St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-25
The State Constitution Con-
sidered Good Enough for
Present Purposes,
Although a Large Minority
Are Of Opinion That 1t Is
Very imperfect,
And Inadequate to Meet the
Requirements of the Com
monWealth.
Railroad Officials Turn Out in
Force in Opposition to the
Curpier Bill.

The house accomplished good days
work yesterday. The routine OF the
session was over by IL o'clock. a few
bills were introduced, and thence Oh,
with short recess for lunch, to after
O'Clock representatives were engaged
in recording their votes for the final
passage of house files. The only de-
bate that took place was upon the keyeS
bill for a constitutional convention.
which came up when the house wen
into the committee of the Whole, with
Mr.. Walsh, +. A., in the chair
Mr. Keyes. of Winona, delivered a very
able address in support of his bill. He
argued that the present constitution was
an imperfect one there were thirty-nine
amendments already attached to it. 1t
was absolutely necessary, in the best in
tcreSts of the state, that the constitution
should be overhaued by the people.
Mr.. Gallagher, of Hennepin, took up
the same view lad the constitution
been perfect one the cities of Mime
apoliS and st. Paul could not have
thrown away such valuable franchises
TO the city railway company. The PEG.
pie should have an opportunity of de-
Gliding whether they wanted new con-
Stltution or not.
Mr. Lomen. of Ramsey, had not heard
any reasons why a constitutional con-
vention should be held. He personally
did not deem it necessary, and moved
its indefinite poStponemeut-
NJ. Gildea, Of Pipestone. said there
was widespread dissatisfaction among
the people respecting the present con-
sttutlon.and he could not see any harm
in submitting the question-Shall we
have q constitutional c0nVentiOn?-to
the people.
MI TurreII, of Redwood, approached
the question With diffidence. He had
not heard any demand by the people for
a constitutional convention. and for
that reason was opposed TO it. Besides
they could not hold such convention
without seriously unSettling all the
business interests of the state. That
reason at this time was also sufficient to
deter them from passing this bill.
MI Stark. of Freeborn, concurred.
Mr. Currier, OF Blue Earth, looked
upon the bill as the most important be-
fore the legislature. A majority of the
people were cIamoring for reform leg
islation. No sooner were bills intro
duced to gain this point than they ran
mp against the constitution. 1t was,
therefore. desirable that new c0nStI-
tuition should be framed.
Mr., Greer, of WabaSha. was opposed
to the bill. 1t was matter to be de-
eided later whether il was wise or UNI
wise that the constitution, as the gen
tleman from Blue Earth said, preeluded
the passage of certain so-called reform.
Mr.. Gallagher. of Hennepin, strenu-
ously declared that, on the part OF the
people. there was demand tor new
constitution.
Mr.. Stivers. of Crow Wing. Endorsed
what had been said against the bill.
The holding a constitutional convention
would make capital shy. 1t was abso-
lutely necessary for the welfare of the
state that they should not do anything to
frighten away capital.
Mr.. Gallagher-llOw is this constltu-
tiunal convention going to keep out
capital? Did it do so in other states.
Mr. StyerS-t do not know about
other states: but ] do know thiS-that
if you are going to revise the constitu-
ton becauSe-as it has been given ont
we cannot handle corporations, etc,
under the present constitution, | ask IS
that not menace to capital?
Mr.. Bjorge. of Otter Tail, considered
the people wanted new constitution,
and he supported the bill.
Mr.. CapSer. OF Stearus, opposed.
Mr.. KeyeS replied TO the discussion.
He denied constitutional convention
would injure the interests OF the state
4 vote was taken upon Mr.. Lomen's
motion to indefinitely postpone. For,
Is; against, 80.
When the committee rose motion
was made to except the report OH this
bill and the ayes and nays were called.
The motion was lost, those for and
AGAINST the hill being