Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-20

Az Iue Gnu vi Iue uiSCuosion 1dc Jul was loit
as introduced. The favorable re-
port of the committee was then endorsed,
which was step forward, and the real con-
test will soon commence.
Routine Report.
Called to order at 10 a. m. by President Gill
man. Religious exercises by Chaplain Smith,
and rail- coll.
TAXING TELEGRAPH COMPANIES.
By Senator Rice-To provide for the assess
ment and taxation of telegraph lines. Taxes
and tax laws.
Senate bill, relating to cattle running at
large in Douglas and Pope counties.
THE RAILROAD BONDS.
Senator Pillsbury, of the finance commit
tee, to whom the bond bill had been referred,
reported the same back with two amendments,
one adding to the preamble, the words
''many of" in place of the 'people" of the
State.
Senator j. B. Gilfillan opposed the amend
ment as compromising the good name of the
state. He wanted it to appear in the pream-
DE Gudb lUC sbdtc Ill Ills SONCICl3ubJ QlspulcQ
the claims. If the claims were not disputed
by the State, it could not accept the pending
offer without dishonor, and it was
to avoid such a charge that the preamble had
been worded as it was.
Senator Adams said the amendment was
mace at his request. He desired to have it
read to majority of the people. but he modi
fed it to suit the committee. Neither him nor
constituents desired any qualifying words.
I'M. L. Late
crat he objected to having the stigma placed
upon the Democratic party which had always
supported a faithful settlement of that
it's 10000 to 10000 majority had
repudiated the obligation, not the Democratic
party, or the state, and he objected to any
importation upon either. For one he believed
in striking out the entire preamble. 1t was
useless The bill told its purpose, and he be-
lieved in letting it go down to history on its
merits.
Senator Powers opposed striking out the
preamble, as only by it was the reason ex
planned why Minnesota proposed to pay but
so cents on the dollar of this debt.
Senator Wilson argued that the Republicans
had been as willing as Democrats to
settle this question. If be recollected
Alright, two of the leading Democrats led in
the opposition to the proposed settlement of
this 0eDb at the IaSL session.
Senator D. Buck-We are there yet.
Continuing, Senator Wilson said he was
sorry an attempt had been made to bring poll
tics into this discussion, and he trusted poll
tics would be laid aside and the issue of the
bond debt met squarely on it's merits.
Senator Adams briefly reviewed the history
of certain of the debt, bringing out the fact
that the signature of Gov. Pillsbury for their
issuance was compelled by mandamus of the
court. He acknowledged some Democrats as
individuals opposed the bond settlement, but
the party, as party, stood up squareIy for
their payment, which could not be said of the
Republican party. He had no desire to drag
in politics, but history is history, and the
Republican party did in 1860 throw acloud up
on that debt, and the state had ever since been
suffering from the charge of reputation.
Senator Wilson, while respecting Gen. Sib-
ley highly, said ne had always thought he
was unduly infuer cod by the opinion of the
supreme court That had been his weakness.
He believed it was an acknowledged principle
that each department of the government was
independent of the other. Gov. Austin had
exercised his independence of the supreme
court by refusing to obey its mandate, and
had Gen. Sibley have done the same the whole
trouble in relation to the bonds would have
been saved.
Senator J. B. Gilfllan moved as a substitute
to the proposed amendment, to strike ont
'people of" making it read disputed by the
state," which motion prevailed, and the pre-
amble was so amended.
Another amendment was to reduce the time
in which claimants may file their claims, from
thirty to ten days.
Senator's Aaker and Powers opposed the
amendment.
Senator Pillsbury, supporting the amend
ment, explained in detail the legislation of
last winter, in which he advanced the opinion
that the bonds were legal claim against the
state, and that the bondholders would be will
ing to submit their claim to any legal tri-
bunal.
Senator D. Buck-Will you be willing to
do so?
Senator Pillsbury-Yes, sir.
Senator D. Buck-If felt that way would
not try to sneak out of the payment of fifty
cents on the dollar.
Senator Powtrs again spoke IN favor of the
amendment.
Senator G. F. Buck said he was in favor of
accepting the proposition of the bondholders.
Leaving out every other consideration, it was
to the interest of the people, in dollars
and cents, to settle that debt. Last
winter the opponents of the compro-
mise measure demanded that limit should be
fixed to these outside claims. The senator
from Fillmore went so far as to oppose any
recognition of these claims, and now he has
taken the opposite turn, and he has set up
man of straw about the intended injustice to
the outside claimants, only to knock him
down again. There are some things like the
ways of Providence, past finding out, and the
course pursued by some of the opponents of
this proposed bond settlement, is one of those
things. Since coming here this time, he
has heard much about the attorney
general opposing any recognition of
these outside CLAIMS. Who is this attorney
general who sets himself up to dictate the
course that shall be pul sued by this body in
preserving the credit of the state and doing
justice to its own citizens? But it was not the
first time one placed in power had bowed his
knees to money and power, and turned against
those who made him. These outside claims
represent, as rule, dollar to the holder, and
they are held in the main by old settlers, and
he hoped, as the members loved justice and
honor, nothing would be done at this session
to inyalidate or throw a cloud upon them.
Upon yea and nay vote the amendment
was rejected. Yeas 6, nays IS.
Senator Powers moved to amend the report
of the committee by substituting ninety for
thirty days.
Senator Pillsbury raised the point of order
the motion was in effect to amend the bill, and
therefore out of order.
Senator j. B. Glltillan took the same view,
but the chair decided the report of the COM
mittee not having been adoped, the amend
ment was in order.
At this point Senator D. Buck approached
the chair aud Whispered In his ear, which was
followed by the chair announcing that the
Merchants hotel was on fire. AS many OF the
members were stopping at the hotel the an
nouncement made decided sensation, during
which one senator moved to adjourn.
Cries of "No," "No," Recess
The motion to adjourn was then withdrawn
and motion to take q recess to 2 D. M