Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-02-16

J Happenings at Montono's
] Assembly of Legislature


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vorabIe mood. Foes Of a measure worn
effectively when they throw the mates
into a pack Of wolves.
@ g
There is stiIl much need for a better
understanding Of parliamentary Law
and the rules Of the assembly. Nearly
daily, questions are arising that should
not be difficult TO any member but
which are still puzzling. Some new
members and some old one are really
trying 10 learn the essentials Of pro-
cedure. Others appear little concerned.
9 g
The measure by Representative Stew
ems Of Cascade county calling for a
gross sales tax brings back question
that received much attention at the
special session last winter. At that
time there was dominant opposition TO
q sales tax. A hard battle was made for
the bill but It did not even survive the
house, where it originated.
The Stevens bill would levy 2 percent
gross and make It a replacement for
property taxes. 1t is becoming more
and more apparent that the public
is getting tired of new taxes unless
there Is a positive guarantee that these
levies will actually, and not merely
theoretically, replace property taxes.
o O
In a report on the question Of legis-
lators taking Jobs under the state dur
ing terms for which they were elected,
the house judiciary committee really
settled nothing except that there still
is much confusion, supreme court
opinions Notwithstanding More legisla-
ton than is now pending win probably
be needed before the matter is settled
to the understanding and where public
policy win be clearly established.
The committee found there are stiIl
many fields Of employment on the state
payroll which members Of the assembly
may enter without violation Of the con-
stitution. Fowler Of Yellowstone asked
for the committee report.
A few days ago Boone Of Powell,
chairman of the judiciary committee,
told the house the committee should
not be expected to be legal adviser to
the house. He suggested that the house
law clerk or the attorney generals Of
flee should give this advice.
Several times the committee has been
asked to clear legal points. One oc-
casion was when the original Haight
motion for the investigation Of Tom
Carey, chairman of the railroad and
public service commission was intro
duced. Perhaps the laymen OF the house
assume that because there are lawyers
on the judiciary committee, that group
should know all that Is practically
necessary to know about the constitu
ton and laws.
Bitter Root apples were passed
around In the house the other morn
ing. It was soon obvious that If 1t is
true that an apple day keeps the
doctor away, no medical summons
would be required that day. But that
afternoon there was a heated debate
on chiropractors versus doctors.
One afternoon several sessions ago
there was also an apple eating bee In
the house. Some playful member threw
a sphere Of this fruit toward the ros-
trum. The apple crashed against the
Russell painting. Fortunately, no dam
age was done.
The maneuver in the house whereby |
SB was taken from the committee
on state boards and officers and placed
on general orders surprised its propo-
nents through its easy success. What
was expected to provoke fight did
not even produce discussion. Melten's
motion was adopted by heavy margin.
SB is intended to prevent legisla-
tors from taking state offices Of en-
ployment during the terms for which
they were elected. After considerable
controversy and kicking the bill around,
the measure passed the senate. In the
house the committee kept it longer
than the allotted seven days. There was
suspicion that the committee intended
10 keep the bill off the floor as long
as possible. In such circumstances one
thing to do is to get the bin away
from the committee.
The process whereby a committee is
from further consideration
Of bill and the proposal is advanced
Is called blasting or dynamiting. Or
5inarily it is difficult to accomplish.
8 8
There is still doubt what the form
Of the state highway patrol win be.
At the moment chief interest centers
In the house committee on highways A
is considering the ques-
lion. There is talk Of bin under whose
terms a highway patrol commission
would be set up, consisting Of the
governor, attorney general and register
Of motor vehicles.
Another bin would put the work un-
der the jurisdiction and administration
Of the maintenance department Of the
state highway commission. Stiu an
other bin provides for body compris-
Ing the chairman Of the state highway
register Of motor vehicles