The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-04-02
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
What the 27th Minnesota Legislature 70
r. Doing.

"h0e the 18th Minnesota LeGlslatur0 10
"a. Doing.
ST.. PAUL, March 3O.-The levisla-
ture now has nothing more to do ex-
cept to pass the bills that have already
been presented. Friday the 29th was
the last day for presentation of bills
and the entire day was thus occupied.
1875 measures were sent up and read by
the clerk. This legislature did not
quite catch up to the one two years ago
but it is close after it in number of bills
proposed. Two years ago the total
number was 1914, while the number
this year is 1896. 1t will be the same
this year as before, large number of
bills local and otherwise will never see
daylight outside the committee rooms
or will be left on the calendar when the
legislature adjourns and the members
will have to explain matters the best
they can when they return to their
homes.
The leading question before the leg
islature is the amending of the railroad
laws. There are two bills before the
House on the subject, one known as the
Searle bill, the other as the Currier bill.
Mr.. Searle explains his measure in the
daily papers. The principal and real
point at issue between the two is the
question of tariff. Whether the same
shall be maintained upon the basis of a
distance tariff" or upon terminal
tariff" In speaking of the bills Mr..
Searle says:
The substitute presented by me, rep
resenting the views of a majority of the
railroad committee, does not prohibit a
distance tariff nor do it's supporters
oppose distance tariff It does not
alter the present law which requires to
be fixed and published classification
of freights" in force upon each of the
railroad lines, a distance tariff and a
table of interstation distances; also, a
separate statement of terminal
charges" and any rules or regulations
which in any wise change, affect or de-
termine any part of the aggregate of
the aforesaid rates, fares and charges"
Mr.. Curriers' substitute does not
change this section except to add this
sentence: ''Such schedules shall also
contain copies of any and all terminal
lines of such railroad within the state,
lance tariff in use on the lines of said
railroad"
''This new provision in the language
here quoted is not found in the law of
any state or the interstate commerce
law. The ma ority of the railway COM
mittee construe this language to mean
that all terminal tariffs shall conform
to the distance tariffs, and that the
effect would be to abolish the terminal
tariff. We believe that the interests of
the outside towns having competing
roads of different lengths, and the agri-
cultural districts of our state are best
served by the terminal tariff from any
town to the terminal market, regard
less of what the distance tariff may be
between stations, so long as the provis-
ions of section six (6) of our present
law is in force, which prohibits great
err charge for a shorter than for longer
distance, the shorter being included
within the longer; and with full power
lodged in our commissioners and courts
to regulate any abuses or prohibit dis
cri limitations. We believe that the pro-
visions would absolutely destroy COM
petition between roads,"
The temperance committee reported
back the bill making liquor dealer
liable for damages that may occur to
persons who purchase liquor of said
dealer. The bill does not provide that
the purchaser shall be intoxicated, but
the fact that liquor was purchased and
injuries occur that are indirectly attrib-
utable makes the seller liable. The
committee reported in favor of indefi-
mite postponem ent. Upon the question
of adopting the report short spirited
debate sprang up. Knudson, of Blue
Earth desired the measure placed upon
general orders. This was favored by
Gildea, Carleton and others, while Cap
ser, Wacek and others vigorously op
posed the motion. The ayes and nays
were called. The result of the ballot
was yeas, Sc, nays 80. So the bill was
indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Walsh of Hennepin Co., present.
ed bill providing that the county COM
missioners of any county make arrange
ments with the cities of st. Paul and
Minneapolis for the keeping of persons
sentenced to jail for not less than sixty
days. Whenever such arrangements
arc made it shall be the duty of the
county commissioners t6 give public
notice thereof by publication in some
county paper for not less than four
weeks. The object of the bill is to pro-
vide a means for the detention and pun
isllment of persons convicted of INSIDE
,maanOrc not uravo opouuh RI ha cop< <o
the penitentiary, in counties where
there is no county Jail.
Mr.. Moore's bill relating to the care
of grain is to compel public elevators
to clean up and balance all grain stored
therein on Sept. of every year. Any
surplus of grain found therein shall be
sold by the state grain inspector, and
the proceeds thereof turned into the
state treasury to the account of the
grain inspection fund. No mixing
houses are to be located near enough to
an elevator to be connected with a
spout. Only three grades of wheat are
to be stored in bulk in such elevators
namely, No. 1, 3 and Northern, and
No. and hard are to be stored in
special bins for the different owners, so
that the owners can get their own iden-
tical wheat when so desired.
Saturday morning the House passed
the Senate resolution expunging from
the records the impeachment proceed
ings of Judge Julian Cox, that occurred
some years ago.
Mr.. Trip introduced bill requiring
the observance of seven legal holidays
in this state, including New Years day,
Washington's birthday, Decoration
day, Fourth of July, general election
day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas.
Mr.. Champlin has bill before the
House amending the law relating to
partition fences. The bill provides
owners of adjoining pasture or meadow
lands and using the same shall jointly
maintain partition fences. If any man
shall abandon the use of land enclosed
partly by partition fences, he shall not
have the right to remove his portion of
the said fence.