrats don't like his little verbal
bulletins that he sends up 60 the
throne of the Almighty each morning.
because they have such u strong Re.
publican flavor but RAIDER IL all right.
lie knows who needs Irnyin' for.
Some Of the members are getting
tirrd. though the session Ia hardly
half over: pot ~ with this scribe. We
are % happy ~ two doves. sittin' slide
~ ~ - q limb. We like our Job
~ llts LoAgfsllow's brook. hope the
eaolG1otuee 'uees - feesves."