St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-07
With a Proud Consciousness of Duty
/. Done the Minnesota SOlOns Dis
perSe to their Homes.
The Final Session Devoted to tht
Usual Skylarking Interspersed
With More Serious Business.
Group Of Representatives and Lieut..
Gov. Gilman With Gayel.
Some Of the Heavy Weights Of the Senate
The Architect of the Capitol Con-
demned-ResolutiOns.
The Last DAVIS Doings.

| y
shall deem it expedient to call the legislature
together in special session. The senators
gravely took their places, knowing that they
were about to separate and depart for their
several homes, and that as a legislative body
they should never again meet in their en-
tirety. Men who have been in constant
and daily companionship for sixty days US
ually feel grave under such circumstances.
They feel if they wanted the good will of their
fellows, even if they have honestly differed
as to what measures were for the best inter-
ests of the commonwealth. At the outset
| this very commendable feeling seemed to
| pervade the senate, but it was unfortunately
dispeled by the calling up of Senator Good
rich's resolution to pay j. I. Williams 500
toward defraying the expenses of his contest
with Senator Fletcher for seat in the sem
ate, which was voted down as was also the
amendment voting the money to Senator
Fletcher. As to the merits of the claim the
reporter is not informed The judiciary
committee were divided in opinion, but
from what has cropped out in the senate it
would appear that Mr.. Williams, though per-
haps not entitled to seat in the senate, had
at least '.fghting chance" and he would
have been less than man had he not made
something of contest. Be the merits of the
case what they may, it resulted in an un-
seemly war of words between Senators Will
son and Billson which seemed to disperse
those kindly and generous feelings through
out the whole senate which are usual among
the closing scenes.
wOODCHUCK SENATE.
The senate just dispersed MAY be consid-
cred as 'woodchuck' senate, and if con-
stituents could draw aside the veil and look
into the innermost tn houghts of some few,
perhaps many, of the senators, they
would be astonished. The amount of trad
ing backward and forward aud the ''log-
rolling'' on various measures quite surpasses
anything your reporter has ever seen. Many
seemed 10 be chiefly anxious to make a rec
ord which would be valuable to take before
their constituents for reelection. This is
notably true in regard to tenn perance legis-
laton and nigh license. Some who made the
most noise were the least sincere.
1t is not the desire of the reporter to criti-
else senator's Some were able and some
were puny, with all the intermediate grades.
Iu speaking of those who took the most con-
Senator Castle, who, though Democrat, was
the second on the judiciary committee, and
since Senator J. B. Gilfllan's resignation,
made the reports for The com mittee. He was
diligeut worker, and in debate he was
concise and clear and hard to get away with.
The members Of the Ramsey county delega-
ton. were both strong men, each of whom
generally carried his point when he advocated
measure. Senator Griggs was the more
watchful and the more courteous OF two, but
Senator G.. D. Glfillan was the better taker
and the stronger in debate. Ramsey county
lost nothing by having two such senators to
look after her interests.
The Hennepin county delegation, Senators
Langdon and Pillsbury, are both able men,
neither Of whom is talker, but both are
good workers.
Senator Hall Of Goodhue is an exceedingly
bright man. He is young In legislative eX
perience, but he was bne of the clearest-
headed men and best takers in the senate.
Senator Peck was another one who could
say promptly what he had to say, and in such
a manner as to place his views in their best
light before the senate.
Senator Hickman was usuallya quiet man,
but when he arose the senate was always
treated to a speech of such elegant diction as
| to sound almost like poem.
| Senator Wheat was the champion of the
states interests in its lands, and it is but
| just 10 him 70 say that be accomplished quite
| as much for the material interests of the
state as any senator.
Senator Billson was one of the best talk
ers in the senate, and his arguments were
always logical and forcibly delivered.
| Senator Waite deserves TO be ranked
| among the soundest men upon the floor, and
was of great influence. Naturally strong
man, long life has developed his qualfca-
! tions.
A deserved tribute of respect to the worth
OF senator was paid Senator Comstock when
he was elected president pro tenn. of the
senate. 1t will be remembered that he mar
rowly escaped the nomination for lieutenant
| governor at the last state convention. Per-
haps he may not miss the nomination at all
at the next. The Republican party could s'go
farther and fare worse" for he is bright
man and good parliamentarian, and has
| always acquitted himself creditably when
called upon to preside over the senate.
coMPLINEST1Ne GILMAN.
Senator Comstock offered the following
resolution:
ResoEred, That in token of our appreciation Of
his faithful and able services presiding officer
! Of the senate, we hereby present to Lieut.. Gov.
| A. Gilman the gavel which he has welded
with such acknowledged Judgment and impair
tiality.
| Unanimously adopted.
Lieut.. Gov. Gilman said, in response to
the adoption of the resolution, that he was
gratifed to have such a resolution adopted
| by the senate. 1t was personal satisfaction
| to him to have his endeavors to justly and
/ impaltially discharge the duties of his Office
! appreciated BY the senate, and to have the
/ senate signify its appreciation in the man
ner it had done. 1t had been his endeavor
| to make his rulings fair aud impartial, and
| had done so to the best of his ability. II be
| had failed, his failure should be attributed
| TO the head. and not to the
| heart He said that sooner or later the best
/ OF friends mus; part, and in parting with
/ the present senate of Minnesota be wished
/ TO say that he never again expected TO meet
/ with more genial and well-meaning body
I Of men This emblem of authority which
/ the senate had deemed fitting to bestov upon
/ him bv its vOte-the gavel-was Of trifiing
/ intrinsic value. but to him it was treasure.
+ Ii should occupy q place Of honor in MS
/ home, aud as age approached. bearing in its
I trails the inirmfties incident to the evening
/ Of life. 1t would call to his remembrance the
/ hopes and aspirations, the successes and dis
I appointments OF this world, aud his family
/ should be instructed to revere if as \ token
I Of the estimation in which he was held BY
the senate of 1855. [Great applauss.l
PRESIDENT Pro TEgPoRE-
Senator Compton nominated Senator Com
stock for the Office of president pro tempore
/ of the senate. and be vas unanimously
/ elected to the position.
TIE REPogTERs RExEgsERED.
I Senator Castle offered resolution COM
plineniing the reporters Of the newspapers
/ for the care aud fidelity with which they had
! ffschar-sd their drr.fes and ferderinr the