Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-01

to the gentleman, but his conversion would
serve to illustrate the conversion of others
who, before any discussion had been had in the
House, were one by one becoming advocates of
the bills. He wished to read or have read a
letter written by Mr.. Daniels before the cleo
ton and published in the Rochester papers.
Objection was made, and long discussion
ensued as to whether or not the letter alluded
to should be read. Finally, at the authors re-
quest, it was read by the clerk.
Mr.. Wilson would not refer at length to the
change that had come over the gentleman
from Olmsted since the election. He merely
referred to the case as typical one.
The speaker had been familiar with this bond
question from its inception, and knew with
what unblushing effrontery the advocates of
their issue had conducted their business. In
WinOna county, a man named Beaman had
undertaken to run the matter. He was afraid
the judges of election were too honest to suit
his purpose, and suddenly these judges re-
signed and their places were filled by others.
The result was that in q district with about
700 votes total of over 100 were returned.
This man Beaman returned to Washington
with huge bundle of the State railroad bonds,
and these we've a part the people were now
asked to pay. About the same time a Mrs.
Hodges, Washington lobby
list, who had assisted in
procuring the grant from Congress, came
around for her pay, accompanied by John
Van Arnam, the noted criminal lawyer of Chi
cago. When the bonds were issued from the
governors Office this woman stood by and
gathered in her share of them. The people
are asked to pay these bonds too. Does any
person mean to say there was no fraud in
this?
Aside from these considerations the State
was giving what it had no right to give. 1t
had no title to any but the first 100 sections.
He appealed to the gentleman from Ramsey if
he was not right.
Mr.. Smith, will not interrupt the gentle
man by expressing either assent or dissent to
what he may have to say.
Mr.. WilsOn-The gentleman's answer shows
his egotism. He seems to think he is the
only member from Ramsey. Twas appealing
to the gentleman behind him, Mr., Sanborn.
Great laughter.)
Mr.. SMITH owe you one.
Mr.. Wilson proceeded to deny that the bonds
were valid obligations of the State. The State
had paid at the rate of $4,000 mile for
grading the roads, when it cost no more than
81, 800 or 50 900 to do the work. His theory
of a settlement was this: Let commission
be appointed to ascertain the exact cost of the
bonds to the holders, and then let the State
pay that cost dollar for dollar together with
interest at the rate of seven per cent. The
State can afford to pay all it justly owes but it
cannot afford to pay cent more. He had
been denounced all over the State as repudi-
ator. If desire to pay all the State owed was
reputation, then the charge was true, and he
was proud to be known as repudiatOr. MIR.
Sewall, the city engineer of st. Paul, a
competent and honorable man, had, after care
full measurements of the work done, reported
that the actual cost to the contractors was
1901 81 per each $1,000 bond. This he was
willing to pay with interest at seven per cent.
for the past twenty-five years, which
would amount in all to $S2S.31
for each $1,000 bond. But rather than
be guilty of injustice or parsimOny he was
willing to allow the holders handsome profit
and give them 5000 for each bond He would
even go farther to effect a settlement, and
would give 81, 900 fiat, but not cent more.
The speaker was opposed to any proposition
that did not comply with the constitutional
requirement of submission to vote of the
people. The plan under consideration was to
create a new tribunal. Though the supreme
the judges were disqualified from sitting in
adjudication upon the case. 1t would, there
fore, devolve upon the Governor to select any
three of the fifteen district judges to determine
the States liability on the bonds, and the judg-
ment of any two of them would be final. This
was in effect the creation of a new court, and
would require a twO-thirds vote of the two
Houses, which 1t would not OBTAIN. The pre-
tense that the tribunal consisting of three dis
trict judges would still be supreme court
was subterfuge very shallow indeed to avoid
violating the constitution more. than once.
He denounced any such scheme as unconstitu-
tional, and insisted that any plan for the pay.
ment OF the bonds should be submitted to the
people. He submitted an amendment embody
ing the bill.
Mr. Smith obtained the floor to reply, when
the House took recess till 2:30 P. NJ.
afternoon Session.
The House re-convened at 2:30 P. NJ, Mr..
James Smith, Jr., having the floor. He said
that the nnaStiOn of the original Issue of the