St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-22
ST. PAUL NEWS.
LEGISLATIVE DOINGS.
The Senate Passes a Bill Reducing In
terest on State Land Purchases
from z to Per Cent.
An Effort to Make a Few More Offices to
Keep Shins Warm for the
Winter.
Local Bills Pouring in from All DIrec-
lions indicating That There is to
be Plenty of Special Legislation
SENATE.

SENAIkS-
Gov. Giiman's gayel came down upon his
desk at 10 O'Clock, aud with 1t brought down
INTO their chairs fair working quorum of
Eenators, who Immediately stood up again
and remained standing during the chaplain S
prayer, to which they gave the usual amount
Of inatteution. 1t is true the reverend gen.
neman's invocation was, as usual. rather
long, and it was also neither sparkling nor
newsy. But it was good, straight and hon
sst application sent up with u reasonable
amount Of fervency, to the throne of grace
for an invoice of wisdom to be distributed
among senators (along with magic binders
and other articles of stationery, the means
for obtaining which they soon learn) to aid
them in the dispatch of the public business.
Vain supplicatioh! Session after session
has daily petition assembled to the great
source Of all wisdom for a supply of that
very choice and valuable commodity, and the
amour; on hand in the senate does not JUS
tify the hope that the present chaplain or
those who are to follow bin, will ever obtain
very great supply Of it for the use OF Min
nesota law makers.
Soon, however, the apathy which char
acteriZcd the devotional exercises gave place
10 the keenest alertness. A couple VI small
offices were attempted TO be created-a JAM
tor for the committee rooms, and clerk for
the committee on warehouses and grain in
spection-and a supply Of magic binders"
was to lie voted for senators uses. In
stautly the greatest attention on the part Of
senators was exhibited. Some wanted 10 Sc
cure small appointments for men who had
allied in their election; few, let us hope,
trulv and honestly wanted to practice this
small economy from conscientious. motives,
while L still greater number wanted il
he ralded abroad among their rural consttu-
ents, (among some of whom it would be
quite taking) that they were really great
economists. Notice of debate stopped the
wrangle which was imminent and the sena-
Tors compaceutly voted themselves the
''magIc binders" As your reporter has
stated before, there is TO be no peace until
all these small places arc filed. Now, why
not give the poor devils an opportuuy to
warm their shins beside state house steam
pipes, together with the enjoyment Of 4
modest per diem' Such appointments will
probably carry JOY to few humble homes
and the state will save money by stopping
discussion. The cost Of discussing this mat
.er has already probably cost the state more
money than the per diem would amount to.
Senator Goodrich was ''on deckn with
bill TO take measures for establishing a sec
Ond state prison at some stone quarry In the
AZ D. 81 ~ -
q special committee Of five, consisting Of
Senators Goodrich, Wheat, Griggs, Wells and
Houton. the bill provides for board Of
commissioners TO select the site Of the new
prison. Who has stone quarry for salei
The judiciary committee reported back the
bill relative 10 usury and limiting the rate Of
Interest upon promissory notes, with the rec
omme ldatou that II be indefinitely post
poned, but, 4 ION motion Of Senator Peter
son, It was rescued from that fate and refer
red to the committee OF the whole, where its
merits and dement's will have full hearing.
President Gilman seldom makes a lal,s,es
but he made one to-day which raised little
merriment among those who noticed il. He
ordered bill upon It's final passage on ''first
reading" lie quickly recti6ed his mistake,
and retreatiug yard or two behind his pro-
jecting brows, gravely went on with bust
ness. He is 4 cool, clear headed and efficient
presiding officer.
Two hills were passed reducing the rate of
interest upon unpaid purchase money for
state lands from Z 10 D per cent Senator
Clarke was the author Of the first bill, and its
provisions apply only 10 future sales, while
Senator Rice's bill reduces the rate upon past
sales and is retroactive. Il Is similar TO the
bill vetoed by the governor two years ago,
aud, in view of the very general demand for
the passage of such bill, the senator thinks
he can pass II over the governors head If he
again vetnes Il.
A huge printed petition TO senators and
members OF the house praying that the legis-
lature sill curtail the franchises of the 'Knife
Falls Boom corporation and the ''St. Louis
River Boom Improvement company" was
passed around and laid upon the desks. The
presence upon the list Of signers Of several
alleged lumbermen of known impecuriosity
aetraets from the influence Of the petition,
though there are many wealthy and really in
terrsted parties whose names appear upon it.
The petition has not been presented TO the
senate In formal manner yet.
Several senators are absent upon visits TO
state institutions.
Another session Of the senate viii take
place at 10 O'Clock this morning.