St. Paul daily globe., 1889-05-23
The Commissioner of Labor
Has Been Legislated Out
Of Office.
Governor Merriam Holds the
Trump Cards and Can Die
tate Terms.
This Means That Messrs.
Johnson and Cronin Will
Be Overlooked.
Fire Department Chief Jack
son Is in a Much Worse
Pickle.


The position of Labor Commissioner
Lamb is kin to thatof the unfortunate
individual who isreported to have found
himself between the devil and the deep
sea. During the recent session of the
legislature, Mr. Lamb labored inceS-
sanity for the passage of Il bill re-organ
izing the labor bureau. The Ostensible
object Mr.. Lamb had in view was to Sc
cure the appointment OF two deputy
misSiOners attached to his depart
ment. The bill became a law, and
$500 was appropriated to carry out
it's provision. This provided
salary of $l,50O annually for the chief
commissioner, $1,000 for each of the two
deputies. $1,000 for clerk and $4,000
for travelling and contingent expenses.
Commissioner Lamb was naturally
eleted upon the passage of the bill, as
his department was placed in position
to do some material service in the direc-
ingly, when Gov. Merriam retu rned
from New York, he was shortly con-
fronted by Mr.. Lamb, who wished to
present two names for his approval as
deputy labor commissioners. They
were those Of James A. johnson
and John L. Cronin, of st. Paul.
1t was reported that Gov. Merriam re-
fused to confirm the appointments, and
directed Commissioner Lamb to present
two other names more acceptable to
him. This is untrue. What the gov
ernOr said was this: That before he
took any action upon the appointment
of two deputy labor commissioners, he
must first decide who the chief COM
missioner was to be. Commissioner
Lamb stood aghast! had not he al
ready been appointed commissioner?
Gov. Merriam acknowledged that he
had so appointed Mr.. Lamb, but eX-
planned that the new law reorganizing
the labor bureau legislated the commits
sioner out of Office. Copies of the old
was seen that section l Of the law of
1887, establishing bureau of labor sta
tiSticS, read:
That the governor. with the advice and
consent of the senate, is hereby authorized
and directed to appoint as soon after the
passage OF this act as may be and thereafter
annually on the first Monday i'll the month
of January suitable person to act as com
missioner of labor Statistics and with head
quarters at the capitol.
The first section of the amended and
new law is identical to that OF the old
one, except in one important particular
the commission is hereafter to be ap-
pointed for term of two years, instead
of one year, as heretofore. Commits
office, and in this labor imbrogliO Gov.
Merriam holds the leading card. The
question is now asked-who will be
labor commissioner? There is little
doubt but that Commissioner Lamb
will succeed himself. Three months
ago Gov. Merriam gave him reap
pointment to that post, and there must
be some very peculiar reasons if he
new goes back upon one of his own
appointees. He did not do so
in the case of the prison inspectors, re-
appointed by him and then legislated
out of office. But while it is at all un-
likely the changed situation of affairs
will affect Mr.. Lamb, it will have
material bearing upon the appointment
OF deputy commissioners. 1t is very
questionable whether J. A. Johnson and
j. +. Cronin are again heard Of i'll this
connection, though Commissioner Lamb
AYERS he knows of no two men better
wide difference between Fitness and
''eXpediency," as future DEVELOPMENTS
will show. Gov. Merriam will now an
nounce mis- choice of chief commissioner,
and, under the law, that individual will
''appoint clerk and two deputies
(whose names shall first be submitted to
the governor for his approval; and said
commissioner shall not appoint any
clerk or deputy whose name so sub
mitted to the governor is not by him
approved(." When originally introduced
in the house the bill did not contain this
proviso, but, when before the senate.
Gov. Merriam secured the insertion of
the qualifying words. His object was
to keep the bureau to some extent under
the control of the executive department
TO prevent an independent and ire
sponsible bureau working alongside
other state departments.
WORSE THAN A WOODCHUCK.
A Recently Enacted Law That