Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-01-05


OF the state are vested in the justices
OF the peace, the county. district, and
supreme courts, and such other courts
as may be provided by law" which are
the police courts. and the juvenile
courts. The third department is the
Executive, and consists of the Gov
ernor the Lieutenant Governor. Secre-
tary OF State, State Treasurer State
Auditor, Attorney General. and the Su-
perintendent OF Public Instruction. All
Of these persons are elected for two
year term.
The Governor Is the most powerful
OF all state officials, since the supreme
authority of the stat. is vested in him.
In his oath. he : charged to take care
that the laws be- faithfully executed"
He Is commandgr-in-Ctlief of the State
Militia, makes many appointments, may
remove officials for cause. exercises
the pardoning power, offer rewards for
the capture OF criminals, and has the
veto power. He must address the As
sembly on the condition of the com
monwealth, and recommend iesisia-
ton
But this series Of articles will deal
especially with the legislative branch
OF our government. and t" that we will
give attention.
The House OF Representatives has Z
membership of sixty-nve. apportioned
among the various counties Of the
state; from Its memberships. on con
vening, a presiding officer is chosen,
known as the Speaker and who has a
vote on all matters, the same Hs other
members on the floor In the Senate
the Lieutenant Governor presides
The duty Of the General Assembly
is To- enact laws for the good of the
people. though all revenue bills must
originate in the House Laws on tax
es, control Of corporations and those
relating to public health anC safety.
civ" an idea of the work nf the As
scmhly. All laws enacted must be In
harmony with the national and state
constitutions: NO law relating To "A lo-
cal, or special. ease muy be enacted,
SINE, In such eases. the principles Of
general law are supposed to apply.
In these articles the terms "blll' and
'luw" viii be- used "blll" is the form
OF u proposed law. presented to the
Assembly: after II Is enacted, IL be-
COMES law. and remains 80 until re-
p.ulcd, amended, DT declared uncon-
stitutiunaI
The restrictions on passing bills are
Hs follows: Eills To- become laws.
must be Introduced the flrSt fifteen
days of the session, except the npprp-
priution bill must relate to one topic
only and that must he stated In IN.
title; must bee then referred to the
proper committee, returned ther-fron.
and thcn printed Tor the use of IN.
members must be read, on different
days, in each house. and q majority
vote II necessary To their passage.
The hill must be signed by IN. presid-
Ing officer In .lcli house. In the pres
enc. ~ the members
II the Governor yetoes bill. II must
b. returned To the House In which II
originated. reconsidrrri. and IL Il Is
passed again 10y twothirds vote of
IN. House wherein II Ori slnated. IL Is
sent To- the other body II II there re-
selves like majority. 1t becomes .
law without the Governors signature.
In this Introductory article. ". have
dealt with matters of ,,yil government.
largely; before our next appears. tn.
Legislature will be getting down TO
business, and ". viii have something
Interesting for our readers: and to all.
we extend nm Invitation to sit under
our study lamp, and watch the build,
Ing Of Greater Colorado. In the
shadow Of who's" massive mountains.
fcrtil. prulries, and wondrous sunsets,
II Is n pleasure to live.