St. Paul daily globe., 1889-02-17
DUNNlNGTON CONFIRMED.
A Stormy Secret Session of the
Senate,

IN OOCECG oSSSlOh O1 GkAO
Senate.
81 would not kick dog out Of a room
upon such evidence" The remark had
reference to the Huntington investiga-
ton, and was made by a senator after
the executive session of the senate.
m Lieut.. Gov. Rice was deeply con-
cerned about this session and issued
special orders that reporters were to be
rigidly excluded from the precincts of
the senate chamber. Guards were
placed at every door, and their instruc-
tions were: ''If reporter comes within
at once and report him. Senators and
officials alike refused to state what was
done. But. Notwithstanding all this
secrecy, it is fact that Capt. Dunning-
toms appointment, as trustee of the sol
diers' home, was confirmed, and that,
too, by vote of "a to 9.
The session was of the most stormy
character.
Senator Durant, as chairman of the
Investigating committee, reported that
there was no evidence forthcoming JUS
tifying the noll-confrmatiOn of Dun
ningtOn' n's.appointment. The committee
had held one meeting. invited witnesses
to attend to give evidence Why Capt.
Dunnington should not be trustee of
the Soldiers home, and but one wit
ness attended. That was Capt. HI. A.
Castle, and he simply appeared to dlsa-
VOW the paternity of any charges against
Capt. Huntington. There was thus but
one conclusion for the committee: That
was his appointment should be con-
firmed.
The real charge which had been
made against Capt. Huntington was
that his connection with the Soldiers
home was merely mercenary one.
There were other charges. arising from
personal animus, but of a secondary
character.
When the report was made President
Rice called for some expression from the
senators, and long prOtracted dis
cussion followed. Senator Pope and
Senator Ward strongly opposed the con-
firmatiOn of the appointment. Their rea-
sons torso doing were largely based upon
personal matters. The flood of oratory
was taken up by fair proportion of
the senators present, and the debate
was of most conflicting nature.
Senators Edwards, Hall, Day, Bowen,
Schetfer and Crandall. in particular,
spoke of the injustice if the senate re-
fused to confirm the appointments, see
ing that really no unworthy charge had
been substantiated against Capt. DUH
ningtOn. If there was anything why
did not his opponents go before the
committee and testify to it? Senator
Keller was quite outspoken, vigorously
urging that the senate to jealousy hold
true the even-handed scales of justice.
The executive session continued from
1915 until 2:30 p. m.
Much of the time was spent in de-
sultory discussion as to the propriety Of
the investigation being taken up by a
special committee. Senator Ward made
strong point of this, arguing that the
matter should have been left to the
soldiers home committee. Senator
Swenson, becoming disguised with the
talk, left the chamber and refused to
take part in the division. There were
others tired ont with the obstruction
tactics indulged; but Notwithstanding
the efforts of opponents Capt. Dunning-
ton came off victorious.
Senator Pope will decline the appoint
ment offered him by Gov. Merriam as
trustee of the soldiers home.