Carson City Daily Appeal

SEN. NEWLANDS
EXPRESSES
OPINION ON
RECENT SESSION

Has Much to Say Regarding
Laws Enacted and Offers Suggestions
WILL MAKE
ADDITIONAL
DONATION TO NEVADA STATE UNIVERSITY.

WASHINGTON, D. C., April 13, 1909.

Regarding the last Legislature session, Senator Newlands says:

"I have watched with great interest the proceedings of the Legislature, having received all the bills, read the public discussions, and all the recommendations of the Governor in his messages and public utterance.

I think, on the whole, the action of the Legislature will compare favorably with that of any in my experience. It has substantially complied with the party pledges by providing for the initiative and the recall, by fortifying the powers of the State Railroad Commission, by making more effective the powers of the State Engineer in matters of stream control and irrigation, by direct primary laws, by providing for mine inspection, by insuring substantially the election of United States Senators by popular vote, and by insuring against abuse of power while maintaining the efficiency of the State Police. It is also to be commended for reducing the tax rate."

Legislature Reference Bureau.

"I observe, also, that the Legislature took a step in the direction of establishing in the State Library a Legislative Reference Bureau. It requires some amplification but does very well for a start. In a number of the States, notably Wisconsin, there has been established a legislative reference bureau whose work it is to furnish members of the legislature with data for the study of public questions and to give expert aid in framing laws. The work performed by these bureaus has been so remarkable that it has attracted wide attention."

The Governor and the Bank Bill.

"I believe that great credit is due to the Governor for his constant insistence that the party pledges should be kept, and I regret that the work of the session has not met his full expectations as to the guarantee clause in the banking act, but our opponents can hardly make an issue of this, as they voted solidly against it. It is true that this clause failed by reason of the failure of several Democrats in the Senate to support it; but I do not doubt that these Democrats acted under a strong sense of responsibility and duty.

There is some doubt whether it would be practicable at this time in Nevada to carry out the Oklahoma system of guaranteeing deposits, in all its features. The sentiment of the bankers seems to be that such action would drive the State banks under national character, which would be unwise.

There is force in the objection to the wisdom of a law which will render a good bank liable for the mistakes and disobedience of law of bad banks unless the good banks can regulate and control the action of their weaker neighbors.

There will be much discussion of this question, during the next two years throughout the country and I hope that progress will be made toward the framing of a satisfactory form of guarantee which can be adopted by the Legislature at its next session, and that the Bankers' Association will co-operate with the State Banking Commission in providing for the rigid supervision of banks and in the adoption of every possible precaution for depositors."

Compensation of Legislature.

"I regret that a law was not passed increasing the compensation and diminishing the number of the members of the Legislature. A compensation of ten dollars a day for sixty days does not warrant a capable man in offering himself for the office. I believe it should be made at least a thousand dollars for each session, whether it be sixty days or less.

If at the same time the number of members in the Assembly could be reduced to the same number as the Senate, the total expenditures would not be materially increased. I hope this can be taken up at the next session."

Race Question.

"I regret that the Legislature did not pass resolutions on the race question on the lines suggested by my press dispatch of February 8th, calling for a national law restricting immigration to the white race, along by passing dignified resolutions on this line. Nevada would have led in what promises to be a great historic movement.

I have made this statement because I think it wise to discuss candidly all public questions before the people. The measure already adopted providing for a primary law, the election of United States Senators by the people, the initiative, referendum, and recall, make the people themselves the great legislative body of the State, and it is important that all public questions should be discussed before them, in order that they may act intelligently. On the whole, I think that our Democratic administration, both executive and legislative, has made quite a remarkable showing, and comparing most favorably with that of other administrations. The Democrat party has governed the State well and as long as it does so, and only so long, will it retain the support of the people."