The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-02-15
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
MfnnasOtn

committee or the whole.
In the senate Mr.. Whiteman intro
duced measure to carry out the recon-.
mendations of Governors Merriam and
McGill that the terms of the railroad
commissioners be made six years in
stead of three, and their salaries 30 600
instead of $500.
Other bills were introduced, among
them one to extend county auditors and
treasurers' terms to four years. The
measure to prevent fraudulent wearing
of the Grand ARMY badge was passed,
and the senate az IL o'clock went into
executive session On the Huntington APP
pointment. A special committee was ap-
pointed to report On the nomination.
The reform school committee reported
Ramsey county. An amendment was
site for q new state capitol, but was lost.
ST. PAUL, Feb! Elm the house the
printing commit tee reported back the
legislative manual bill with favorable
recommendations, and it was passed.
At noon Professor Folwell was to have
addressed the assembly on the single tax
question, but was unable to do so &C
count of illness. The matter of railroad
fares between st. Paul and Minneapolis
was referred to special committee, a
bill providing that railroad fares between
cities of over 100000 population should
not exceed li2 cents per mile having
been introduced. A large number OF
local and unirhportant bills were intro
duced and referred
The only matter on special orders for
to day wasMr, Sevatson's resolution call
ing for the appointment of special
committee on railroad construction and
watered stock. Mr.. Crossfeld with
drew his substitute, which provided for
the work being done by the standing
committee n railroads. Mr.. Sevatson
obtained the floor and proceeded to just
ify the action of the special committee OF
the last session on this subject, and urged
the necessity of the investigation pro-
posed. Mr.! Underwood spoke of his
thirty years. experience in the construc-
ton of railroads, and spoke as one hav-
ing knowledge of the subject He thought
that such information as a special COM
mittee would obtain would be useless,
because great deal of time would be
required, and this cannot be taken by a
house committee. But the railroad COM
missioners have the authority to do this
work and it should be given them. Mr..
Forbes read the law which gives the au-
thority to the railroad commissioners to
make investigations in the line contem-
plated by the resolution. These remarks
were in accord with the substitute OF
Mr.. Casper. Mr.. Benson said that there
had been altogether too much of an I'M
friendly spirit in legislative considera-
ton of railroad matters, and he thought
it ought not to be manifested. He re-
ferred to, the first session Of the legisla-
ture which he ever attended thirty years
ago, which was the second session haid
in the state. 81 speak feelingly on this
subject he SAID, "becauss / was in the
legislature when there was not mile. of
railroad in tie state and not mile with
IN Go ntiies of US. We wanted railroads
then and we did all we could to get
them. I'VE enacted legislation to aid
their building. Now look at the i'm
provement In the last few decades; it
has been wonderful. What did it? The
railroads did it. We have had a goose
among us that has laid golden eggs for
many years-precious eggs that we
should highly prize. But how have we
been tresting this valuable bird? Have
we been giving her good place to stav,
and kept her from the dogsP Haven't
we set dogs upon herr We have done
worse-we have let demagogues get at
her. Then Mr.. Benson spoke of the
great civilizing influences of the rail-
roads and the benefits to the country of
the great land grants. He referred feel
ingly to the gentlemen who secured the
giants
Mr.. Lane called attention to the fact
that it costs as much to transport freight
from st. Paul to st. Vincent as from New
York to st. Paul. He called for the
special investigation. He had little
tilt with Mr.. Underwood, each denying
the others statements. Mr.. Ellington
spoke in favor of the special committee.
Then Mr.. Crossfield made strong
speech against the special investigation,
saving that 1t is useless because the leg
islature has the power to require the
nation desired. Mr.. Underwood asked
If the proposed special committee could
find of any avenues of information now
that were not open to the former inves-
tigating committee. He stated that Eric
Olsen, who was employed by that COM
mittee as railroad expert" is not
considered by railroad men as an ex-
pert, or as one having any knowledge
whatever of the railroad construction or
management.
Mr.. Crossfield offered substitute to
SSS. Casper's substitute, the former re-
quoting the governor to require the
railroad commissioners to furnish the
information desired. Mr.. Estes said
that he Understood that the railroad
commissioners now have the informa-
ton wanted. Mr.. Smith took up Mr..
Benson's goose story and answered the
latter's question-"What have we been
feeding this goose on?"-by holding up
his empty wallet and saying, eve have
been feeding her upon the contents of
our pocket books" He thought that
both farmers and business men desire
the investigation contemplated by the
resolution, and he would favor the APP
pointment of special committee. Mr..
II. +. Stevens proposed an amendment
which was the same as the original res
olution, except that it omitted reference
his feet and pleaded for JUSTICE" say
ing good deal about Jim Hill and his
live stock, and the good he has done to
the state in many ways. Mr.. jacobson
made a speech in which he rose to a
very high tone of voice, and asked
where would the railroads be without
the people. Mr.. Lane proposed an
amendment to the effect that the rail-
road commissioners should furnish the
special committee with tine information
required. Then Mr.. Bush sent an
amendment to Mr.. Crossfeld's substI-
tute requesting report to be presented
to the house within ten DAYS. Then the
house got mixed up. 1t was 80 mixed
up in substitutes and amendments that
MIR. Davenport, who was then occupy
ing the chair, finally said: "Well, gen.
tlemen, straighten it out yourselves"
Speaker Graves came to the rescue, and
after the committee of the whole had
risen and after debate of an hour and
a half, Mr.. Hay asked, "What is the oc-
casion of the appointment of special
committee" This occasIoned laugh,
but not great surprise in view of the fact
that neither this question nor any other
definitely, surely and concisely answer
by a vote of 46 to % against.
The house then adjourned until q
O'Clock Monday,
Senator Whiteman has introduced q
bill to amend an act regulating common
carriers and creating the board of rail-
road and warehouse commissioners |
The bill provides that after the first
Monday of January, 1890, the railroad
shall be appointed as fol-
lows: On the first Monday in January, |
1890, the Governor shall appoint sue
cessor to the commissioner whose term
of office will expire on said day, who
shall hold Office for four years; on the
first Monday in January, 1891, he shall
appoint successor to the commissioner |
whose term of Office will expire on said |
day, who shall hold Office for five years;
and on the first Monday of January,
1892, and every second year thereafter,
the Governor shall appoint a commits |