St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-12
The Senate the Scene OF a
Drawn Battle on the
Usury Bill.
Sultry Scenes During the De-
bate and a Charge Of
Corruption.
A Majority Clearly Against
the Imposition OF Double
Penalty.
The Troublesome Contention
No Nearer a Solution
Than Before.

Than Before.
There have been drawn battles In the
Minnesota senate in past years, but
there have been few. indeed, more hot
ly contested than The one waged yester-
day over the interest question. The
day commenced with the odds slightly
IN favor of the Sage i'll his contest for
the old uSury laws, but as the day wore
on his cause was weakened by his fa-
Voring the adding the penal clause in
the committee bill to the forfeiture
clause in The present law. The sena-
tors were ready to accept one or the
other of them, but the majority were
against the imposition of both. As
Senator John Day Smith put it:
II am opposed to confScating all a
mans property and then sending him
to the penitentiary."
When the Sage realized that he was
destined to lose the battle his temper
rather got the beSi of him. and he made
speech that cost him many friends.
lie asserted that he had been told that
the bankers of the state had raised a
fund OF $4,000 to use on the senate in
this fight. This made sensation, and
was promptly met by the little giant
from Meeker moving that committee
Of five, with the senator faOm Dakota
as chairman, be appointed to lnvesti-
gate these charges. This astounded
the Sage, and he declared that Senator
Keller was his authority in the matter.
This brought the senator from Stearns
to his feet, who denied the whole mat
ter. and claimed that he had merely
told the Sage of the means that were
used to kill banking bill introduced
by him four years ago.
Although a number of the sections of
the Davis bill were adopted yesterday,
the interest bill Is really no nearer
solution than it was at the commence
ment of the battle and the chances are
about even as between the cOntending
factions.
Opening Routine.
The senate commenced its session vester-
day il the most peaceaple manner inlagina-
bic. The prayer of the chaplain was brief
apd to the point, and the Introduction of
bills was reached, as well as passed, without
an unkind word being spoken. The follow
ing measures were read and referred:
Mr.. Hompe, S. F. 54j-Providing for elec-
ton of railway commissioners
Mr.. Barr, s. F. 546-Fixing time of election
in Amboy. Blue Earth county.
Mr.. Barr, S. F. 547-Fixing compensation
of the judge of probate of Blue Earth
county.
Mr.. Barr, s. F. 54s-Fixng compensation
of court commissioners. Blue Earth county
Mr.. Glader, ). F. 549-Appropriating money
for bridge.
Mr.. Ayres, S. F. 550-Appropriating money
for bridge in Mower county.
Mr.. Probstfed, 5. F. 551-Relating to the
running at large of cattle in Clay county.
Mr.. Davis, s. Z. 552-Making provision for
special terms district court
E. r. Smith. S. F. 553-Amending probate
code.
Mr.. Borchert s. F. 554-Relating to roads
in Renville county.
Mr.. Nelson. S. +. 555-Relating to service of
papers in civil actions.
Mr.. McHaJe, 5. f. 5JS-Reimbursing II. B.
Strait s., 600 for services i'll securing the pas
sage OF the direct tax refunding bill.
Mr.. McHale, 5. f. 555-Amending game
laws.
bridge in Olmsted county across Zumbro
river in town of Oronoko.
MI. Mayo, :. F. 559-Providing penalties for
arceny of cattle.
Mr.. John Day smith. S. F. 56O-Amend,ng
penal code relating to cruelty to animals
Mr.. John Day Smith, s. F. 561-Amending
penal code and adding a section Furnishing
cruelty to children.
Mr.. Geissel, :. F. 562-AuthOrizing Brainard
to issue bonds.
Committee reports were taken up and
heard for time without formal action. How
ever when Senator Dav local legislation
favorable reports were taken up and passed:
s. F. 532-Amending charter of Albert Lea
5. F. 47S-FiXing salary of judge of probate
of Olmsted county.
The Usury Bill.
'The time has arrived for the special
order said Senator Hompe. ''and Senate
File No. is now before the senate
AS Sson as this announcement was out of
the mouth of the chairman, Mr.. Donnelly
his feet and paH q
speech for his side of the measure He re
ferred to number of petitions which he had
received, and read number of letters. The
old usury laws must stand, he declared or he
would vote against the bill reported He
was followed by Senator La Due on behalf of
the committee on banks, who made the fol
lowing statement of his position:
When the committee on banks and bank
ing, composed of Republicans, Democrats
and Alliance senators, had under considera-
ton change III our interest laws. there was
but one question which entered into the
mind of any member of that committee. and
that was: What change can we make in our
present laws that will benefit the borrower?
In other words. how could we frame a bill
that would meet the popular demand by re-
ducing the rate of interest to per cent and
per cent, punish the usurer and vet retain
in the state sufficient volume of money to
meet the pressing needs of our people?
These were the questions gentlemen of the
senate, that governed the action of the COM
nittee, and we tried to meet them in d way
that would be just to all and best serve
the interest of the people we are sent here
to represent; and when we had agreed upon
Senate File No 315 We thought we had
framed a bill that would be satisfactory 10
the older and wealthier counties in the
state, and enable the settlers on our frontier
to prepare for the change and avoid panic.
And gentlemen. Ill the interest of the peO-
pie | represent. ] wish this bill might be-
come a law, Notwithstanding the senator
from Wright, in doleful tones of warning, de-
clared the committee bill was born of an un-
holy combination. made for an unholy pur-
pose. If the main objict of the supporters
ish.usury, then am free to admit that the
passage of this bill with the pen
atty clause added will accomplish
the desired result, for it will drive
capital out of our state, there will be no
money to l0aD. and consequently no usury.
Then the evil effects of this law Will be ap-
parent to all, and in particular to those whose
alternative to save their homes except re-
newal of these loans
The senator from Wright during the de-
bate. made 4 comparison between my native
state of New York and that of my adoption
Minnesota. The conditions in these two
states are totally different. The former is a
loaner of money, the latter borrower Now
is there man on this floor who would
knowingly support any measure that would
a view of lessening the price? If
so, it rests with him to show
how this can be brought about Will the
Eastern capitalist send his money here after
we have enacted Il law that may put him
where he will lose the principal? ! think
not. Now, if Eastern money Is withdrawn
and we are to depend upon our resources the 4