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

promise were about to be patched up and
that the investigation would be granted, but
the ray of light, the bow Of promise, shone
only for an instant. The conditions of the
patched up peace were TOO exacting. and the
investigators promptly rejected them.
BOWLER COULD NOT SAVE IT.
Then came Bowler, one of their best talk
ers and a most devoted champion of the text
book BILL who endeavored to ridicule the
cry about the outraged honor and dignity of
the State, and who, In one Of his happiest
efforts, endeayored to force the consideration
of this bill. But even the persuasive Bowler.
with his witty anecdotes, failed, and as if the
fates intended another of the countless illus
tratlons of the old saw. shat whom the
gods would destroy, they first make
mad, all over-zealous champion of
the text book bill, jumped to his feet at this
critical juncture and demanded the previous
question. which was MT ordered. Every
moment it became more and more evident
that the bill could not be considered, let
alone passed, that day. But still the inexor-
able West interposed and demanded his
''pound of fesh.' But the vote which fol-
lowed his demand was at last an '.eye-open-
er. and in an instant the doughty champion
of the Merrill bill became as impressive and
gentle as if he had never sought to contra
yene the self-evident will of The House
This second manifestation Of the fe elings
of the House was so unmistakabe that after
the defeat of the second attempt to bring on
the bill for consideration, no further oppo-
sition was made to the introduction and
passage Of the resolution of Investigation.
n (I11ar aud tbo41 Of oh
duration. Mr.. Mead gave notice of debate. but
the feeling and determination of the House
were too evident to be mistaken. Mr.. Hicks
promptly moved to suspend the rules and
the result being foreseer, the objection YVES
as promptly Withdrawn. No opposition fol-
eowed the motion to make the text book bill
Inc special order for Tuesday next and thus
tnded the struggle for the time being
THE GREAT MISTAKE.
Throughout the session the feeling and ex-
element had been intense. The great mis-
take of the champions of the Merrill
bill had been their persistence in
pressing their measure at the time
when the House should have applied
itself to the task of indicating it's dignity
and self-respect. The perseverance exhibit
ed i'll this direction, had been worthy of a
better cause and on proper occasion would
doubtless have been rewarded with success.
But their very persistence turned the tables
against them, and afforded at least sufficient
ground work for the charge made by their
opponents-that the whole affair was a
put up job devised and carried out with
the view of forcing through their bills during
the morning session.
PREPARED TO EXECUTE THE BARGAIN
The refusal of Brandt to make further
disclosures his unfortunate admission that
he still intended to carry out his bargain,
and the equally unfortunate confession that
he had placed himself i'll the way of being
bribed, his failure to demand an investiga-
ton then and there-all tended to give color
to surmise, suspicion, and finally, the direct
charge that the game was simply s'dramat-
ic sensation gotten up to accomplish the
purpose in view!
WHAT MEMBERS SAY.
If the man has been bribed-if he has
been paid money, why don't he come out
and tell who bribed him-who paid him the
money! Said one. evidently, put-up lob
by the Merrill men, another member was
heard to remark. pretty thin, that said a
third. Decidedly so,'' echoed fourth. .
"Why, said the venerable Purdie, 81 should
as soon have thought of handling fire as
touching that money! 1T looks to me as
if he was paid to do this,'' said another.
"He has clearly violated his oath and ought
to be expelled; he is not fit to stay here
said still another.
The above are only a few of the remarks
that fell upon the reporters ears after the
adjournment from groups of members dis
cussing the stirring scenes of the morning.
The excitement at that time had been allayed.
butt was evidently dormant and not dead. A
general feeling of regret pervaded both sides
OF the House, which was expressed indis-
crinlinately and without reserve. Many
felt that the fair escutcheon of the State
had been furnished, and probably
as many more felt it had been
needlessly defled. The fact, too, that the
affair had gone out to the world, and was
even then being flashed over the wires to the
uttermost parts of the earth, added add
tlonal polgnancy to the sting. "Why,'' said
member. s'this shameful, disgraceful hu-
initiating affair, will be read at every break
fast table in the land tomorrow morning,
and is perhaps now being cabled across the
ocean. It is the worst blow yet struck at the
! fair name Of the State''
Such seemed to be the general sentiment
Some there We're, friends of the bill who
thought the occurrence most unfortunate to
them, as compromising the ultimate passage
Of their favorite measure. Others freely
confessed that they would have preferred that
the affair had been kept secret, even had the
crime been established beyond controversy.
Altogether the day was an eventful one
and one long to be remembered in the his
tory OF the State, in the legislative depart
ment at least. That IN the momentary
struggle excitement had not run higher, and
no more embittered feeling had been mani
tested, was certainly a matter of congratula-
ton. But even this consolation is poor
one, and no true friend Of the State and her
fair name would ever care to see the like
again.
AN INTERVIEW WITH BRANDT.
In the afternoon The GLOBE representative
called upon Mr.. Brandt with the view of as
certaining what he had to say in reference tc
the events of the morning, and also offered
If he wished It'll Ito lay it before the public te
give him an opportunity to do so. He de
clined making any further statement thar
that spread upon the journal, and found il
the afternoon report below. Subsequently
however, he wanted it distinctly understood
''that he never had any idea to accept the
money, but merely to expose the fraud and
prove that bribery was being used to defeat
the text book BILL Again be said che went
there with the intention of taking the money
to prove that money was used for improper
purposes To the reporters question, il
any one was present when the money was
paid, Mr.. Brandt answered ssno.' In reply
however, to further questioning, he stated
| nOoitivolv fhot bo would 1,o oorrobo~o4ol u.