The Paden News. (Paden, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, March 19, 1909 Page: 4 of 8
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LEGISLATIVE ACTS
RESUME OF IMPORTANT LEGIS-
LATION ENACTED
ELECTIONS BILLS COME FIRST
f>l«ced at Head of All Laws of Import-
ance to Oklahoma—Second Leg-
iilature Full of Interest to
the People
The second Oklahoma legislature
*vas full of Interest from start to fin-
ish, to every one who has the welfare
§f Oklahoma at heart. The interest
Increased as the legislature drew near
to ending, and the closing moments
■were fuU of vivid interest and tense
With the emotion which wells up
when a crisis approaches.
The second legislature was a cor-
rective as well as a constructive one.
It not only had in front of it the work
jof passing measures to meet the pres-
ent and coming demands of the coin-
jmonwealth, but left from the first leg-
islature were laws which had proved
lo be either defective, unconstitution-
al, ineffective, or in some way inade-
quate. These measures were before the
Second legislature for correction, and
they, together with the new measures,
Will give the state a set of laws better
than it has yet had.
It will be impossible to cover in its
entirely and in detail the work of the
legislature which has just adjourned.
The following synopsis of the more
Important legislation, and Its present
Status before the executive, will, we
freel certain, be of Interest to the peo-
ple of Oklahoma:
A GENERAL REVIEW
"New Jerusalem" Plan and Prohibi-
tion Legislation Left Over
In a survey of the work of the leg-
islature the bill creating a state board
of public affairs looms up well with
the score of Important measures. This
is to consist of three members and is
to look after the state business.
Appropriations
When the appropriations of the leg-
islature for the next two years are
scrutinized it will be seen that this
board holds no light position.
Appropriations as near as can be
now calculated were passed to the to-
il®! of $7,064,114..60, of which sum
$250,000 was out of rentals and old
territorial funds and will not have to
tome in. For public buildings a total
■of $1,590,000 was appropriated. All of
this the board of public affairs will
direct in the spending. Of course, the
governor may veto much of this, as it
,1s reported he does so intend. Big
'items he may blue pencil are $2,032,-
672.51 for maintenance and equipment
bf educational institutions. For main-
tenance of the state departments, offi-
cers and work, in brief expense of the
Btate government for the next two
years, $1,744,563 was appropriated,
and $542,251.51 for deftciences created
for the present year is to be added to
this. For the maintenance of insane
asjiums, or other charitable or elee-
mosynary Institutions $395,043 is ap-
propriated. The legislature cost for
its pay and expenses $151,000 and mis-
cellaneous appropriations aggregate
$68,579.58.
A total of 918 bills were introduced
in the legislature, 160 will cover the
total passed, with the exception of
Ipossibly a few local bills.
The second legislature wound up its
fruitful session with the pasage of
something more than seven million
dollars appropriation biis. It located
seventeen state insti'utions. It passed
Board of Public Affaire.
Guthrie, Okla.—Among the meas-
ures which crowded through on the
last edge was the bill creating a state
board of public affairs of three mem-
bers, one republican, to manage the
business of the state. The members
are to receive $3,000 per year.
It is rumored here that Col. Roy
Hoffman of Chandler has the best,
chances for the chairmanship of the
commission; that, Bert Chandler, re-
publican, of Vinita, is the selection
for the republican member, and that
the third will be J. J. Williams of Ho-
bart, a great friend of State Treas-
urer Jim Menafee, or Roy C. Oaks,
secretary of the state banking board.
It is understood that the republican
members of the legislature have rec-
ommended Bert Chandler for the job.
Court's Rule is For Commission.
Topeka, Kans.—The state supreme
court decided that the commission
form of government is constitutional
and that under Wichita's recent elec-
tion officers are entitled to their
places.
a good roadB law, n revenue and tax'
ation law, a series of election laws, a
banking lay, a juvenile court and child
labor laws. It passed practically ev-
ery measure which anybody wanted
except a law amending the prohibi-
tory laws of the state and a state cap-
ital location measure.
It is generally conceded that these
two propositions will be big factors in
the next legislature unless the initia-
tive saves that body the work. Camp-
bell Russell is already getting sign-
ers for his "New Jerusalem" submis-
sion, and it is understood that advo-
cates of local option and high license
are intending taking the same step at
once.
The Elections Bills
The election bills may aptly head
the list of most important measures.
There are four of these, the Taylor-
Billups general election bill, the Tay-
lor-Franklin primary bill, the Taylor
municipal election bill (signed by the
governor Saturday) and the Taylor-
Franklin-Billups bill giving the govern-
or discretionary jiower to call special
elections on all initiative and referen-
dum measures. The general election
bill provides for a "ribbon" ballot sys-
tem with the candidates bunched with
no political name or party emblem, a
general registration in all precincts
and election machinery thoroughly in
the hands of the party in power. The
primary election bill, which like the
general election measure trims up the
first laws on this subject by the first
legislature, makes less cumbersome
the first act. It also requires that no
party emblems or names be placed on
the ticket, cacli party to have Its can-
didates plainly printed on separate
colored ballots from other parties. The
municipal election bill requires pri-
maries prior to election, and provides
for holding elections every two years
from 1909.
Good Roads Law
The good roads law came out of the
legislative mill in a much different
shape than that with which it went
in. The original plan of the framers
of the bill for a system of working
great state roads was so cut down
that while a state good roads commis-
sion is authorized only convict labor
may be used on general state roads
and that subject to a certain restric-
tion from counties. The county com-
missioners are to have the power to
locate such state roads in the coun-
ties. The good roads commission is
composed of three members, one of
whom is to also officiate as state en-
gineer. The major portion of the bill
is distinctly a farmers' measure and
provides for a system of township
control of working the roads general-
ly like that in vogue in many south-
ern states. Township supervisors are
provided for, and every able bodied
citizen Is made liable for from two to
six days work per year. He has the
option of escaping road work at the
rate of $1.50 per day. A five-mill tax
may be levied locally for roads.
Banking Legislation
The second banking bill by Senator
Roddie probably ranks fourth In its
importance to the state. Its principal
features are limits on the minimum
capital at which banks may begin,
based on the population of the town
in which established. The limit is
$10,000 in towns of 500 or less; $15,-
000 between 500 and 1,500; $25,000 be-
tween 1,500 and 6,0000; $50,000 be-
tween 6,000 and 20,000; $100,000 in all
cities over 20,000. Of the guaranty
fund 75 per cent must be invested by
the Btate banking board in state bonds
or warrants, 25 per cent on hand by
the state banking board. A penalty is
provided for advertising that a bank's
deposits are guaranteed by the state.
School Land Sale
The school land sale bill by Morris,
Eggerman and Cordell In the property
involved is one of the most important
bills that will be passed by the legis-
lature in years. It provides briefly for
Governor Signu Some Bills.
Guthrie, Okla.—Governor Haskell
signed the municipal election bill, and
henceforth, until the fourth Tuesday
in April, politics will seethe and siz-
zle in practically every tow or city
In the stnte. The primaries are to be
held this year the first Tuesday In
April, and reglsfratlon three days,
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the
week previous to the first Tuesday.
The dates for registration are April
1, 2 and 3; primaries April 6, and
election April 27.
The governor also signed bills mak-
ing Coweta a county court town for
Wagoner county and Acton's meas-
ure reealing statutes relative to re-
moving obstructions from streams
with some modifications.
the sale of about 55 per cent of the
school lands of the state, something
over 1,500,000 acres, valued, it is esti-
muted, at $11,000,000. All the lands
are sold except sections 13, 16 and 36;
and 16 and 36 sections are the com-
mon school sections and 13 is the reg-
ular college lands. These are exempt-
ed from sale.
Revenue and Taxation
The general revenue and taxation
bill by Anthony, one of the measures
generally conceded prior to the legis-
lature necessary, is a homogenous
collection or codification in one syste-
matic bill of the taxation and reve-
nue laws of the state. Taxes are made
payable in one sum instead of in two
installments as under the old territo-
rial law. Taxes are due Octoer 15
and become delinquent February 1.
Fish and Game
ICf general interest Is the Keys fish
and game bill. Its principal features
are a hunter's tax on residents of
$1.25 per year, non-residents who are
citizens of other states, $15 per year;
$25 per year for foreign non-resi-
dents. A state game warden with
many deputies at his discretion Is al-
lowed to look after the enforcement
of the law. Rigid limits on amount of
game to be killed are established.
Quail, for an instance, may be shot
from December 1 to February 1, 60
days; 25 per day and 100 for the sea-
son is the limit. Only one deer may
be killed per season, and three tur-
keys. A permit must be had both
from the owner and occupant of occu-
pied or posted lands.
Child Labor Law
The Franklin child labor bill is the
most important sociological law pass-
ed at this session. It was designed
and passed with the intention of pro-
tecting child life from the dangerous
or debasing influences of various oc-
cupations, which in other states have
changed childhood from being one of
the happiest to one of the dreariest
periods of human life. The state labor
commissioner and state commissioner
of charitics and corrections are given
peculiar powers to see that the law is
enforced. No child under 14 can work
in a pool hall, factory, sweat shop or
any place injurious to health, morals.
Under 16 they are not allowed to work
around dangerous machinery. -No
child, woman or girl can work in a
coal mine. All children under 16 and
over 14 working in factories must
have schooling certificates. No girl
under 18 can sell papers.
Railroad Legislation
A bi,f of importance to Oklahoma
and which will assist materially in
coming into amicable and helpful re-
lations with the railroads wishing to
domesticate or take out state char-
ters may do so with payment of char-
ter fees on only that part of their cap-
ital invested or involved in Oklahoma.
This relieves railroads wishing to do-
mesticate of the heavy penalty of a
one per cent charter fee on their en-
tire capital stock.
Public Institutions
Public institutions located were a
state penitentiary at McAlester, a
secondary penitentiary or state re-
formatory at Granite; two normals,
one at Tahlequah and one at Durant,
a university preparatory school at
Claremore; the school for the deaf at
Sulphur; the eastern insane asylum at
Vinita; the school for the blind at Ft.
Gibson; three secondary agricultural
schools, one each in the Third, Fourth
and Fifth supreme court judicial dis-
tricts; an additional secondary agrl- '
cultural school to be located in the
'Panhandle" district, comprised of
Texas, Beaver and Cimarron counties.
Between Wynnewood and Pauls Val-
ley on a 400-acre tract was located the
state reform school for boys and girls,
and at Chickasha was located the girls
industrial school.
Gross Production Tax
A bill of peculiar importance since
it directly lowered taxes instead of
raising them was the Anthony bill
lowering th« gross production tax on
coal from two to one-half of one per
cent.
Several bills were passed creating
new Judicial districts. These were by
Cope, making the 23rd district of Ca-
nadian and Caddo counties and leav-
ing Oklahoma county as the 13th;
Price, making the 24th district of
Osage and Washington counties; Dix-
on, making the 22nd of Hughes and
Okfuskee counties; Cook, providing
for an additional judge in the Third.
Superior Courts
Another bill creating several new
judges is the Rogers superior county
court bill, making a new county court
with Jurisdiction concurrent with the
county and district courts. Among
the judicial bills may be mentioned
Graham's "code" bill, providing for a
commission of five experienced law-
yers to codify into a two-voluriie set
the statutes of Oklahoma to date.
Statue of Sequoyah
A bill peculiar Is that by Landrum
appropriating $5,000 for a statue of
Sequoyah or George Gess, the famous
Cherokee chieftain to go in the statu-
ary hall at Washington, D. C. Each
state Is allowed two statues in this
hall of fame, and the distinction nec-
essary to entrance therein is great. It
is a high tribute to the Indian tint
Oklahoma's first selection should be
an Indian chief.
TUFT'S TARIFF MESSAGE
PRESIDENT WASTES NO WORDS
IN COMMUNICATION
POINTEDLY TELLS Of NEEOEO CHANGES
Country Deamns It and No Tlm«
Should Be Lost in Completing
Consideration of and Pass-
ing New Law
General Billss
By Bryan and Harrison providing
for inspection of tax levies made for
present fiscal year, empower taxpay-
ers, county attorneys and governor to
ring suits to reduce excessive or un-
constitutional levies and postp oning
payment first half of taxes until third
Monday in April.
By Maxey providing for one trial
oi " tor recovery jf rr"' .••cperty.
Ey Charles, pe-n tt'na the- sale of
apple cid^r.
By Sorrels, for miners' liens for
wages.
By Eggerman, for appeals In misde-
meanor cases in not less than sixty
days and in criminal cases in not less
than six months.
By Landrum, increasing the maxi-
mum number of trustees permitted in
charters of religious, educational, be-
nevolent and charitable organizations
to 41.
By Cope, repealing the law permit-
ting county commissioners to employ
expert accountants to Investigate
county records.
By Cunningham, permitting domes-
tic building and loan associations to
increase capital stock.
By Sorrels, fixing time for sessions
of state mining board..
By Franklin, increasing the penal-
ties for misappropriation or misuse of
public funds and falsification of pub-
lic records.
By Boyle, requiring payment of
wages by certain corporations in cash
and fortnightly when demanded.
By Soldani, amending drains and
ditches law to permit citizens to
name engineer by petition.
By Eggerman, making $50 rewards
for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of cattle and mule
thieves.
By Ross, making criminal court of
appeals permanent and justices elec-
tive.
Would Study Bacteria.
.Norman Okla.—The first bulletin of
the state board of health has just
been issued containing a report of
the work done by Professor Louis A.
Turley, state bacteriologist, and Dr.
Edin Deliarr, state chemist. In his
work Professor Turley emphasized
the need of a bacteriological labora-
tory in connection with the work of
the heilth officers.
Foundry is Destroyed.
El Reno, Okla.—Fire has destroyed
the foundry building of the El Reno
Foundry and Machine company. Cred-
Iltable work by the fire department
saved the machine shops. Loss $3,000,
with $1,000 insurance. Work on the
new building ill begin next week.
Three Institutions Located.
Guthrie, Okla.—Among the meas-
ures finally rusher through the legis-
lature were three locating three more
public Institutions, including a sixth |
state normal at Ada; the home fori
the feeble minded at Enid; and the:
negro orphan 'home at Taft.
Convicted Physician Appeals.
Guthrie, Okla.—Convicted of unpro-
fessional practices upon the complaint
of Barbara Brown and sentenced to
twe years' Imprisonment, J. J. Chand-
ler, of Seminole county, a physician
has appealed to the criminal court
of appeals.
Next Session December 1.
Guthrie, Okla.—The next session
of the legislature will probably begin
about December 1 next. This is con-
trary to the general opinion that It
meets two years hence.
The code commission bill provides
that when the five lawyers have
finished their work of compiling and
codifying the Oklahoma statutes,
which must be by December 1, they
shall make a report of their work to
the legislature. It was generally
stated by the leaders here that this
means a special session next Decem-
ber.
PEACHES SUFFER FROM COLD
Elbertas Damaged in Northern Part of
State— Apricot Crop Short
Oklahoma City, Okla.-—According
to fruit growers Oklahoma's fruit crop
this year will be short. The crop will
at least be somewhat lighter than last
year they say. Recent cold weather
Is responsible, coming as it did after
an intermission of a number of days
of warm, spring-like days. The dam-
age was done, the fruit men say, by
the cold snap of two weeks ago. The
Elbertas are among the greatest suf-
ferers. This applies, however, to the
northern part of the state, and if, is
not expected that as much damage
was done in the southern part, where
a fair crop Is expected. Apricots are
badly damaged.
Chino to Build New Navy.
Victoria, 13, C.—Advices from Pekln
state that China is preparing to spend
$100,000,000 In Improving Its navy.
Naval boards and admirals are con-
ferring.
Washington, March 16.—In striking
contrast to the scenes of confusion,
disorder and acrimonious debate
which marked the opening day of the
house, th<* session of that body today
assumed its wonted air of dignity.
There was general good feeling
among the members, whose main top-
ic of conversation was the fight of
yesterday over the rules.
The message of President Taft,
pointing out the necessity of a revi-
sion of the tariff, was received and
met with prolonged applause from
the republicans. Some disappoint-
ment, however, was felt over the fact
I that the tariff measure was not pre-
| sented. This, it is expected, will be
done tomorrow.
Taft's message to congress fol-
lows :
"To Senate and House: 1 have con-
vened congress in this extra session
in order to enable it to give tmmedl
ate consideration to revision of the
Dlngley tariff act. Conditions affect-
ing production, manufacture and bus-
iness generally have so changed in
the last twelve years as to require
re-adjustment and revision of import
duties imposed by that act. Moro
than this, the present tariff act, with
other sources of government revenue,
does not furnish income enough to
pay authorized expenditures. By July
first, next, excess of expenses over
receipts for the current fiscal year
will equal a hundred million dollars.
"The successful party in the late
election Is pledged to a revision of the
tariff. Country and business commu-
nity especially expect it. The pros-
pect of a change in rates of import
duties always causes suspension or
halt in business because of the un-
certainty as to conditions to be made
and their effect, it is therefore, of
highest importance that a new bill
should be agreed upon and passed
with as much speed as possible con-
sistent with its due and thorough con-
sideration. For these reasons I
have deemed the -present to be an ex-
traordinary occasion within the mean-
ing of the constitution, justifying and
requiring the calling of an extra ses-
sion. In my inaugural address I stal-
ed in a summary way the principles
upon which, in my judgment, revision
of the tariff should proceed, and indi-
cated at least, a new source of reve-
nupe that might be properly resorted
to in order to avoid future deficit. Ir
is now necessary for us to repeat
what I then said.
'I venture to suggest vital business
interests of the country require that
attention of congress this session be
chiefly devoted to consideration of a
new tariff bill and that the less time
be given to other subjects of legis-
lation In this session, the better for
the country.
(Signed "WILLIAM H. TAFT."
"White House, March 16, 1909."
Taylor Gets 10 Years
Tahlequah, Okla.—Bob Taylor, who
killed James Evans because he re-
fused to take a drink with him, plead-
ed guilty in the district court here
and was sentenced to ten years. Tay-
lor killed Evans in the Elk creek
hills the day following statehood.
This was the first murder committed
after Oklahoma was admitted as a
state.
ACQUIT WICKLIFFES
Notorious Outlaws Charged With
Many Crimes Liberated
Tahlequah, Okla. —Tom and John
Wycliffe, full blood Cherokee Indiana
and alleged outlaws, who scout:d for
years in the Cherokee and Spavinaw
hills and were charged with taking
part in a pitched battle near Caney,
Kansas, March 11, 1906, when Deputy
United tSates Marshal Ike Gllstrap
was killpd, were acquitted in district
court of the charge of murder. The
defense offered no testimony. After
the state rested Its case, Judge
Pritchett instructed the jury to return
a verdict of not guilty on the ground
that the state didn't clearly identify
Tom Wycliffe as a participant in the
pitched battle in which Giistrap was
killed.
County Attorney Coppedge of Del.
aware county, asked that John Wyck
liffe be released on the same grounds
and that the cnBe against him bo diB-
missed.
The result brought a loud demon-
stration from friends of the Wyck-
liffeg who crowded the court room.
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Jones, E. F. The Paden News. (Paden, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, March 19, 1909, newspaper, March 19, 1909; Paden, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc139684/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.