POLITICAL MISCELLANY-1891. (Also late political changes.) UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGES -William W. Morrow, of California. was December appointed in U. S. District Judge for the Northern District of California, and James H. Beatty, of Idaho, for the District of Idaho. ARKANSAS.-The Legislature passed a bill to pension disabled Confederate soldiers and their indigent widows, and build a $10,000 soldiers' home at Little Rock. An Australian ballot law was pledged. CONNECTICUT.-The two Hcuses of the Legislature failed to count the votes and declare a result as to the State officers votea for last fall. Hence the Republicans who were in office at the time of the election have held over. The. Supreme Court has been asked by Morris, Democratic candidate, "to issue process against Morgan G. Bulkeley to compel him to show to the court by what warrant he claims to have, use and enjoy the office and franchise of Governor." Gov. B.'s counsel filed a demurrer, setting forth that the General Assembly had failed to declare any one elected at the fall election, or to elect any one by joint ballot. Wherefore he lawfully remains in office until his successor shall be duly and legally chosen and qualified. DELAWARE.-The most important political bill enacted was the act to abolish the New-Castle County Levy Court and substitute five Commissioners, in addition to a county treasurer and tax receiver and a county controller. The last two officials do away with tax collectors. The Levy Court Commissioners remain in office until 1892, when the five Commissioners will be chosen at the general election. GEORGIA.-A recent act prohibits the sale of liquor within three miles of any church or school, except in incorporated cities. The House of Representatives refused, by a vote of 94 to 62. to accept for the State the Confederate Veterans' Home, erected by popular subscription amounting to $50.000. On Sept. 23 a resolution indorsing the "Ocala Platform" in its entirety was rejected in the House-yeas 63, nays 81. IDAHO.-An Australian ballot act was passed. ILLINOIS.-A severe anti-Trust law was enacted. A law was also passed conferring upon women the right of municipal suffrage on school questions and the election of school officers. KANSAS.-A resubmission bill was defeated in the House by a party vote. The Republicans and Democrats voted against resubmission; the Farmers' Alliance for it. The House passed a bill, 69 to 34, to confer on women the right to vote in all elections and to hold any office in the State. An Australian ballot act was passed. Chairman Rep. State Committee, W. J. Buchan, Kansas City; secretary, John H. Smith, Columbus. Senator P. B. Plumb (Rep.), of Kansas, died at Washington, Dec. 20, 1891. The Governor of Kansas filled the vacancy by appointment of ex-Congressman Bishop W. Perkins, on Jan. 1, 1892, until the next meeting of the Legislature elected in 1892, which will choose a successor for the fraction of the term from 1893 to 1895. KENTUCKY.-A new Constitution was adopted by a convention which sat 199 days, at a cost to the State of about $200,000. It was ratified by the people at the next election. The bill of rights provides that no grant of exclusive privileges shall be made except for public services; that no property shall be exempt from taxation, except as provided in the Constitution; that every franchise shall be subject to amendment and revocation; specifically allows the passage of a compulsory education law; revokes all lottery charters, and prohibits such privileges. Legislative sessions are limited to sixty days, and all special laws are prohibited where general laws can govern. Counties, cities and towns are to be divided into classes and governed by general laws. An official secret ballot by male citizens of the U. S. resident in the State one year, the county six months and the precinct sixty days is provided for, with provisions modelled after the Australian system to prevent bery. One election a year in one place, and no more, is provided for. Sections define the rights and privileges of corporations in general, and their limitations in their relations to the public. The issue of stock except for money or other value at the current market price is forbidden; also the giving of transportation or other passes to persons holding public office. Consolidation of transportation and telegraph companies, or pooling of profits, is forbidden. Bank offi. cers who receive money for deposit after the bank is known to be insolvent are made guilty of felony. A railroad commission, to operate under extended constitutional provisions, is established. All property, land, bank stocks and money are to be taxed alike. The number of grand jurors is changed from sixteen to twelve. A uniform system of courts is devised. LOUISIANA.-The Supreme Court, by a majority vote, held that the proposed Constitutional Amendment relating to the Lottery was legally pending. It will be submitted to popular vote at the next election, in April, 1892. (The Amendment proposes, in consideration of $31,250,000, to be paid for the term of 25 years, from Jan. 1, 1894, to authorize Jchn A. Morris, his heirs, agents or assigns, to prepare schemes of lotteries, to sell lottery tickets, and to draw and conduct lotteries in Louisiana, te be paid in one hundred equal instalments quarterly. This amount is to be applied as follows: $350.000 annually to public schools, $350,000 annually to levees, $150,000 annually to charities, $50,000 annually to pensions, $100,000 annually to New-Orleans for drainage and other sanitary purposes, $250,000 annually to the General Fund. MAINE.-A new Temperance act provides that any person knowingly bringing liquor into the State, or transporting it from place to place with intent to sell in violation of tax, shall be liable to a fine of $500 for each offence, and imprisonment for one year. An Australian ballot law apply ing to every city, town and plantation in the State was passed. MASSACHUSETTS.-By a vote of 25 to 12 the Senate voted down the bill to confer upon women the right of municipal suffrage. In the last twenty-four years propositions for conferring upon women uniestricted suffrage have been defeated eleven times, and propositions for the extension of the right to vote at municipal elections thirteen times. A new "Bar" bill was passed. On Nov. 25 Governor Russell issued a proclamation promulgating the XXXIId and XXXIIId articles of amendment of the Constitution. MICHIGAN.-In the absence of several Republican Senators, at their State Convention, the Democratic majority remaining, unseated two Senators whose seats were in contest, which gave the Democracy a clear majority. As a result, several partisan bills were passed and became laws. Among them was one to change the method of choosing Presidential electors from the vote of a majority of the State at large to the election of one elector by each of the Congressional districts into which the State is divided. MINNESOTA-An Australian Election law was passed. The Prohibitory Amendment was indefinitely postponed in the House-59 to 40. For postponement were 18 Republicans, 35 Democrats, 6 Alliance. Against postponement were 16 Republicans, 4 Democrats, 19 Alliance, 1 Prohibitionist. NEBRASKA.-The Supreme Court has decided that James E. Boyd, not being a naturalized citizen, was ineligible to the office of Governor, to which he was elected by the Democrats last November, and that John M. Thayer, his predecessor, is entitled to hold the office until a successor has been legally chosen and qualified. The case has been appealed to the U. S. Su. preme Court. NEVADA.-Chairman Rep. State Committee, E. Strother, Virginia City; secretary, T. C. Lord. Virginia City. Chairman Dem. State Committee, John H. Dennis, Virginia City; secretary, Peter J. Dunne, Virginia City. NEW-HAMPSHIRE-A Local Option License bill was defeated in the House148 to 166. a NEW-YORK.-The Senate passed joint resolution to submit the Prohibitory Amendment to a popular vote at a special election on April 13. The Assembly substituted for a special election the regular election in November. As the two houses could not agree, no provision for submission was made. A motion in the Assembly to substitute the Senate provision was defeated. Yeas, 48 (Republicans); nays, 62 (1 Republican, 61 Democrats). Some amendments were made to the Ballot Reform act. The Assembly passed, by a party vote, a new Liquor bill, but it failed of enactment. An act passed prohibiting life insurance companies from showing any discrimination against colored persons, or charging them a higher rate than that paid by others. A new act relating to promissory notes and other negotiable instruments "given for a speculative consideration for farm products," provides that when such instruments are given in purchase of farm products, at a price four times greater than the fair market value of the same, or in certain dealings in reference to such a purchase, the notes shall be marked "given for a speculative consideration." Three constitutional amendments were proposed by concurrent resolutions and will be submitted to the people if the next Legislature concur. One provides for the determination by the courts of disputed election cases; another allow's the sale of the Onondaga salt springs; a third increases the number of judges of the Court of Appeals and allows its sub-ivision into two or more quorums. NORTH CAROLINA.-The Legislature has passed a bill providing for an amendment to the constitution, by which the people of the entire State will vote for solicitors. Also, a bill providing for scientific temperance education. NORTH DAKOTA.-A bill to resubmit the Prohibitory Amendment passed the House-32 to 29, but was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 18 to 12, absent 1. OHIO.-A new law forbids minors to enter saloons. An Australian Ballot act was passed. A proposed Constitutional Amendment giving the Legislature the power to tax all franchises of companies and corporations was passed, to be submitted to popular vote in November. OREGON.-Chairman Rep. State Committee, James Lotan, Portland; secretary, F. A. Moore, St. Helens. SOUTH CAROLINA.-A bill to prohibit the manufacture and sale of spirits and intoxicating liquors, except under certain restrictions, has passed the House and is expected to pass the Senate. SOUTH DAKOTA.-A bill to provide for resubmission to popular vote of the Prohibitory Amendment passed the House-66 to 47 (absent 11). The affirmatives were Republicans 26, Independents 23. Democrats 17. The negatives were Republicans 23. Independents 24. TENNESSEE.-The Legislature refused to abolish the convict lease system. TEXAS.-A law providing for scientific temperance education was passed. (All the States but eight now have such a law.) VIRGINIA.-E. E. Meredith (Dem.)," was declared elected in December, 1891, to the House of Representatives from the VIIIth Congress District of Virginia. WASHINGTON.-Chairman Rep. State Committee, Eugene T. Wilson, Ellensburgh; secretary, Ralph K. Nichols, North Yakima. WEST VIRGINIA.-An ballot" act was passed. "Australian WISCONSIN.-The "Bennett' School law was repealed by a partisan yote. In the Senate the vote was-yeas 16, nays 14. Page. (Note.)-For late political changes and additions, see under "Political Miscellany." Actors' Fund.. British exports to United States. .95 .159 Votes on 22 Brooklyn, elections in.. 303 Business fail ires.. 151 Department of, officers. .77 Statistics of 217 Calendar, Perpetual.. 2-4 Population .132 Republican platform, 1890.. .34 State officers Alaska- ...166 Call for Republican Nat. Convention..189 Area .165 Canada, population of.. .139 State officers .166 Business failures.. .151 Alien Contract Labor Law 24 America Cup American Association, Advancement of Cardinals, American.. 200 Science 222 American Federation of Labor. American Medical Association.. 223 Vessels, inspection of.. 27 American pork in Europe.. ..33 Census statistics.. 119 Inspection of Ancient Order of Hibernians.. ..26 Centre of population. 139 .228 Chautauqua .223 Annapolis, Naval Academy at.. .88 Assemblies in United States.. .225 Appropriation bills, Legislative his- Apportionment, Congressional, 22, 157, 165 tory of 104 Appropriations for World's Fair. .188 Churches in United States.. .197 Appropriations and Estimates, Govern ment .104 Circuit Judges of United States. 79 Arbor Day .184 Circulation, Tables of.. .105 Archbishops, Roman Catholic 200 Cities, United States, Population of....138 Area of States .165 Civil Service Commissioners U. S. 77 Civil War, Pensions Act.. 31 Statistics .145 Population ..136 State Officers ..166 Coinage tables.. .111 Coins, counterfeit, dates of.. 207 Arkansas- Coins, Foreign, value of... ...116 Area .165 Elections .69, 258 Colleges and Universities... ...202 Next general election 165 Population ..135 Democratic Platform, 1891. 35 Republican platform, 1890. .69, 260 ..34 State Officers Legis'ature, Meeting of... Population Republican Platform, 1891. Columbian Exposition. .23 Commerce of the Great Lakes. Apportionment of Representatives.. .165 ..165 .136 |