Daily globe., 1879-01-25


points in the discussion will be found in
the detailed report. Though the merits OF
the proposition were not fully gone into
enough OF the opinion of the Senators with
reference to the proposed change to show
that this real measure of reform is safe, SO
far as the Senate is concerned.
Senator Powers followed up his bill for 8
reduction of salaries of State officials by pro-
posing like reduction for all classes OF
county officials. The propositions are
worthy the careful consideration of the hon
orable Senators.
Routine Report.
THAT sw1NDLINd KETTLE.
Senator Shalleen presented communication
from the farmers of Chisago county protesting
against the further use of the brass kettle for
the purpose of testing wheat. It went to the
committee.
MORE CLERKS.
Senator Perkins offered resolution for the
appointment of a clerk to the judiciary COM
mittee. at the same compensation as the assist
ant secretary OF the Senate. Went over under
notice of debate.
Senator Mealey called up his resolution for
an assistant for the engrossing and enrolling
clerks, naming G. H. Bertram for the position.
Senator Ell. B. Wilson wanted to know if such
assistant was needed.
Senator Mealey understood such to be the
case.
The resolution was adopted.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Senator Powers-To regulate the salaries OF
county officers. THE bill provides that the sal.
aries Of county suditors and county treas.
urers shall be reduced 20 per cent, and thei,
clerks thirty-three and one-third per cent; and
provides that in counties of less than 5000
inhabitants the salary of the register Of deeds
shall not exceed $500; of more than 5000 and
less than 5000, $500; of less than 10000 and
more than 6,O00 $1,000; Of less than Is, 900 and
more than 10000, not more than $1,000; less
than 70, QUO and more than Is, 900, not more than
$l,SOO; of more than 25,0OU, and less than
10000 f3,0O0-the same to include clerk hire
the last census to be the basis of computation
adding per cent. For each year from such
census. The bill also prescribes the compensa
tion OF county clerks, making reductions in
cites that in no case shall a probate judge re-
ceive more than $1,000, any sum over that
amount to be turned into the treasury.
Senator Shallem-Amending the act to trans.
fer and invest certain swamp lands in the
Taylor's Falls g. Lake Superior Railroad com.
pany.
Senator Williams-Providing for laying out
or tlscontlnulng any town line road.
Senator Adamg-Relatirg to lands owned in
sovereignty for grazing purposes.
Senator G. d. Giliilan--Amending the cen.
eral statutes relating to trials by jury. Pro
vides that trials for drunkenness or brutal
treatment shall be given Jury trial. unless the
same shall be waived.
Senator Officer = Authorizing independent
school district No. 27, to issue bonds. Passed
Senator misunderstanding the general
laws relating to town insurance counties.
Senator H. B. Wilson-To amerd the general
school laws.
Senator @. y. Gilfllan, of the Judiciary com.
mittee, reported back the bill of Senator H. B.
Wilson relating to liens, with a recommends
ton that it be indefinitely postponed.
Senator II. B. Wilson opposed the recommen-
dation of the committee, and Senators f. M.
Wilson and d. L. Buell. sustained the recon-
mendation Of the committee.
Senator Kinds moved to commit the bill and
the committees report to the committee of the
whole. Lost.
The motion to indefinitely postpone was
adopted
SENATE BILLS PASSED.
To prevent the destruction of fish in Lake
Karomo, in the counties Of Stearns and Meeker,
To repeal the act prohibiting the killing OF
deer in Houston county.
To create and maintain mill dam across
Skunk river in Morrison county
HOUSE BILLS PASSED.
To legalize the plat of the village Of Oaledo-
MIA, Houston county.
To organize the county of Pipestone.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
The bill for merging the office of railroad
commissioner with that of insurance commis.
siener-a substitute for the bill abolishing the
first named offce-reported from the commit
tee of retrenchment and reform, coming up in
committee of the whole, Senator j. B. Gilfl-
Ian desired to know if the committee had
made any examination of the duties of the of.
hce of railroad commissioner, and the effect the
proposed legislation would have.
Senator Brown, chairman of the retrench-
ment committee, in reply stated that while the
committee had not gone into thorough inves-
tigation OF the duties connected with that Of
hce it had gone far enough to be convinced
that the consolidation proposed was for the
best interests of the State. By it the State
would secure the performance of the same du-
ties as now at an expense of 81 ,000 a saving
! of about So. 600.
Senator J. 3: Gill6llan wonld like to hear
from the chairman Of the railroad committee.
Senator G. d. Gilfllan, the chairman alluded
to, had not given the matter any consideration.
it not having been brought to the attention Of
the committae. He had a general idea as to
the duties of the Office, that it was designed a.
check upon the railroad companies and to
look out for the revenue coming to the State
from that source, but he not prepared to
say of his own knowledge whether
the proposed legislation was advisable
or not. To give him and his committee time
to look into the matter, he moved the refer
ence of the bill to it for consideration.
Senator Dora,l-Mr. Chairman, what is this
bill to abolish an office. Why, it can't be
done. It's just as remarked the other day,
it's easy enough to create an Office, but when
you come to abolishIng one, why that's another
thing l never saw an Office abolished, and
never EXPECT to. This office OF railroad COM
missioner is sinecnre one, and by the consoli-
dation proposed at least $2,500 would be saved
to the State annually, and the duties of the Of
flee be as efficiently done as now. But the Of
flee will ye retained Just the same, and if we
don't get another carbuncle in the shape of an
Office hitched to the State machinery we shall
be doing we'll.
Senator Adams said the bill had been unani-
.nously reported from the retrenchment and re-
form committee, committee made up eqnally
of Democrats and Republicans. It did not
propose to abolish the office Of railroad COM
missioner, but simply to consolidate it with
that OF insurance commissioner, an Office that
was not only self-supporting but turned into
the treasury of the State q small surplus an
nually. The committee, after looking into
the matter, had become satisfied that longer
continuance of the office with salary of So OcO
for its head and 81, 200 for clerk, with little
OF anything to do and that merely clerical.
was cutting the thing little fat. As now. the
Office costs annually $4,000. BY the consolida-
ton proposed it would cost 81 ,000-a saving of
$4,000. It was time these sinecure
offices, created at the expense of
the tax payers, were Topped off. The fitness OF
the present incumbent had nothing to do with
the matter. The simple question was would
this legislature save the people $4,000 when it
can be done without in the least inpairing the
nnblic service