St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-03
The Governors Spine UnS
equal to the Pressure Of
Partisan Politics.
Unmindful Of His Promise, He
Vetoes the Minneapolis
Charter.
Caustie Overhauling Given
the Executive by Repre-
sentative Lynn.
A Day Of Reckoning Soon to
Dawn in the City Up =
the River.

pQI lOI u
liar, even though he be the executive of
the state" exctedly exclaimed Repre-
sentative Lynn, of Minneapolis, as he
hurried out Of the governors Office yes
terday. He said this to the governor him
self, in the presence of Representative
Tripp, and two angrier men than the
two sOlOns could not have been found
in days journey.
The governor had just vetoed the
Minneapolis charter bill.
''He gave me his word that he would
not veto it unless there were constitu-
tional objections" continued Mr.. LYNN.
land now he admits that he did it only
because he could not stand the press
ure."
There was more excitement in the ex-
ecutive wing of the capitol, yesterday
afternoon, than las been seen there for
many a day. The voluminous docu-
ment known as Senate File 12S, the new
Minneapolis charter. lay on the govern
or's private desk. 1t was the last day
of grace. Unless the governor acted
yesterday the bill would have become a
law by limitation without his ST gnature.
Down from Minneapolis poured swarm
of politicians-all of the Republican per-
SuasiOn-and they buZZed about the eX-
ecutive ear like hive of bees. The
fat. sleek face of T. NJ. Johnson had
lost its usual serenity and was almost
agonlZed In It's expression as he be-
sought the governor to write 81 forbid"
The dark Machiavellan face of Senator
ID. NJ. ClOugh was conspicuous in the
fNEl VOL liz,
also an anxious petitioner, and there
were dozens of others. There were no
Democrats among them. They were
simply Republican politicians. The
governor and his conscience alone
know all that was poured into his ear.
Democratic members of the house and
senate were urged to interfere.
No; he promised us and that is
enough" they said.
But it was not enough. The govern
Or'S spine was hammered last week and
could not now stand the pressure. Per-
hapS thought of his minority in Min
neapols last November stole gently
over his memory. He took up his pen
and wrote a veto message, beneath
which the loved and hOnored principle
of local self-gOvernment lay scared and
bleeding. Just outside the door stood
c. NJ. Foote, f. 5. HOibrook and several
other Minneapolis Democrats, and to
them the news was waited.
Never mind" said Charley Foote,
soothlngly to the others, from govern
ors we appeal to the people: If the
righteous wrath of Minneapolis does
not rise up to rcbuke this act Pm no
prophet"
Meantime some one had sent word to
the house that the governor wanted to
see the Hennepin delegation 1t was
not correct, but most Of the delegation
came before it could be recalled. Rep
resentatives Lynn, Reeve, Trpp,
Penney, DareliuS and ChrlStlieb had de-
scended the stairs, but all returned ex-
cept Messrs. Lynn and Trip, who
entered the executive chamber. They
could not realize it. Both had been in
formed by the governor that he would
not veto the bill. They saw the govern.
or, and what Mr.. Lynn said to him
Gov. Merriam will never Write beneath
the crest on his Sunday coach. The
smile OH the governors face was nOt
one OF pride nor Of pleasure.
His typewriter clicked for moment,
and then his black messenger was sent
to the senate with the bill and the veto.
Most of the Hennepin representatives
had gathered in the upper house, and q
storm was darkly brewing. The senate
Geissel i'll the chair; but the committee
rose presently, and Senator Stevens ass
sumed the gayel. The message had
been delivered during the committee,
and there was a sharp parliamentary
skirmiSh to keep it out. The moment
Senator Stevens took The chair motion
to adjourn was made, but Senator j. ID.
Smith asked to have the message from
the executive spread upon the record.
Senator Craven made the point of order
that it could not be received now, bur
WAS mandatory Oh this point. and
ordered the message read. 1t was adj
dressed to the lieutenant governor and
was as follows:
l beg to return herewith without nv ap-
prOval Senate File No. 12S entitled "a bill to
revise, amend aud consolidate the charter Of
the city of Minneapolis, 10 unite the various
boards and departments of said city,
This bill seeks to change the organic act OF
one OF the largest municipalities i'll hlinne-
sofa, creating an entirely new plan for the
government of the city Of Minneapolis and
inaugurating a cenTaliZation OF power
which is contrary 10 the best public policy.
Under ordinary circumstances, it has been
the custom OF The executive office TO inter-
pose no objections TO what is known as local
legislation, but inasmuch this is 10 ba
practically the constituu on OF a city, in
population. one-SeVentn of the size of tho
SHllIG Sldlc. anu AndStNucu Us numerous pro-
tests have been offered by large number Of
people of the city, feel impelled to return it
believing that under the circumstances it
would be wiser to submit this proposed city
charter TO the people of the city for their ap-
proVal or disapproyal.
In detail, as Il further objection, urge that
the bill is loosely ana inaccurately drawn.
containing provisions which from feir am
biguity will inevitably lead TO mlseonstruc-
tion and litigation. and for this reason, if for
none other, it should be again reviewed be-
fore ii becomes Il law. Very respectfully,
W. II. MERRIAM, Governor.
There was an ominOus silence and
then the senate adjourned. The clouds
that hung lowering over the western
horizon were summer cirri compared
with the faces of the Minneapolis dele
cation. When the Legislature meets to-
day there will be round of music to
which his eXcellency viii dance but
poorly.