Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-17

And Makes Sensation
House..


When the House met yesterday morning
at 8 clock, all was calm, placid and alto
gether lovely, and ''a pilgrim and stranger
might readily have found it IN his heart to
pay the legislators q hearty tribute for
promptness and zeal in the discharge Of their
duties. Whether by chance, or in 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 lie 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 1t up for con-
sderation, when, like a thunderbolt in a
cloudless sky Brandt, of Brown county, arose
and produced a $50 bill, which he claimed
had been paid him for his vote. In an
instant dozens OF members were 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 seat, the scene in the House was utterly
indescribable. Members left their seats and
congregated in groups conyersing 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 bill. 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 Gesprai soon died away.
NJ Fa11 c+ror
deprecating the prevailing excitement, and
in every word evidently making Mr.. Brandt
feel more and more uncomfortable.
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 a 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 6
resolution for Immediate investigation
but still West stood relentlessly in the way
and insisted on taking up the bill. Messrs
Morse, Robinson, McDermott and Others
joined in the appeal to Mr.. West to ALLOW
Mr.. Hicks motion to be put, but all in vai1
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
citement created thereby. Colvill, Purdie
Teller and Muir dealt some terrible blows il
this direction, and upon closing appeal b,
Hicks to redee NJ the dignity and honor of th,
State, it was plain to be seen that the It'd,
was beginning toturn-that the impassionec
and eloquent Sexhortations in behalf of
manly and prompt vindication of outraged
honor, were having their effect. West dis
claimed any disposition to shirk an 1nvesti
CATION, but still refused to get out of the way
and allow resolution therefor to be presen.
ted. Standing impossible as rock, unheed.
ing the stormy elements around him, he per-
sisted in calling up his bill, hoping to con
tinue in possession of his precarious vantage
ground. At one time it looked as if a com