St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-21
The Old Prison Fight.
NO MONEY USED.
The Testimony Exonerates Bank
ers of Corruption CHARGES.

ers of Corruption Charges.
The special committee appointed dur
ing the fight over the Davis interest bill
to investigate the charges that cor
ruption fund had been raised by the
bankers of the state, reported in sec
lions at this time. Senator Donnelly,
the chairman, presented a report, filled
principally with inSinuations as to what
had happened two years ago, reason
ing that the same thing might have hap
pened again. In this report there was
not line that could be tortured into
evidence that a dollar had been
raised for the purpose stated. Great
stress was laid on the fact that
the bankers of the state were organized
and the testimony of one man, Ii. j.
Dueul, given to the effect that he had
contributed S25 in 1889 for the purpose
of sending out literature against the
Sevatson bill. The conclusion is then
reached that the bankers would be more
than mortal if they had not used money
against the Davis bill. The Sage
thought such associations should be
prohibited by law. In this Senator
PrObStfield, with a brief note of dissent.
united with the Sage.
When the Sage took his seat Senator
Leavitt got up with blood in his eye,
and took the Sage'S report in hand and
made critical analysis of it in the
light of the testimony given before the
committee.
Senator Donnelly," he said ''claims that
the subsequent resolution authorized the
committee to go back two years. When he
attempted to do this | objected, but subse-
quently withdrew my objection. l shall pay
no attention to the testimony relating to two
years ago. for but one witness was examined,
ana his testimony amounts to very little. SO
lar, since the organization OF the State Bank
ers' association but 81, 100 has been paid into
the treasury, and of this $3.50 was paid out
for attorneys fees and expenses, aud all but
$500 is this accounted for. Now, | don't
think great deal of corrupting could be
done with that amount The money raised
in 1899, the testimony showed conclusively,
was expended for the printing and circUla.
ton of literature. This report says, if we are
to believe the officers of the State Bankers
intimating that they are not to be believed.
Now. senator Z. Il. Smith is an officer of that
association. l wonder if any one here would
say that Senator +. r. Smith is to be be
lieved under oath.
The Minority Report,
signed by Senators Leavitt, Brown and
Tawney, was presented by the WinOna
caustc, to say the least. The report
follows:
The first meeting of the committee was
held April =. Since that time there has
been held three meetings of the committee
Aside from the officers of the Minnesota
Banking association, there was examined
four Witnesses. The evidence taken by your
committee shows the following facts:
First-That in September, 1887, the private
bankers OF the state organized an association
known as the Minnesota Bankers assOcia-
ton. That this organization was originally
created for the purpose 81 uniting the banks
affected by the legislation of the previous
session of the legislature and to test the valid
ity of the act passed at that session known
as the Keller bill. For this purpose the organ
iZatiOn retained Hon. Gordon, E. Cole, who
appeared before the attorney general made
an argument in favor of the unconstitution-
ality of the law, and delivered an opinion to
the association to the effect That the law was
unconstitutional. for the reason that it had
not received the requisite two-thirds vote
provided for by the constitution. For this
service they paid him the sum of $3.50, and.
i'll addition, paid another attorney for his
opinion the sum OF S25.
Second-That since the organization of the
Minnesota Bankers association, i'll Septem-
Der, 1887, said association has raised from
membership fees and assessments about ST.
100; that this amount has been expended, ac-
cordlng to the testimony of the treasurer, as
follows: Two hundred and fifty dollars for
opinion OF Gordon E. Cole; S25 for an opin-
ion of another attorney as to he validity of
the act herein referred to. That since this
organization the expense of all meetings of
executive committee, including railroad
fares and hotel bills of members of the COM
mittee. has been paid out of this fund, and
that there is now in the treasury of the as
ISOLATION the sum of $3.50, making $500 in all
which the association has expended since its
organization.
Third-That ali the officers of said associa.
ton, including II. X. Wells, president; W b.
Parsons, treasurer: Hon. II. Il. Smith, secre-
tary, and Hon. II. B. Strait, chairman of the
executive committee, were each sworn, and
testified before the committee. and that they
each severally sWOre that no money has ever
been raised or used by the association for the
purpose of influencing or affecting legisla-
ton.
FOurth-The evidence further shows that
in May. 1899. the Lombard Investment Com
pany of st. Paul contributed $3.50 TO defray
the expense of circulating literature
which contained, according to the tes-
timony, reasons why the bill known
as the Sevatson bill should not
pass, and showing the effect which
in their judgment the passage of such law
would have upon the business interests of
the state, ana requesting that petitions be
sent to members of the Legislature protesting
against the passage of a law of that kind
There were no other witnesses sworn who
are connected with investment or mortgage
companies than Mr.. Duell, the agent of the
above named company, who swore that
there were two other companies besides the
one he is connected with that contributed
for the purposes above mentioned in the
year 1889.
Fifth-No evidence was offered or received
by the committee tending to show that there
was any organization on the part of the
bankers of this state. or that there was any
money r.,ised or used by the bankers of this
state for the purpose of defeating or infu-
encing or affecting legislation at the present
session of the legislature.
After short speech by the Sage, IN
answer to Senators Tawn6y and Leavitt.
the majority report was adopted. and
after ordering, at the request of the
Sage, the printing of 1000 copies of
both reports and the evidence, the farce
came to an end. The senate then, on
motion of Senator Dean, adjourned sine