St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-30
SENATOR'S HESITATE
To Advance Any Present Change
in Temperance Laws.


Never 1t will ruin the country"
So exclaimed a prominent senator
when questioned whether his predi-
leetions lay in the way Of prohibition.
You can say that this senate will
agree to a constitutional amendment
upon prohibition going Ito the people,
This was the opinion of another sena-
tor who represents the young Stalwarts
and progressive element III the ranks of
the Republican party.
The two opinion give fair index of
the sentiment upon temperance leglsla-
ton in the senate. 1t is pretty much
mixed Oh the question of prohibition,
but a canvass of senators demonstrated
the fact that the second speaker quoted
is entirely too sanguine. Constitution
al prohibition will not come to the vote
of the people this year. 1t is question
able whether it will come within the
next five years. Temperance leaders
in the chamber agree that the next step
might be county local option. but there
was a decided expression that the pres
ent high license law was still upon Its
trial: that nothing should be done in
the way of temperance legislation until
this law had been thoroughly tested.
Republicans and Democrats were alike
agreed in this.
ThiTty-tWo senators were interviewed.
OF these five alone expressed unequiyo-
cal opposition to prohibition amend
ment: eight were in favor of it: four
supported county local option: and thir
teen came out strongly in declaring
that the present high license law should
be thoroughly tested before further
tampering with temperance laws.
81 am doubtful whether the people
are ready for it, said Senator Daniels.
He was one of the strongest supporters
of the high license law, and is keen
observer of men. This opinion Should
carry some weight, as he is an earnest
advocate of all reforms for the eleva-
ton, morally as well as spiritually, OF
the people.
The employment of state eonyicts is
question seriously exercising the prison
inspectors. and is one that must be
solved by the members of the IegiSla-
ture. The legislature of 1887 abolished
contract labor and it is for the Iegisla-
ture of 1889 to decide whether the state
shall return to that system of employ
ing convicts or set up an establishment
of its own. otherwise kncWn as the pub
lie account system. A canvass of SEN
ators shows that individually they are
one in saying that the convictS must not
be kept in idleness, but collectively they
are very much confused in deciding
what should be done. Here are few
expressions. taken at random, in reply
to the query: do you favor return
to the contract system of employing con
VictS?"
Senator Anderson-Mos certainly.
Senator Buwen-No.
Senator Brownies, under certain restric-
lions.
Senator Clough-1m undecided, but do not
believe III keeping them idle.
Senator Com pton-No; the state should run
that business.
Senator Crandall-rm not in favor of a re-
turn to contract. but must say it is better than
keeping convicts idle.
Senator Daniels-YeS, if the problem can
not be solved any other way.
Senator Finseth-Uudecided, sir; unde-
cided.
Senator Gibson-Put me down as ditto"
Senator Hali-Am awaiting the prison com
mittee's report.
Senator Hayden-No.
Senator HiXson-Let us work them some
Senator Hoard-We should give the state
account system q fair trial.
Senator Johnson, MIN waiting, patiently
waiting, for information.
Senator johnson, acknowledgements That
is what l want.
Senator Lende-Convicls should be en-
ployed. How: l can't say.
Senator Nachbar-Yes
Senator Pope-Put me down as ''unde-
cided."
Senator Sampson-I will think the matter
over.
senator schefer-Let the state experiment
little.
Senator Swenson-So say T.
Senator Whiteman-No; let us go in
thoroughly for the public account system.
The prison committees of the senate
and the house hold joint meeting when
this subject is expected to be exhaust
lively dealt with.