Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-27

for man; an office with no duties. But the
bill placed too much power in the hands
OF one man and he was opposed to it.
Senator Wilson thought something ought
to be done. At his home the railroad charged
81 more freight per ton on coal than was paid
at st. Paul, and the people had rights as well
as railroad companies. He wanted a railroad
commissioner created to regulate this matter.
He said Commissioner Adams, of Massachu-
sets, had exclusive authority on the rate
question, and the Massachusetts, railroads are
the best regulated roads in the country.
Senator Kinds conceded it was dangerous to
place such great powers in the hands of one
man, but would rather the power should rest
in the hands of an officer under oath than in
the hands of railroad president.
Senator Powers thought under the bill
the railroad commissioner would grow rich
while the people grew poorer. He could not
trust the average politician with the power
conferred in the bill.
The bill was lost. Ayes, 6, nays, %.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
The Senate refused to concur in the House
amendment TO the bill defining the number of
hours constituting days labor, and Senator's
Castle and Morrison were appointed as a con-
ference committee on the part of the Senate.
IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Senator D. Buck in the chair. G. F. Bucks
bill regulating the operation of telegraph
lines; d. Bucks bill relating to freight rates
on railroads, for a railway across the bay of
Duluth. and number of other bills were rec
commended to pass. The memorial to Con-
gress designed to prevent the obstruction of
ed by Senator's Crooks and c. D. Gilfillan, who
favored the bill, and by Senator J. B. Gilfllan,
who opposed it, and in spite of the testimony
of the old steamboat captains and pilots as to
the damaging effects of the combined sand and
sawdust upon navigation, an amendment per-
hitting sawdust to be thrown into the river
was tackled on, after which the memorial was
letting the printing of the city of St. Paul to
the lowest bidder had an airing.
Senator G. D. Gilfllan moved an amendment
providing for the use of minion and nonpariel
type, and stating that the printing bill for the
city of st. Paul was double that of the city of
Minneapolis, but he was not informed as to
the amount of printing done at Minneapolis.
Senator Crooks offered an amendment
authorizing the city council TO make such
arrangements as they should determine to be
for the best interests of the city
Senator G. D. Gilfllan---I hope that amend
ment will not prevail. It will defeat the
object of the bill
Senator Crooks then said:
claim Mr.. Chairman that the bill is an IN
fair interference with local self government
Under the existing charter, the council of the
city of st. Paul can let the printing to the low
est bidder if they so desire. The aldermen are
elected by the people, and if their action in
this matter is wrong, the people can readily
turn them out, and will be sure to do so.
This bill calls upon this Legislature to in
terfere in local matter, where the people are
making no request and desire no action. My
constituents desire no such measure, and this
bill is urged only by personal motive.
The price now paid by the city is forty (40)
twenty-eight (2S) cents per square for each
additional insertion. Council proceedings
which are inserted only once, pay but twenty
eight (28) cents, and this includes type setting
in book form; there being no ex ira charge for
the book OF council proceedings,
save press work, paper and binding.
The legal rate fixed by the State is seventy
and thirty-seven and half cents (37A) for
each additional insertion. 1t is not pretended
that this price is excessive or unfair, and still
the price now paid by this city is only about
one-ha1f of the rate paid by the State. In
1878 pool made, obtained from the city the
price of 60 cents per square for each insertion,
a price averaging more than double the price
now paid the city printer. Members of this
present common council, without regard to
and urged him to accept an election, at such
rates as might be deemed fair. He accepted
the proposition, and when the election did take
place, dire vengeance was threatened unless a
division was made, by rival printers. The de-
mand was refused, and then the pool
organizer, who had waxed fat before
at the enormous price Of 60 cents
per square, offered to do the work for almost
nothing; but the council acted in good faith
towards the man they had elected, and declined
to avail themselves of the temporary coercive
policy of the pool organizer. Under the
former So called '1owest bidder'' the city paid
nearly 81 600 per month to the pool, while
under the present system it costs less than
$500 per month. The breaking of the pool by
the present mode has saved the city already
between $4,000 and $4,000; and now these
floor, to interfere in our local affairs in order
to protect the people. The wolf and lamb is
not circumstance to such protection.
In the city of Minneapolis there is a printing
pool, and the council there received but one
bid at their last letting. AS our charter stands
to-day, the council can award or elect as they
may see fit, and the city fixes it's own prices.
No combination can dictate terms. The work
is done reasonably, and no one complains ex-
cept the baffled pool.
We are, Mr.. Chairman, perfectly competent
to regulate our local affairs without compul-
sorry legislation. trust that when the COM
mittee rise they will report this bill back with
a recommendation of indefinite postponement.
Senator Crooks amendment was adopted,
after which the blu was recommended to be
indefinitely postponed.
MORE CLERKS.
By Senator Mealey--- RESOLVED, that the sec
rotary of the Senate be authorized to employ
necessary assistance for engrossing bills. Pas
sed
PASSENGER TARIFFS ON RAILROADS.
Senator Crooks moved that the vote by
which the bill regulating passenger tariffs on
railroads, be reconsidered. Carried and bill
referred to judiciary committee.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
There was a Large attendance of members
yesterday, and considerable business was dis
posed of. Some time was consumed in talking
over the proposition for locating second