St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-13
MINNEHAHA PARK.

A bill approprlating money for Min
nehaha state park was before the senate
yesterday, and the committee Of the
whole. There is another bill, not yet
before the senate, which will transfer
the land acquired to the city OF Mime
apolis, who will reimburse the money
appropriated. Senator HiXson moved
the indefinite poStponement of the bill.
but it was recommended to pass by the
following vote:
Yeas-Bowen, Buchanan, Clough, Du-
rant, Eaton, Edwards, Hayden, Hoard,
Holmes. johnson, NJ. Scheffer, Sven
son, TruaX, Wallmark, Ward. WEIGH,
Whiteman-1S.
Nays-Anderson Compton, Crandall,
HiXSon, Lende, Wood-6.
When the bill was reached it became
evident that there would be lively de-
bate. There was score or more of
prominent MinneapOlitanS in the SEN
ate chamber as interested spectators.
f. q. Evans did some lively hustling
among the emberS in behalf of the
bill. e. W. Waffout, representing some
OF the protesting property owners at
Mlnnehaha, was also present to work
against the bill. As soon as the bill
had been reported Senator Ives moved
that W91an the committee arose it recon-
ator ClDugh was quick with a second.
Senator HiXSon, the Farmers alliance
meny6er, as has been anticipated, was
ready with an objection. He moved
that the bill be Indefinitely postponed.
Senator Crandall opposed the bill in a
lengthy speech, claiming that the lands
should not be sold to the city OF Mime
apoliS at the old appraisal. He did not
consider this Just to the property own
Tho lonH ho1 i,,or
value since the condemnation and ap-
praisai. Senator Hixson was the next
speaker, and he was both facetious and
sarcastic. He characterized the whole
matter as scheme and lob" He
asserted that if the bill passed the state
would be called upon later to appro-
pirate S1,000,000 to establish CHINA
mon bears and other ornaments
that Minneapolis would want to
have put in the park. He was radically
opposed to the passage of the bill, and
ii would be found that many other peo-
pie in the state were of the same
opinion: certainly they would be in late
years if the bill went through. Senator
Eaton followed and made very strong
argument for the passage Of the bill.
He believed that the land should be
sold to the city of Minneapolis under
the old appraisal. He said that the
whole matter had been delayed by the
property owners themselves. 1t was
not just or fair, he said, that either
Minneapolis or the state should be COM
PEELED to pay an increased price for
the land. If the value had been
enhanced it was because of the
location of the Soldiers home there
and other improvements that had
been made since the old appraisal. He
then made All elaborate denial of the
charges made by Senator Hixson that
the state would be compelled to appro-
pirate any money for the furnishing of
the park. He said that the bill provid-
ed that the cinnamon bears, ETC., should
be put into the park by Minneapolis.
The state would have the use of the
park the same as though the park was
under the control of the state, with the
right to put up public buildings. We
did not think that this body should con-
slider the matter from the standpoint of
sympathy for the property owners.
Senator HiXSon disputed the state
ment made by Senator Eaton that there
was any provision in the bill which pro-
Vlded that il Minneapolis secured the
park, the elaborate furnishings men
toned by Senator HiXson would have to
be put in.
Senatos Crandall again secured the
floor and made another lengthy speech,
in which he disputed many of the points
made by the senator from Rice county.
He also read letter from lady, a
property owner in Minnehaha. which he
stated had just been handed to him.
The letter gave figures as to the in
creased valuation of the authors prop
erty, and he closed by appealing to the
senate to prevent the passage of the
bill. Senator Crandall continued his
argument at some length, but no new
points were brought out.
Senator NJ. johnson at this point sent
up an amendment to the bill, substitute
ing 10 for per cent. He withdrew it
for the nOnce to give Senator Ives an
opportunity to speak on the bill. The
senator from Nicoliet devoted his time
TO an elaborate explanation of the legal
aspects in the matter, and showed why
the Judiciary committee had reported
favorably on the bill. In closing, he
he asserted that the passage of the act
would not cost the state cent in the
future.
why is the state called upon then
for the appropriation instead of Mime
apolis?" broke i'll Senator HiXSon.
because it is necessary in order to
make the necessary transfer" was the
reply.
'Why not call it the Minnesota State
park. instead of the Minneapolis park,
then?' fetorted Senator HiXSOn.