St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-23
IGNATIUS' BAD BREAK
The Sage Leaves Alliance
Senators in the Lureh at a
Critical Point.
Enabling One Of Gov. Mer-
RAMS Pets to Hold Down
a Lucrative Position.
In Direct Opposition to the
Expressed Wish Of 10000
Farmers.
House Members Take a Twill
at Debate With Very
Lively Result.

Yesterday was a field day for the Al
lance and Democratic majority In the
state senate. OF course the appoint
ments of Col. w. NJ. Liggett as railroad
commissioner and W. p. Huntington
for trustee of the soldiers home were
confirmed, but neither OF them had
much to boast of in their victory, the
opposition to Col. Liggett being so
strong and persistent that Gen. san
born, although a friend of Mr.. Llggett,
was impelled to declare in a short
speech that were he i'll Mr.. Liggett's
place he would refuse to take the otfice.
But the representatives of the agrl-
cultural interests did score a victory,
and a very great one, too, turning down
or rejecting all but four Of the gentle
men named by Gov. Merriam for menu
bers of the board of equalization.
The senate went into executive ses-
sion shortly after IL o'clock, and things
began to warm up at once. Inc nrSt
appointment to be considered was that
of w. 2. Huntington for trustee of the
soldiers home. Owing to the fact that
no one was ready to present charges
his friends pushed things to a vote, ana
he was confirmed, several Republican
senators voting with the minority party
against confirmation.
The name of Col. Liggett was
Next Taken Up,
and Senator John b. Hompe, of Otter
Tail, made Il strong speech against COIL
tirmation. He was followed by MIR.
DOnnelly, who, to the surprise OF his
Alliance allies, declared in favor of Mr..
Ligeett. He argued that the latter
should not be blamed for the mistakes
made by the present board of commits
siOners, evidently seeking to create the
impression that when the name OF
Judge Williams came up he would be
ready to vote to reject him.
II am surprised" said Senator HOmpe,
that the senator from Dakota should lie
found defending the railway commission.
The work of the commission mas Deen un-
satisfactory, and the appointment OF Mr.:
Ligzett shows that it is not the intention OF
GOV. Merriam to appoint men that are saus-
factory to the agricultural interests OF the
state. This appointment is made i'll the III
tercsts of the wheat rings, and we farmers,
protest against this mans conhrma1on1n the
name of the 0.000 farmers who voted for ).
NJ. Owen at the late election. The sub
serviency of the railway commission TO the
lullIOuuS luNt lOICCu No ~ "
most of us have in the past acted with that
party, into the Alliance"
Vigorous Protests.
Senator Lommen,o of Polk, made a strong
appeal for rejection, and Senators
Probstfeld and Crate also expressed
themselves vigorously against cOntrma-
ton.
Next came the feature of the session.
personally SAID Gen. Sanborn, II am
friendly to Mr.. Liggett and to the governor.
but L recognize the business of this oppoSi'
ton to his confirmation The fact that every
senator representing a wheat growing dis
district is opposed to him should be reason
enough to make Col Liggett decline The ap-
pointment-at least, that is what should do,
If placed in the same position. Thu farmers
who raise wheat in this state are entitled TO a
man in this position in sympathy with them.
For this reason | shall vote against confirm
ing Mr.. Liggett."
DOnneIly Bolts.
Senators Searles, McfIale and Canes
torp were excused, and the voting com
menced. With the single exception of
MIR. DonnelIy. the Alliance senators
voted sOlidly against confirmation. They
were Joined by a number of Democrats,
but the Benson political farmer pulled
through by a scant majority.
II supposed the senator from Dakota rep
resented the Alliance said enalOr Frank
A. Day. with n smile, "out | am surprised To
fnd that the Alliance senators are all voting
against him."
This sally created considerable
amusement, and caused the Sage OF
Nininger to move rather uneasily in his
seat. When the laughter subsidized the
sage took the floor and remarked:
Il am voting for Donnelly and no one
else"
With One SvVOOp.
The board of equalization next came
up anGtthe entire board WAS rejected
with the following exceptions:
William Lindeke, of St. Paul: Daniel
| Bassett. of Minneapolis; William Thomas,
of Mankato, and j. f.. Croker. of Duluth.
Indeed this was considered as certain
for several days-so certain that at the
| request of Gov. Merriam the following
| committee was appointed by the lieu.
tenant governor to wait upon his excel
lency and discuss the matter:
Senators Hompe and Probstfield, Of the
Alliance: March and Brown. of the Demo
Gratis, and Glader and Dean, of the kepuDli
| cans.
To this committee, which called upon
the governor Wednesday morning, the
chief executive agreed to fix the board
up to the satisfaction of the senators
| and without regard to party, requesting
| the senators from the various ulntricte
to hand in names of men for cOnSidera'
ton. The full list of officers conlirnlet
| follows:
Lucky AppOintees.
Trustee Soldiers home, W. p. Huntington
| OF Redwood Falls.
Member board railway commissioners, W
NJ. Liggett, of Benson.
Oil inspector. sam II. Nichols. of st. Paul
Boiler inspectors, First district, c. j. Miller
| of Mower: Charles A. Bison. of Slbiey: i
| G, Bl oomtield, OF Kandiyohi: X. G. Clark, o
| Ramsey; W. D. Tomlin, of st. Louis.
State board Of equalization, William Lin
deke, ST. Paul; Daniel Bassctl, OF Mime
apoIis; J. E. Cooley. Duluth; William
Thomas. MAnkatO.