The Colorado statesman., 1923-03-03
I"u"'n'r.l I:l'"''"''",
STATE CAPITOL
NEWS LETTER
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Democrats in the State Legislature
have started their campaign to force
the Republicans to take action on the
measure introduced at the request of
Governor Sweet.
After debate lasting more than
two hours, the State House of Repre-
sentatives passed on second reading Il
measure raising the tax on gasoline
from l cent to = cents Il gallon. The
bill passed without Il dissenting vote
The electrocution bill was passed by
a unanimous vote, after IA brief eXpla-
nation. 1t is sponsored by Represen-
tatlves Linkins, Hotchkiss and Cook
who introduced it ut the request of
Warden Tom lyman of the state peni-
tentiary.
Acts permitting county commission
ers to issue refunding bonds without
u vote of the people, and granting the
Grand Army of the Republic permis
sion to erect memorial fountain on
the capitol grounds, passed by Senate
on second reading.
Another measure adopted on third
and final reading makes drunkenness
In public places, outside of the corpor-
ate limits of a town or city, misde
meanor, punishable by fine or impris-
onment, or both. Only six senators
voted against this bill.
An important measure, passed by
the House on second reading, provides
that judges of election must post the
complete returns before closing the
polls. Senator n. c. Warren of Fort
Collins is the author of the bill, which
is intended to facilitate the obtaining
of correct election returns.
After extended discussion, the
House passed on second reading Il
measure intended TO do away with the
CLOSED hospital" system. Under its
provisions hospitals that would not
open their doors to all doctors having
a license from the State Board of
Medical Examiners would not be eX-
empt from taxation.
Governor Sweet appeared before the
finance committee of the Senate and
the appropriations committee of the
House with the request that the state
prohibition enforcement department
be given more money. The depart
ment has been receiving $4,000 IA
year, and Governor Sweet asks that
this be increased to $4,000. The com
mttees did not Indicate what action
they would take on the request. a,
Senate Bill No. 206 which callediIls
medical and physical inspection of
children before allowing them to en-
gage in gainful occupations, brought
out heated debate. Senator Saunders
said that the provision that each child
who had passed the examination be
required to carry card was IAN in
suit to the boys and girls who choose
to work. and "a disgrace" Senator
Toll said that the bill had no such in
tention, and that he was ready to
listen to suggestions for amendment.
The House approved on second
reading bill creating the Grand
Junction drainage district. The bill
allows the land in the district to be
assessed for the work on the basis OF
valuation instead of acreage. The
present law allows only valuation on
acreage and as the proposed district
takes in the cities of Grand Junction
and Palisade this would not be fair
basis for assessing the cost. The pro-
posed drainage district will be ii mil
lion-dollar undertaking and will bring
under cultivation many acres of valu-
able land that is now worthless. Rep
resentative Sterling b. Lacy of Grand
Junction is the author of the bill.
BY a strict party vote the Senate
passed on final reading the House
measure appropriating $4,000 to pay
the expenses of the State Rangers
from Nov. 30 until they were dis
charged. Democrats fought the meas
ure on the ground that the bill should
specify the exact amount needed rath-
er than the general sum.
The anti-compulsory vaccination
bill, one of the most widely discussed
measures before the State Legislature,
was killed by the State House of Rep
resentatives when it came up on sec
ond reading. The vote was 81 to "a.
The bill brought forth heated argu-
ment during which the medical profess
sion was alternately criticised and
praised.
The Lambert consolidation bill, fa-
vored by the Republicans as the prop
er method to reduce the expenses of
state government and abolish boards,
is being redrafted by Il committee
composed of five members of the
House of Representatives. When re-
drafted the measure will be much
more complete than the original bill
and its provisions will be much more
satisfactory, according to members
who are working on the matter
General opposition to House bill No
100, which passed the State House of
Representatives on second reading,
-