Morris tribune., 1881-03-03
MINNESOTA NEWS.
DOINGS OF THE LEGISLATURES.

SENArE-A new railroad bond bill was intro
duced in the senate, passed through its earlier
stages, and will be put on its passage to-mor-
row, which provides for the settlement of the
bonds on the basis of Mr. Chamberlain's propo-
siton but without the adjudication which he
asked. In other words, the bill is actually
based on the assumption that the court would
decide that the bonds are valid obligations of
the state and proposes to pay half the debt; but
to save the credit of the state it ostensibly as
sumo the validity OF the bonds is in DISPUTE,
and on this ground provides for settling them
by paying half what is due in full satisfaction
of the whole amount in new tive per cent. bonds,
payable in thirty years, while another bill pro-
vides that the proceeds of the oOo, 900 acres
of internal improvement lands shall be devoted
to the payment of the bonds. The only Ques-
ton to be submitted to the Judges of the su-
preme court is whether the legislature has
power to provide for the adjustment of the
bonds without submitting the act to the people
If they shall decide i'll the negative, then this
act is to be submitted to the popular vote
otherwise not The vote in favor of this bill
was very large; there were only a few votes
against it.
HoUsE-A large number of new bills were
introduced, mostly local. Mr.. Comstock re-
ported the Legislative apportionment bill.
During the afternoon call of the house was
found necessary several times, in order to get
members away from the excitement going on in
the senate.
Mr. 0. Donahue offered resolution propos-
ing that, as George Washington was as good a
man as St Patrick, Tuesday, being the ami
versary of the birthday of the father of his
country, should be solemnly observed, and that
the house adjourn till tomorrow. Referred to
committee on fe,eral relations.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY %.
SENATE.-The senate spent the whole day in
discussing the bond bill, which was finally
passed by vote of 27 yeas to IS nays.
The bill for providing that the proceeds of
the internal Improvement lands shall be applied
to meet the principal and interest of the rail
road adjustment bonds passed by the same vote.
HoUsE-In committee of the whole all day,
considering tEe appropriation bills. But little
change was made i'll them
Some discussion ensued in regard to the re-
form school, but the fullamount of money ask
ed was allowed. The country editors will have
cause for regret that an insufficient sum is ap-
propriated for advertising the general laws.
Only $4,000 is allowed, which, with nearly
200 papers in the State, will give each but a
sorry plttance for an advertisement covering
from two to three pages.
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 23.
SENATE-S"nator Kinds rails ed a point Of or
der that the bond bill was not constitutionally
passed, not receiving two-thirds vote. He
wanted to correct the journal accordingly. The
President decided that it is incompetent for any
officer of the senate to change the record; and,
further, that il is not within the province of the
chair to decide whether the provisions Of the
bill in question do or do not conflict with the
provisions of the constitution, as alleged in the
request of Mr. Hinds
The St Louis River Dalles Improvement
company and the Knife River Boom company
used up several hours in a discussion of their
desires and grievances.
The bills passed were entirely of a local char
acter.
HoUsE-The senate appropriation bills were
all passed Mr.. Taxbox was brought to the
bar of the house to purge himself of contempt
in refusing to reply to question propounded
by the State prison committee He said he
would answer, and did, to the committee, in the
evening, that it was Maurice Auerbach, but
that it was all in joking way.
The bill to rearrange legislative sessions, in
troduced by Mr.. Daniels, was somewhat dis
cussed and amended in such manner as to
provide for unlimited sessions with sa larry of
$3.50, and an unlimited extra session with a
salary of 5000. Thus amended the bill was
recommended to pass.
When the appropriation bills came up the
amount appropriated for printing the laws in
the two hundred newspapers of the state, was
increased from 81 900 to $40, 900 by vote
of 50 ayes to "a nays.
Mr.. Stone made great effort to have $4, 500
appropriated for the State Forestry association,
but with no success.
Mr. Hicks bill relating to steam engines did
not suit the popular idea, and the committee
thought it shonld be indefinitely postponed.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY "a.
SENATE-The St Louis River Dales Improve
ment company's bill passed the senate yestor-
day. after the most vigorous and persistent op-
position. Mr.. Kennedy's bill for contesting the
election of Mr.. Campbell, after being buffeted
about for week or two, was sert back to the
committee on claims for revision and report
Senator Officers swamp land bill seems to be
out of the woods with clear majority in the
senate. The resolution directing the attorney
general to commence an action against the St
Paul Sioux City Railroad company for viola
ton of one of the provisions of its charter, was
passed
HoUsE-The bill reported by the committee
on legislative apportionment was considered,
and, although there was much talk only one
change of importance was made. The Seven
teenth district is divided, Nicolet county having
one senator and one representative, while Rem
vile county, which was in the original bill asso-
ciated with it, is made the Forty-seventh dis
trl {, with one senator and one representative,
thus increasing the number of senators to forty
seven, and reducing the number of representa-
tives to lO4. The bill as amended was passed
by vote of 76 ayes to NAYS.
Fifty new bills were introduced. The bill to
provide for the payment of old railroad bonds
reached it's second reading.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25.
SENATE-Ihe senate at last reached a vote on
Senator Wilkins bill, which regulates the rate
for carrying passengers on the railroads of
vote standing 25 for, to 12
against 1t makes the rate three cents mile.
Senator Officer pulled his swamp lands
through after the most vigorous opposition.
Kennedy, the contestant, has got his $3.50.
The senate has recommended for passage the
bill granting new trial to Lautenschlaeger and
the two Rapps, who are serving life sentence
IN the state prison for the murder of Mrs. Lick,
in St Paul.
Mr. Castles bill to enforce the attendance of
witnesses before committees of the legislature
sitting after the legislature adjourns was lost,
and the same fate attended Mr.. McCrea's bill
for grant Of swamp lands to the Lake
Park Il Crookston railroad.
HoUsE-All of the forenoon and a portion of
the afternoon was devoted to the passing of
house files, and at least fifty found their way to
the desk of the secretary of the senate.
Mr.. Daniels bill providing for sessions of the
legislature of unlimited length with salary of
$500, and thirty day extra sessions with salary
of 5000, passed by large majority.
The bill making diplomas received from nor
NAL schools Oh graduation, equivalent to certi-
ficates Of ability to teach in lieu Of al examina-
ton, and the bill providing for official land sur
veyors were defeated. .rr
The bill providing tor the adjustment of the
old railroad bonds was made the special order
for Monday morning.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20.
SENATE-The bill for the apportionment of
the state into senatorial and Legislative districts
which was introduced into and passed by the
hou e, came up in committee of the whole in
the senate, and was recommended for passa5e
without amendment. The senators from Ohm
sted and the senators from Fillmore and Scott
endeavored to increase their representation, but
all amendments to that effect were voted down.
MIR. Wilkins bill for fixing the rates at which
railroad companies shall carry passengers, was
recalled from the house and laid on the table
In executive session, the senate confirmed
number of nominations of Gov Pillsburv, but
tnat of Thomas Simpson of Winona, as a mem
Der of the normal school board, met with very
strong opposition, and was hung up for the
present.
Gov. Pillsbury sent to the senate the follow
ing appointments, which where considered and
acted upon in executive session:
Trustees for Hospital for 1nsane-A L. Sack.
EFT OF Nlcollet county, vice Albert Knight de-
ceased. j. IL = :. =
Director Deaf and Dumb Institute-Ge George
b. Whipple of Rice county, vice H. E. Barron,
resigned. a4 f11.
Normal School Directors-Thomas Simpson
of Wonona, reappointed; John II. Ray of Blue
Earth county; VIM. B. Mitchell of Stearns