Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1891 — LEGISLATURES. [ARTICLE]

LEGISLATURES.

The Republicans organized the New

Hampshire Legislature on the 7th. Officers had been stationed throughout the State House, the Governor fearing trouble. Governor Beaver, in bis annua! mes Saga to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, advocates the passage of Suck laws in.regard to the ballot as will secure to every voter freedom from dictation in casting his vote, and absolute certainty as to its being counted as cast, and expresses the opinion that there can be no danger of Sgoi ng too far in either of these directions. He calls upon the Legislature to organize a commission to supervise the part which Pennsyivania take in £he World's Fair and asks that liberal appropriations be made for the erection of suitable buildings and for stimulating in every proper v ay a complete and satisfactory exhibit of the State’s industries. The Thirty seventh General Assembly of Illinois convened in regular session a; noon on the 9th. The galleries of both, hpuses were crowded, and the greatest interest was manifested tn the outcome of the peculiar political complications. Naturally the greatest interest was centered in the House, where the Democratic majority was just sufficient to organize. The House is composed of seventy-seven Democrats and seventy-three Republicans,and three farmers responded to the roll call The House was organized by the election of Clayton E. Crafts, Democrat, for Speaker, by tho full party vote. The Senate was oalled to order by Lieutenant-governor Ray and Senator W. W. Matthews, Repub lican, was chosen president protem by a vote of 27 to 25.

The Legislature of New York met on the Bth. For the first time in many years the Democrats controlled the body. Wm. F. Sheehan was elected Speaker, receiving 66 votes, against 56 cast for Milo Acker, the Republican candidate. Mr. Sheehan briefly addressed the Assembly, after which the minor officers were elected in accordance with the program. The Governor’s message was then received and read. The Governor signified that he would not again be a candidate for Governor. In that portion of his message devoted to the interests of labor, the Governor advocates compulsory arbitration of dis- , putes between corporations and their em- ; ployes. He calls the attention of the Leg- I islalure to the fact that there is at present I no law regulating the employ ment of ! Pinkerton’s detectives during strikes, aud I suggests the advisability of framing a statute either to prohibit the employment or to defina the functions, regulate the duties and restrict the powers of such “detective organizations.” The Nebraska Legislature was In a deadlock on the 7th similar to that which prevailed in Indiana some years ago. In this case it is the Alliance against Democrats and Rephblicans. The Lieutenant-gov-ernor and Speaker both tried to preside ut the same time. The point involved is this; The Independent or Alliance party is cootesting the election of the Democratic Governor and the remaining State officers, all Republicans. They wish to prevent the announcement of the election of these officers, evidently preferring to seat the contestants directly. Lieutenant-gover-nor Micltlejohn, who is a Republican, holds that it is his duty to doclare the ol- ■ fleers having a majority on the fa.ee of tho returns; that If there is to be a contest'it must be commenced in the regular way after the announcement of election is made,. The Alliance, «ien are in a majority, and had the Speaker of the House been a stronger man they would undoubtedly have brought affairs to a crisis by a show of muscular as well as numerical strength.