Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-21

Veiop tne case as TO enable members 10 vote
understandingly on the adoption rejection
of the report of the committee.
Soon after the reference the chairman OF the
committee introduced resolution asking For
an additional clerk, and the House granted him
power to employ short hand reporter at per
diem not to exceed ten dollars per day, and
this was done for the express purpose of having
the evidence taken in full and have it printed
and copy given to each member SO that every
one would understand the case and be enabled
to decide in accordance with the evil
dence. Now the chairman of the COM
mittee comes in with the argument that
the report Of all the evidence would make
large volume, and it would take too long to
have it transcribed and printed and it would cost
the State large amount of money. This is
specious argument! Talk of money when the
character and reputation of high judicial
officer is at stake! Didn't the men from Aus
tin, Mower c.unty, know when they trumped
up these charges against Judge Page, and en-
glneered themselves. that such proceedings
would cost the State thousands of dollars?
And is it not they alone who have put up the
job on him and brought this expense on the
State? Did they not know, that the history of
impeachment cases from Warren Hastings
down to the present time, showed that it was
easier to trump up charges than to prove
them? and that not one in dozen
has been success. We are not
bound by any report, or rather the opinion. of
any committee of this House, as is often evil
denced in the case of bills, when we frequently
set their reports and opinions aside and act on
our own judgment. In this case the evidence is
the report Of the committee and that is precise
ly what they were required to report to this body
The lowest criminal is entitled to fair hear
! ing, and is never condemned till he has been
heard in his own defense. The jury is protec-
| ted from outside influence and interference,
| and even forbidden to converse among them
selves on the case, while we, in this most inn
| portant case are forbidden to post ourselves in
relation to the subject matter in controversy,
while a lobby from Mower county have been in
Sers o{ this F0n Hous sm0n trying she to
create prejudice against the Judge
of the tenth judicial district
! of the State of Minnesota.
I move the adoption of the resolution give us
! we can make up our minds on this matter,
fairly, and impartially, and cast our votes on
the adoption of the report with full and COM
! plete understanding of the subject matter en-
braced therein.
MIR. Hicks objected to the printing of such a
mass of testimony much of which was wholly
irrelevant, and upon which the conclusion of
the committee was wholly i'll favor Of Judge
| Page. There was at least no necessity fol-
| printing that portion of the evidence. He
| then went on to speak of the bulk of the testi-
mony and Of the length of time it would con-
/
Mr.. Campbell sent up the stenographic notes
| of the reporter containing the testimony taken
| before the committee. He said, on many OF
the points, the committee found no inculpatine
evidence whatever. against Judge Page, and
there was no reason why the House should de.
such a mass Of irrelevant testimony. Upon
the material points upon which the committee
have expressed opinions, the clerk could read
the testimony before the House, and thus the
same purpose would be answered, as II the evi
dence were printed.
AIr..Ladd said substantially that the mass OF
testimony would be much less than stated by
the gentleman (Mr. CampbelD if written out il
narrative FORM
MIR. Campbell said the stenographer had in
formed him that by reading ten hours day
the entire mass of testimony could be read II
five days, ard that with all the aid he coulo
get, it would take ten days to write out the
notes.
Mr.. Purdie insisted upon the adoption of his
resolution. He wanted to condemn no MAI
until he heard the evidence.
Mr.. Hicks gave notice OF debate upon MIR.
Purdie's resolution, when Mr. Purdie moved tt
suspend the rules, but subsequently the notice
of debate Withdrawn.
Mr.. Mead said the duties of the committee
had been those of grand jury, and that they
had allowed Judge Page greater privileges
than had ever been granted in similar cases.
The law of England and thi'
country was all against the
precedent established by the committee. Their
business was simply to inquire whether Judge
Pages official conduct should be investigated
favor of investigation had been laid before The
House, and he thought that was sufficient fol
all the purposes of the case
Mr.. West said Purdie was mistaken, and thel
gave history of the effort which had beer
made in the House to secure the printing of tn,
| tocf In no
now go into such needless expense.
Mr.. Campbell thought any member could gel
all the information he desired by hearing thu
stenographer read any portion Of his notes de
sired. This was the best way to manage tn,
matter.
Mr.. Purdie's motion was then put and declar
ed lost, without division.
SAVINGS BANKS.
The special order, Mr.. Morse's bill relating t,
the organization of savings banks, was thcl
taken up and occupied the attention of TIN
House up to nearly l o'clock. when recess
was taken to 80 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The text book bill being the special order o
the day, was postponed till $50 tomorrow
(Thursday) afternoon.
On motion of Mr.. Robinson the rules wer
suspended, and the Senate bill relating t,
school district in st. Charles, Winonoa ounty
was taken up and passed.
Consideration was then resumed of the saving
bank bill, when Col. Colville moved the adop
tion of the amendment which he had offered il
the morning, which was lost. Various amend
| ments we're offered and voted down, whe1
after nearly two hours squabble an amend
ment was tackled on, exempting the counties o.
Goodhue and Winona, whereupon Mr.. Mors,
stated he and the friends Of the bill had lost al
interest therein, and subsequently. upon mo
ton of Mr.. Colvill the whole matter was in
RI off, fo1 ,oI
On motion of Mr.. Lewis the rules were sus
pended and the bill relating to the st. Pau
and Hastings road was taken up and passed.
BILLS INTRODUCED
| By Mr.. West, J. P.-Amending the laws re
lating to game.
By Mr.. Dresbach, G. B-Proposing al
amendment to the constitution SO as to allow
women to vote on questions relating to the
liquor traffic.
By Mr.. McDermott Amending the laws o1
1876 relating to liens for labor upon logs.
By Mr.. MISUNDERSTANDING ferry or
Root river, in Houston county.
By air. Burnap-Extending the time fol
| payment to the State for lands sold prior tc
l877.
By Regulating the fees of the clerk OF
the district court for the county of Olmsted.
By Mr.. Bishop-A ppropriating the sum OF
$418 to the education of Oscar U. Suborn.
By Mr.. Brown-Amending the laws relating
to guardians and wards.
] By Mr.. -NIemorializing Congress in
favor of allowing the State authorities to select
! other lands as an equivalent for swamp and
salt lands upon which settlers have filed
claims and to which the State has relinquished
her title. Passed under suspension of the
ues.
By Mr.. Huntley- Relating to the employ
ment of stenoglaphers in the districts.
By Mr.. Edson-Authorizing the attorney
general to pay certain moneys to the county
! treasurer of Mcleod county.
i Al1,d