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

Yesterday was 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 mad
much to boast of in their victory, the
opposition to Col. Liggett being so
strong and persistent that Gen. San
born, although friend of Mr.. Llggett.
was impelled to declare in short
speech that were he i'll Mr.. Liggetts
place he would refuse to take the office.
But the representatives OF the agrl-
cultural interests did score a victory,
and very great one, too, turning down
or rejecting all but four of the gentle
men named by Gov. Merriam for MEM
bers of the board of equalization.
The senate went into executive ses-
sion shortly after II o'clock, and things
began to warm up at once. The hrst
appointment to be considered was that
of w. p. Huntington for trustee of the
soldiers home. Owing to the fact that
no one was ready to present charges
his friends pushed things to 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 strong speech against con-
tirmation. He was followed by MIR.
Donnelly, who, to the surprise OF his
Alliance allies, declared in favor of MIR.
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 he
found defending the railway commission.
The work of tine commission has been un-
satisfactory, and the appointment of Mr.
Liggett shows that ii is not the intention OF
Gov. Merriam to appoint men that are salts
factory to the agricultural interests OF the
state. This appointment is made III the IN
terests of the wheat rings, aud we farmers,
protest against this man. confirmation III tne
name of the $1,000 farmers who voted for 5.
NJ. Owen at the late election. The sub
serviency of the railway commission TO the
railroads have forced us Republicans, for
most of us have in the past acted with that
party, into the Alliance"
Vigorous Protests.
Senator Lommen, of Polk, made strong
appeal for rejection, and Senators
l'rObstfield and Crate also expressed
themselves vigorously against c0ntlrma-
ton.
Next came the feature of the session.
s.I
friendly to Mr. Liggett and to the governor.
but recognize the justness OF this opposi-
ton to his confirmation. The fact that every
senator representing 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. The farmers
who raise wheat in this state are entitled 10 a
man in this position i'll sympathy with them.
For this reason | shall vote against confirm
ing Mr.. Liggett."
DOnnelIy Bolts.
Senators Searles, Mciiale and Canes
torp were excused, and the voting COM
menced. With the single exception of
Mr.. Donnelly. the Alliance senators
voted Solidly against confirmation. Ihey
were joined by number OF Democrats,
but the Benson political farmer pulled
through by scant majority.
Il SuDDOScu tlc StIltlOI DdhOLi ACp-
resented the Alliance said Senator FRANK
A. Day, with smile, "out l am surprised TO
find 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:
II am voting for Donnelly and no one
else
With One SvyOOp.
The board of equalization next came
up andithe entire board WAS rejected
with the following exceptions:
William Lindeke, of st. Paul: Daniel
Bassett. of Minneapolis; William Thomas,
of Mankato, and j. L. Crocker, 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 Probstfeld. of the
Alliance: March and Brown. of the Demo
Gratis, and Glader and Dean, of the hepuDii-
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 districts
to hand in names of men for conSidera-
tion. The full list of officers confirmed
follows:
Lucky Appointees.
Trustee Soldiers home, W. z. Huntington,
OF Redwood Falls.
Member board railway commissioners, W.
VI. Liggett of Benson.
Oil inspector, Sam II. Nichols. of ST. Paul
Boiler inspectors, First district, G. j. Miller
of Mower; Charles A. Bison. OF slbiey; j;
G. Bl oomtield, of Kandiyohi: X. G.. Clark, oi
Ramsey; W. d. Tomlin, of st. Louis.
State board of equalization, William Lin
deke, St Paul; Daniel Bassett, OF Mime
apoIis; J. Z. Cooley, Duluth, William
Thomas MankatO