The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-01-22
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
Whist tAs 27th Legislators q llinnssots
y Doing.
ST.. PAUL, Jan. 17.--Hlthough the
27th Legislature assembled at the Capt.
toll on the 9th day Of the month, and
each house went through the usual
opening exercises it was not until noon
of the 18th that the body in both
branches was formally organized. The
officers OF the Senate were elected and
fairly installed on the second day OF
converting as soon as the Democrats
and Alliance had allied their forces and
agreed upon whom should be chosen.
The House moved more slowly. The
same question arose in the lower branch
as did in the Senate, viz, the division
OF the offices and committees. With
three parties almost equally divided,
there being Al Republicans, Il Demo
Gratis and 80 Alliance men it was of
course impossible for either one Of the
three parties to effect an organization.
Two of the parties must combine.
There must be concessions made upon
both sides. Ostensibly the fight was
over the speakership and for three days
the House voted Searle, Rep. Al; Champ
lin, Al.32, Stivers, D. II, with clock-like
regularity. But under all this was the
question of committees. The Republi-
cans and Democrats were not expected
to agree to a combination. The Repub-
licans and the Alliance could not, and
finally on Friday the third day of the
session a combination between the
Democrats and Alliance was effected
and Mr.. Champlin was elected Speaker
with the rest of the officers about even
~ divided between the two parties. In
the disposition of committees it was
agreed that the Democrats should have
first choice and the Alliance second and
so on through the list of standing COM
mittees. Speaker Champlin, up to this
date has not yet made the announce
ment.
No bills were presented in the House
until the afternoon of the 18th, and the
honor, if honor it be, of presenting the
first bill belongs to Mr.. Lynn, of Henne-
pin, who presented House File No. /, it
being local bill relating to the city of
Minneapolis, and was passed under sus-
pension of the rules. After passing
several local bills under suspension the
House came to the conclusion that that
was not the way to transact business
and resolution was passed providing
that all bills should be submitted to
committee before passed.
On Thursday an exception was made
and 5. +. was passed under suspension
OF rules. The bill appropriates $3.50, 900
or so much thereof as may be necessary
to defray legislative expenses. There
was no objection. When it comes to
payment OF salaries, the average legis-
lator is unanimous, no matter to what
political party he may belong.
That the present House will look af-
ter the agricultural interests of
the state, was evident from the begin
ming. One of the first movements in
this direction was the resolution intro
duced by Mr.. Setterlund of Traverse
County. The resolution is as follows:
Whereas, The agricultural interests
OF this state are likely to become great
" embarrassed by the trust known as
the American Harvester Company, and
Whereas, It is believed that the re-
port OF the dissolution of said company
is only ruse, and that there will be a
reorganization thereof as soon as the
legislatures of the several states have
adjourned.
Therefore, be it Resolved bv the
House of Representatives, the Senate
concurring therein, that special com.
mittee of the House of Representatives
and Senate be appointed. Said com.
mlttees be authorized and instructed ia
make investigation as to legislation to
be had at this session, authorizing the
state OF Minnesota, whenever said com.
bine or one of like character shall be
organized, and at any time the Cover
nor OF this state may deem it necessary,
to manufacture agricultural machinery
at the Reformatory at St. Cloud or else
where in this state, and provide for the
sale thereof to farmers of this state at
actual COST on the basis of fair wages
to all labor employed therein. And said
committee is respectfully requested to
report the result of such investigation
to the House of Representative and
Senate at an early day.
Mr.. Bell of Ramsey, presented a res
olution which was adopted, appointing
committee to investigate and ascer-
tain if flax and grasses suitable for the
manufacture of binding Irvine can be
successfully raised in this state.
The House also passed a resolution
granting the use of it's chamber on each
Thursday night to the farmers and
their friends for discussion of such leg
islation as may be deemed necessary ia
the welfare of the agricultural com
munities The attendance is not to be
confined to members of the legislature
nor to farmers.
The question of newspapers came uu
on the 10th on a resolution of Currier.
OF Blue Earth, who desired to have q
weekly edition of the House Journal is.
sued and supplied to members in lieu
Of newspapers. A long, rambling fight
occurred. Finally a motion to Law an
amendment on the table prevailed and
the House thus without knowing II
tabled the whole matter. Then the
rules were suspended and the question
was taken up, and after an hour and q
half's discussion it was finally settled
by allowing each member 81 cents pe,
day for newspapers.
The Senate on the morning of the
10th adjourned until Monday. The
House finished all the business possible,
and as there was 70 likelihood of the
Speaker being abb. to announce the
committees for a day or two an ad.
journment was made until Mondrv. the
10th