St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-04
AN EXTRA SESSION.
Worlds Fair Commissioners
Clamoring for an Extra
Appropriation,
And Are Urging Gov. Merriam
to Call the Legislators
Together.
1t Is Said That the Commits
sion Has Dropped Into
Politics.
Very Slim Chance That the
Legislature Will Be Con-
Vened.


sion of the legislature to pass a second ap-
preparation bill for the purpose of making a
state exhibit at the worlds fair?
This question is being discussed with SO
much vigor and earnestness by the papers of
the state that one unacauainted with the
situation might suppose thatal that is neces-
sary to be done is for the governor to call the
members of the present legislature back to
the capitol to insure the prompt passage of a
bill appropriating $4,000 or 100000 in addi-
ton to tine amount OF $4,000 noted last
winter; and, acting on this assumption
many of the prominent country papers are
calling i'll Stentorian tones upon his excel
lency to issue a cali for an extra session.
The plans they are suggesting are so absurd
that brief glance at the facts will show
that nothing can come from them.
1t is proposed that the members of both
houses serve without pay; and, second, that
they agree TO take up no other business.
While it is true that the members could
agree to serve without pay there is no prob
ability of them doing this. Indeed, many of
them are poor farmers and cannot afford the
time and expense that would be demanded
in this case. But this is not the only reason
mauy of their would assign in declining to
work for the great state of Minnesota for
nothing. AT the last session all those who
watched the proceedings of the two houses
will remember that
Repeated Attempts
were made to increase the worlds fair ap
preparation from SJ0.00Q to $780, 900 and even
S150,000. and how all these attempts were
defeated, the Alliance men especially tax
Ing the stand that in the present condition of
the states finances the amount appropriated,
$4,000, was quite enough.
There is no reason to suppose that these
men have changed their minds. or. further.
that they will change their IDEAS on this
matter. The Alliance men and others on
their side of the question, and there were
wi
them. would naturally enough decline to
enter into any agreement either to serve
without pay or to NEEDLE with nothing else.
and the governor Of Minnesota cannot call
the legislatuet TO meet in extra session and
limit the work it may do in his call as can
the governors of some states, notably Ten
nessee. The constitution OF Minnesota has
but little TO say i'll regard to special or extra"
sessions, but that little is plain on the point
in question. Here it is as it is written i'll ar
ticle ), section +:
He ethe governor) may on extraordinary
occasions convene both houses of the.legis-
lature.
When the last session came to an eng there
were number of important measures that
were killed by the adjournment. Some of
these were Alliance measures and some were
not and with the experience gained last
winter it does not take much of prophet to
foretell that an era of log-rolling and scram-
bling would be inaugurated that would not
be brought to an end for some time at least.
1Hc heDuDllCdil SONtTuOr VI tLe Sldl6, anu
not the combine" legislature would be re-
sponsible for all the errors of
Omission and Commission
committed, and there is more than a bare
possibility that he might have something to
be responsible for.
But Gov Merriam will not call an extra
session for any such purpose.
1t would not be popular in the end, and
the present chief executive of the state de-
sires TO be popular especially with that very
class of legislators who are opposed to a
large appropriation for the world fair.
Il am opposed to an extra session and an
other appropriation" said a member of the
lower house yesterday. for the simple rea-
son that think the commission has dragged
a little politics into this matter, and l for
one am not in favor of giving them any
more chances to pay off political debts.
What do | mean by this statement? Simply
this, that the action of the commissioners in
elecung L. P. Hunt, of Mankato, superinten-
dent OF the state exhibit at a large salary,
whether he is at work or not, sayors little
too much of practical politics and the pay
ment by the commission of some ones polit-
zeal debts. OF course the commissioners
deny that there was any politics in this ac
ton, but don't believe word OF their de-
mails. There is a very general impression
that Mr.. Hunt was elected solely because he
was and Is a Republican, and not on account
of any special fitness for the position.
While this, perhaps, may not prevent him
from making good officer when he learns
the business. the feeling exists and will GER
tainly have its effect upon the Alliance and
Democratic members of the Legislature, some
of whom feel that it is barely possible
that the extra appropriation is being demand
ed, not so much for the benefit of the state
as for the purpose of enabling Supt. Hunt
and the commissioners, or some OF them, to
pay few more political debts
The above interview may be wrong, but 1t
shows the existence of a feeling that would
prove dangerous to the success of an extra
session. That there is widespread feeling
that the appropriation of $4,000 made last
winter is to small, no one will deny The
sole question at issue seems to be: Will the
! calling of
An Extra Session
mend matters. Some think so, and Repre-.
sentative Joseph Roach, of Rice county, is
one of them. In speaking of this yesterday
he said:
Il am in favor of larger appropriation for
| the world fair exhibit, and believe If the
matter could be brought I'D at an extra ses-
sion bill appropriating $4,000. or even
| Sl0O,000 could be passed. There were great
many other bills calling for money before the
| lawmakers last winter, and it seemed
/ though cut had to be made somewhere. and
so many were willing to make il when the APP
| preparation for the big fair was up. Could
! the legislature meet with that subject only
! before 1t, it would go through. not without
! opposition, but by fair majority"
In the call issued by the commission each
! chamber OF commerce, board of trade, and
/ city and village council is invited to send
delegates to the convention to be held in the
house OF representatives, i'll the capitol. on
Aug. 49, In counties where there are no such
| organized bodies the chairman of the board
! OF county commissioners is invited to APP
| point delegates. The call is so broad that
! large convention is assured, and 1t seems
/ equally certain that the body will be largely
| in favor of the governor calling all extra
| session, as an appropriation made by the
ct0 70 will ha fQi n fGfr nj O