Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-02-09

HEAENH--InG fe%k5t1buKE Al&4 nov
reached the point In It's career where
restraining tiHnidity Is largely gone
and there Is more Of tendency 10 be
outspoken. Members with 3 prevail
ing urge 20 express themselves are
now frequently heard. They are now
used 20 the fight. There are some
who must exercise the greatest con-
troll % refrain from getting into every
dispute. Voices Of others win seldom
be raised throughout the session.
Up to a certain stage It is entertain
ing for the observer. In the midst OF
the humdr7Im of routine, II Is divert
ing to see the bludgeoning Of rival
brains with crushing intellectual blows
or to watch lesser adversaries pelt one
another with the pebbles Of puny
thought. Now It is all In the legislative
day. The zest for contention Is in
creasingly evident. But It is merely
legislative history repeating itself.
9 9
For one who is expected TO cover the
battIefronts Of senate and house sim
UNANIMOUSLY, it is difficult to be on hand
each time a bull cores toreador, or,
as the case may be, the snorting beast
triumphs and does his tormentor TO
death. The smile Is apt enough, for
the proceedings often suggest some such
grim spot. If these stirring contests
could be staged so as not to interfere
with the show elsewhere, spectators
with a heart for such thrills would be
happier.
Recently, for instance. Representative
Stimatz was trying to keep his womans
SANDER bill from being DETAINED and
DESTROYED while at the same time the
senators across the way we're firing
barrage and counter barrage Of their
own. This sort Of thing seems to be
the rule rather than the exception.
9 g
For the average visitor, unacquainted
with the intricacies Of legislative pro-
cess, IL is hardly worth while to be
present unless there is some spectacle
OF words and maneuvers readily under
stood. Nearly every listener can ac-
commodate himself to- blunt argyll
ment. This is the kind Of legislative
drama that satifies the visitor al
though, having retreated from the
fumes Of battle, he may feel q certain
revulsion. His experience may cause
him to question the efficacy Of the
whole business of legislating. But If he
comes back at all. it is with the hope Of
being witness to another oratorical
clash.
Whatever expectations the insurance
men had of recalling SB is from the
house and killing it we're frustrated
when the effort was made. Instead Of
gaining votes, they lost votes. The bill
provides that In case Of total loss Of in
sured property, the company shall pay
the full insured value. The contest
win now center In the house. Because
the house Is as yet an unknown quaint
ity in such measures, it remains to be
seen what viii happen. If the house
should amend the bill, there may be q
drawn out affair. Many new members
of the assembly have yet to learn how
much trouble conference committees
may cause and how consistently stub |
born the houses can be on some ques-
lions.
Representative Greene of Fergus has
shot in a bunch Of the so-called crime |
commission bills. These measures were |
prepared by the state crime commission
and presented to the 1881 assembly. 1t
may be needless to remind anyone that
only few and only the least vital Of
these bills were enacted in 1881. Since
then virtually no effort has been made.
# the lawyers as a class show no more
enthusiasm about these proposals now
han they did four years ago, it Is un-
likely that the endeavorS to simplify
he judicial process in the handling of
crime win get far. In 1881 laymen OF
,he house were, in effect, the jury. 1t
vas another instance of hung jury.
@ 8
Senator Kilduff's bill calling for a
amendment whereby rs
senatorial districts would be created,
'educing the number Of senators from
Is to IS, has survived the committee
md will be available for consideration
+ the senate should wish to take it up.
The bill has been ordered printed. Fur
her action must be taken to advance
t toward passage. The reason the bill
vas held back was because only three
amendments can be sub
nitted at any one election. Many times
hree proposals for amendments have
,een introduced. The house and sem
tie win have to do much sitting out.
o o
SB AZ by Simmons Of Carbon is for
constitutional amendment that would
lear up the question pertaining to
legislators accepting state office or
tate employment during the terms for
which they have been elected. 1t is
probable that the present session viii
AXE some positive action ON the ques-
ion. A bin that would take care Of
he situation in the future but not as
nclusively as some members desire, is
n the road toward passage.
There are plenty of mutterings here
,ro and con concerning state liquor
tore inquiries. The house is trying to
et the senate to make 1t a joint in
Meanwhile, the senate,
working through a committee headed
~ f1Ifvya,. If Carrier. fc cniny ahead on