The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-02-03
MANKATo FREE Press.
Glimpses Around the Capitol.


Paul last week. we had the opportu-
nifty of coming the pecularities and
abilities of the members that com.
pose the legislature. as well as some
Of the insiduous workings about the
lobby. We found the entire body of
wise men deeply absorbed in the in.
PRODUCTION. reading and passing laws
aud amendments that is to keep the
State upon its proper equilibrium
for the next two years. and even ut
this early stage there is anxious
thoughts pervading the minds of
some that biennial sessions are fail
ure. and that the eXigencies of the
times demands either annual sessions
or extra ones attached to the bien-
NAL ones.
The house is somewhat u cumher-
some body. and oftcntimes difficult to
control. hut the gavel, and author-
tive voice of the Speaker usually
predominates. In the House are
many distinguished looking men, but
half 4 dozen do all the talking.
The Senate is altogether Il different
body. the majority of members being
either grey or bald.headed which
adds dignity in the eyes of specta-
tor. hut they are "hale fellows well
met when unrestained from official
duty. Their work is monotonous.
without some very important meas
ures are up. and about all there is to
hear is the sonorous voice of the
Secretary reading the bills with a
rapidity that would surpass the elec-
trio fluid running over the telegraph
wires on frosty morning.
In the Committee rooms and the
corridors. are Il multitude of persons
who have axes To grind and who are
continually soliciting Che ear of some
particular member. into which, they
plead their cases with 4 desperation
of great moment.
In Il conversation with member.
we learned that great efforts Will he
made before the present session closes,
to bring the matter of the old state
Railroad bonds before the Courts for
adjuca,ion and deprive the people the
privilege of voting upon the matter.
Indeed" the member said, 1.-THE
origiuators of the scheme say that
they have already enough members
from both houses TO accomplish their
object. but if they attempt any such
high handed outrage they will find Il
hornets nest of no small dimensions
falling about their ears This cues
tion is absorbing far more attention
than is supposed. and all kinds OF
projects are on foot for perfcct.ng a
settlement in some way. The most
feasible OF which to our mind is. TO
sell the 500. 900 acres of internal i'm
proyement lands and deposit the pro-
cecds us "A sinking fund, and then
effect Il compromise with The bond
holders. of say. So or 40 cents ON :,
dollar. and issue 10 them new bonds
running twenty years II Il low inter
est, then apply the principal and
interest of the above sinking fund To
their liquidation. Ii the question
has To be settled at all. that would be
a method highly satisfactory to us.
The rejection of Burt, as Supcrln-
tendent of public instruction of the
State. created quite Il breeze at the
time. 1t is likely that Prof. Phelps.
Of the Normal School at Winona will
be his successor.
Speaker Fletcher, has been pro-
trayed rs Il being surprising the evil
one in every particular except the
hoofs and forked tail. but we found
him a medium size, sharp looking,
well dressed individual who would
most naturally progresses you with
the idea of one who looks well after
his own cake while laboring for the
interests of his constituents. No
doubt Fletcher is closely connected
with others who own large interests.
in which each session of the legisla-
ture has more or less effect upon, but
by a course of gerrymanding in the
lobby and house they are not dis
turbed. Fletcher is well known
again. as the identical person who
was few years ago caught in the
mcshes Of the Canadian law snatchcrs
while prcambulating about the wilds
Of Manatoba. and who required the
assistance of the state to eXtricate
himself He has lately, vulgarly
speaking. "got his foot in it" by ignor-
ing the Scandinavian members OF the
House in his appointment of special
committees, but he quickly alayed
any trouble on that score 10y having
it thoroughly circulated that his orig
inal cognomen was "Ole Fletcherson
and therefore could not possibly in
tentlonally wrong one of his own
nationality.
Lieut.. Gov. Gilman, wiclds his
authority over the wise solons of the
Senate with Il familiarity born of long
experience, and makes Il most admir-
able presiding Officer.
y grand good joke is aflOat on orr
honorable representative, Joseph
Burger, that is unknown to but few.
and it is too good TO keep. We must
repeat it, although we have no incli-
nation to reflect upon Mr.. Burger for
he is AN interchangeable worker i'm the
legislature. One day last week as
Mr.. Burger and IL member of the
House were walking down street i'm
St. Paul, they met Geo. c. Chamber.
lin of Jackson, and the member in
troduced Mr.. Burger to Chamberlin,
whom he thought was Selah Cham.
berlin, the great bond holder. Burger