Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-18
House..


gether lovely, and ga pilgrim and stranger"
might readily have found it in his heart TO
pay the legislators hearty tribute 1or
promptness and zeal in the discharge OF tnelr
duties. Whether by chance, or III accord
ance with the eternal fitness of sub
sequent revelations, the scrlptural
selection and the prayer of the chaplain was
longer than usual, but could he have fore
seen the startling developments of half an
hour later, it is more than probable he would
have felt an irresistible inclination to have
heightened rather than curtailed his invoca-
ton for grace and mercy to his audience.
The first business dispatched was certainly
in the line Of grace and mercy, being the
passage of the appropriation bill for seed
grain to the destitute victims Of the
grasshopper raids. Then followed the Sibley
communication, and the Cox resolution, and
these out of the way, an effort was made to
take up the bone of contention of the day
previous-the textbook bill.
This had been called up, and strenuous
efforts were being made to take it up for con-
sideration, when, like thunderbolt in a
cloudless sky, Brandt, of Brown county, arose
and produced $50 bill, which he claimed
had been paid him for his vote. In an
instant dozens of members we're on their feet
and where but moment before all was quiet
and serene, was now the scene of uproar
turmoil and confusion. Mr.. Brandt was la
boring under evident excitement, and after
sending up the bill to the speaker, was I'M
derstood to say, in addition to what is re-
ported below, that in consideration of the
sum named he had pledged himself to vote
for the amendments but not for the bill,
and that he intended to carry out that pledge
in good faith, but he hoped his friends would
not follow his example, but would vote
against the amendments and for the bill.
When Mr.. Brandt had closed and taken
his scat, the scene in the House was utterly
indescribable. Members left their seats and
congregated in groups conversing in loud
tones and under evident excitement. Soon
knot had gathered around Brandt,
many urging him to tell who
had paid him the money. One mem
Der endeavored to stem the tide by
making little fun, and called for the read
ing of the blu. This the speaker acceded to,
and ordered the chief clerk Flower to read
the bill, which was done, but the laughter
created by this jeu d'esprit soon died away.
Col. Teller followed in a strong speech,
deprecating the prevailing excitement, and
in every word evidently making MI. Brandt
4olJ
Just at this juncture was commit
ted the great and perhaps irremediable
mistake of the day. TO all it was evident
that the House was laboring under intense
excitement, and blind man could have seen
that it was no time for pressing the bill OF
for serious work Of any kind. The thoughts
of members were intent on but one thing
and that was the deep shame and utter dis
grace that had befallen the body. Mr.. Hicks
declared his intention of offering
resolution for immediate investigation
but still West stood relentlessly in the way
and insisted on taking up the bill. Messrs
Morse, Robinson, McDermott and other
Joined in the appeal to Mr.. West to ALLOW
MI. Hicks motion to be put, but all in vain
Then, as was to be expected, arose to the lip
of the opposition the cry of a ''put-up job,
and an attempt to pass the bill under the ex
element created thereby. Colvill, Purdie
Teller and Muir dealt some terrible blows il
this direction, and upon closing appeal b.
Hicks to redeem the dignity and honor of tn
State, it was plain to be seen that the It'd
was beginning to turn-that the impassione'
and eloquent exhortations in behalf of
manly and prompt vindication of outrage
honor, were having their effect. West dis
claimed any disposition to shirk an 1nvest
and allow resolution therefor to be presen
ted. Standing impossible as a rock unheed
ing the stormy elements around him, he pei
sisted in calling up his bill, hoping to cor
tinue in possession of his precarious vantage
ground. At one time it looked as if CON
promise were about to be patched up an
that the investigation would be granted, BIT
the ray of light, the bow of promise, shon
only for an instant. The conditions of th
patched up peace were too exacting, and tn
investigators promptly rejected them.
BOWLER COULD NOT SAVE 1T.
Then came Bowler, one of their best tall
ers and a most devoted champion of the to,
book bill, who endeavored to ridicule IL
cry about the outraged honor and dignity
the State, and who, in one of his happie!
of this bill. But even the persuasive Bowie
IL. l.: 1~k~ Q~S1
fates intended another of the countless illu
gods would destroy, they first NAL
mad,'' an over-zealous champion
the text book bill, jumped to his feet at th
critical juncture and demanded the previo1
question, which was not ordered. Eve
moment it became more and more evide
that the bill could not be considered,
alone passed, that day. But still the inexo
able West interposed and demanded b
'pound of flesh" But the vote which fl
lowed his demand was at last an ''eye-ope
er,' and in an instant the doughty champi'
of the Merrill bill became as impressive al
gentle as if he had never sought to contl
vene the self-evident will of the House
This second manifestation of the fe elm
of the House was so unmistakable that aft
the defeat of the second attempt to bring
the bill for consideration, no further OPP
sition was made to the introduction a
passage Of the resolution of Investigate
except in one quarter, and that was of sht
duration. Mr.. Mead gave notice of debate, /
the feeling and determination of the Hot
were too evident to be mistaken. Mr.. Hic
promptly moved to suspend the rules a
the result being foreseen, the objection Y
as promptly withdrawn. No opposition
lowed the motion to make the text book