St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-31
Ramsey Legislators Again
Transact Public Business
With Closed Doors.
The Republican Members
Largely Responsible for
This EXcluSiveneSS.
Action Upon the Salaries Of
County Officers Tempo
rarily Deferred.
c. N. Bell Fathers Another OF
His New-Fangled Notions
Upon the Delegation.

Another "star chamber session Of
the Ramsey county delegation was held
in the Office of the corporation attorney
last night. When Gen. Sanborn emerged
from the sacred chamber he announced
10 the representatives of the press that
nothing whatever had been done. In
contradiction of this Representative
Bell quietly gave the reporters a tip
that the meeting was an important and
lively one. But perhaps Messrs. Bell and
Sanborn are at variance in their judg-
ment of what is Important. The fact
remains, however, that these very exec
utiye and exclusive representatives of
the good county of Ramsey talked and
wrangled over matters of more or less
Importance for over three hours. If
they did anything they are ashamed to
have revealed to the people whom they
are supposed to serve, they were dis
Greet enough to protect themselves by
excluding the representatives of the
press, who are also the represent
atives of the people. 1t may
be said with credit to the
Democratic members Of the delegation
that the star chamber idea originated on
the other side of the house. Represen-
tatiVe Ringwald was the first man to in
iect life into hist nights meeting, for
he had very large-sized protest to en-
ter when the minutes of the preceding
meeting were read by the secretary. He
didn't want the delegation to go Oh rec
ord as an aceuSer of an honest man and,
therefore, moved that the portion of the
minutes referring to the action of the
last meeting in regard to the abstract
Office be StrickenOu.t representative Bat
tley seconded Mr.. RiugWaId, and made
a rousing speech in defense of Mr.. Muir
name. He took the action of the last
meeting as direct insult to the alb
Stract clerk. and insisted that it was an
III-Direcfed IusinuatiOn
that there had been corruption in the
office. Mr.. Battley went on to say that
the Indictment against Mr.. Murnane
was caused by the action of the Ramsey
county delegation. Finally the delega
ton unanimously revoked all that it
had ever done in reference to the alb
stract Office.
The most important measure consid-
cred by the meeting was bill proposed
by Representative Bell. This bill pro-
vides that there shall be a monthly con-
ference of all the heads OF the va
Tious departments of the munich
pality of st. Paul. At these monthly
conferences the head of each depart
ment must submit report to verify
the cash balance charged to his depart
ment. Mr.. Bell contends that an accu-
rate check can be kept upon all the de-
partments by this method. The bill
was thoroughly discussed and finally
recommended to pass. Mr.. Bell pre-
scented another bill. which provides for
an earlier apportiOnment or the tax
levy each year and the issuance of GER
tificates amounting to so per cent of the
tax levy before it is made. This meas
ure was laid ever until the next meet
ing.
A bill authorizing the city council to
lease portion of the West side levee
for the proposed stove works, was rec
commended.
City officials may breathe easy again
for a few days, for the delegation failed
to recommend reduction of salaries.
The matter was discussed. but no def
mite action was taken. The majority of
the delegates, however, seemed 10 favor
what they term "a reduction on a slid
ing scale," whatever that may imply.
Reihlen Champagne.
Ouartc SI5 Pintr 917