Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-05
THE LEGISLATURE.

March, period OF Sixty days. Nearly
all of the members of both houses are
now in the city, and the few absentees
will probably arrive on the early morn
ing trains.
The most important matters to occupy
the attention of the members are the
election of a United States Senator and
the passage of the customary appropri
alton bills. AS to the Senatorship moth
ing can be known before the organiZa-
ton, and even then the preferences Of
the members will be in doubt until the
caucuses shall have been held. The can
didates have heretofore been referred to
in these columns Thus far the only APP
parent chance the legislature will have
to escape choice between two evils
will be to throw the candidates now most
prominent overheard, and to take
up one of the dark horses, of whom there
is not an inconsiderable number of good
quality. Ramsey, who is making the
greatest ado and pressing his Claims to
the office, is an old-time barnacle. Enter
ing the public service when Minnesota
was yet territory, he has been industri-
ously sucking the public pap almost con-
tlnuously ever since. He was governor
of the territory and of the State, United
States Senator for two terms. is now sec
rotary of war, and has just relinquished
the secretaryshlp of the navy. Ever
since the territory was organized he has
had his pick of the fat offices at the dis
posal of the people, and has grown oppu-
lent and obese 1t is about time that he
should step down and out and give some
of the younger and more talented men of
the State chance to distinguish them
selves.
Senator Mcmillan is also candidate,
and is making every effort to secure the
prize for second term He is almost as
great barnacle as Ramsey, though he
has spent most of his life on the bench, for
which he is better fitted than for seat
on the floor of the Senate. He has been
accused of creating a vacancy in the
representation in that body from this
State; but though he has not been con-
spicuous in debate, he has done. some
very efficient work in committees for his
constituents. He too, however, has had
his full share of public pap, and might
be greatly improved upon.
There are others in the State who have
the Senatorial itch in more or less ag-
gravated form. Ex-Gov. Davis has
long had a wistful eye upon seat among
the assembled wisdom of the nation, and
six years ago almost reached the summit of
his ambition He has not the following
at this time, however, that he had then,
and except as compromise candidate
stands but little chance.
Gov Pillsbury would not refuse to
serve the State in the Senate if the legis-
laturc should so elect, and in
the failure to unite upon either
Ramsey or Mcmillan would be
formidable candidate, as he would
secure the unanimous support of the
Minneapolis delegation, besides consid-
cradle number in the western and south
ern part of the State. The governor is
good business man, and though he would
not shine with great brilliancy he could
no doubt do much good-to Minneapolis
If placed in the position. Gen. John B.
Sanborn will unquestionably have some
support, for he is firmly of opinion that
the best man for the place is himself, and
he will have vote to cast on the qUes-
ton. The general is man of ability,
however, good lawyer, and has not been
an official barnaclc. The legislature
might go further and fare worse. When
the Ramsey and Mcmillan men succeed in
knocking each others brains out, Gen.
Sanborn will be good man to harmon
ize upon. He has always been a strict
Republican, but has kept aloof from the
rings which have done so much to dis
grace the Republican party in Minnesota.
The appropriation bills will probably
not be completed till towards the close of
the session, and there is great danger
that in the hurr of the closing days
many improper items will find place in
them. Great care should be exercised
not only by the committees but by the in
dividual members of the two houses to
keep the amounts as low as possible. An
extra sum will be needed to ebuild that
portion of the insane asylum destroyed by
fire, but not one dollar should be expend-
cd unless the plans are so arranged. as to
prevent repetition of the disaster of
November1ast.
A wise bankrupt law should be framed
and passed. AS there is no general statute
on the subject, both debtors and creditors
have to look to the State for protection
against rapacity on the one hand and
against swindling on the other. The bill
introduced two years ago was too vo-
luminous and complicated to answer the
purpose, and was regarded as favoring
the creditor to the injury of the debtor
class
But little general legislation is needed
at the present session, and no more than
that little should be attempted Legisla-
ton is expensive, and as there will prob
ably be an extra session to re-apportion