Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-30
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

SENATE, Jan. 20.-A very brief session was
held to-day, the only item of general import
ance being the introduction of a bill proposing
an amendment to the constitution preventing
cities, counties and towns from giving aid to
railroads to an amount exceeding S per cent.
of assessed valuation.
House, Jan. 20.-Not in session.
SENATE, Jan. 21.-A lively littlo personal
affair occurred, owing to petition from r. J.
Baldwin, of Minneapolis, rejecting on Senator
Eugene Wilson. The cause is a suit brought
by Wilson against Baldwin in connection with
the State National bank. Wilson made
caustic reply. A long debate ensued
on printing the Governors message
in various languages, which resulted in
deciding not to print it at all. supplement
airy report of the Public Examiner, rectifying
some errors in the previous examination of the
Insane Asylum accounts was submitted by the
Governor and ordered printed. A bill was re-
ported fixing the legal rate of interest at per
cent. and forbidding taking over 10 per cent.
HOUSE, Jan. 2l.-A large portion of the ses-
sion was devoted to discussing the question of
printing the Governors message and resolu-
ton to print was voted down. No bills except
those of purely local character were intro
duced.
| instructing the judiciary committee to cou-
| s1der the expediency of abolishing the grand
| jury system, and also u concurrent resolution
calling upon the auditor for a detailed state
ment of salaries paid to State officers. Joint
resolutions were passed memorializing Con-
gress to appropriate money for the improve
ment of navigation on the st. Croix river, be-
tween Saltwater and Taylors Falls, and to
make MOorhead a port of entry. Bills were
| introduced to leaglize public roads in Grant
county; amending an act authorizing Goodhue.
| Rice, Faribault, and Blue Earth counties to aid
| IN of
and the clerk of the supreme court, giving
| Judges So, 500, and the clerk 81, 200
per annum; relating to the audit
ing of accounts of deceased persons;
amending the general statutes relating to the
sale of real estate by executors, administra-
tors and guardians. Bills amending the gen.
eral laws of 1878 relating to relief of the poor,
relating to the collection of taxes, and relating
| to public schools were introduced. Bills were
introduced and passed under suspended rules to
change the name of Ridgeville in Swift county,
to that of Para; and to change the boundaries
of independent school district No. 20, in Dodge
county. In committee of the whole the Senate
recommended the passage of bills relating to
coroners; relating to appeals in justices courts;
relating to replies in civil actions, and to the
sale of real estate by guardians. The resolu-
tinns relative to an investigation of the State
prison were called up, but again went over
pending joint action of the House.
House, Jan. 22.-The judiciary comm ittee
recommended the indefinite postponement of
the bill for the protection of livery stable keep
ers. A good deal of time was spent in debating
the question of allowing the committee on pub
lie accounts and expenditures clerk, and also
whether there should be a janitor allowed for
the committee rooms. The only bill of public
interest considered was one to prevent fraud
by confessing Judgment in favor of preferred
creditors. The bill was recommended to the
judiciary committee.
SENATE, Jan. 2S.-Bills were introduced
amending the statutes relative to condemning
property by railroad companies; to fix the
salaries of State officers; to create special
school district No. /, in Sherburne county; to
repeal chapter Al, laws of 1876, relative to dis
trict court trials; providing for organization of
savings banks and security of depositors; to
, appropriate $40O for bridge in Meeker coun-
: ty; for the reorganization of the insane
/ hospitals and their governments, and suspend
ing provisions of the tax laws for the benefit of
grasshopper sufferers. Bills were passed to
amend the statutes relating to replies in civil
: actions; amending the statutes relating to the
sale of real estate by guardians; amending the
statutes relative to coroners, and relating to
appeals from justices of the peace. The report
of the State board of immigration was sub
mitted by the Governor. The House Joint res
olutions relating to new State prison, and au-
thorizing an investigation of the charges
against the officers of the present State prison,
/,
HOUSE, Jan. 23.-This was field day in the
House so far as work was concerned. 1t was
the first real working day of the session.
Among the notable portion of the proceedings
was the presentation of a monster temper
ance petition asking q prohibitory law.
1t was signed by residents of twenty-five coun-
ties and had nearly 10000 names. Twenty-Five
new bills were introduced, chiefly local in their
nature. Those of general character referred TO
grading wheat; buying supplies for State in
stitutions; amending the law abating taxes;
prohibiting the sale of liquors, and repeating
the law authorizing municipal corporations to
aid railroads.
SENATE, Jan. 24.-The important bill Of the
| day was one reducing the pay of county
auditors and treasurers twenty per cent, and
their employees thirty-three and third per
cent. The only other general bill considered
was the one abolishing the railroad commits
sioner's Office, and attaching the duties to
those of insurance commissioner. The Senate
adjourned to Tuesday, at 10 Am.
HOUSE, Jan. M.--So many members accom-
panied the committee to Saltwater to inspect
the prison that there was barely quorum
present, and no business of Importance was
transacted. The House adjourned until $50 P.
Mnndav