The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-21
COAL BARONS BEATEN.
Victory Rests With the Good State
of Minnesota.
The Legislature Has Power to Retain
Evidence Intended 10 Be Used
for the Public Good.
Special to The MoENINs CALL.

ST. PAUL, March 20.-The coal combine
fight grows warmer. This morning Judge
Egan of the Circuit Court ordered he de-
tention of the sergeant-at-arms Of the
House, and had Representative Walsh be-
fore him and demanded possession Of the
letter books Of the coal combine.
Walsh refused to acknowledge the au-
thority Of the court as far as giving up the
book IS concerned, nor would he tell where
the book could be found.
Meantime the Senate is considering the
House joint resolution instructiug the in
vestigatlon comm ttee to retain the letter
book k.
Senator Donnelly made another scorch-
ing speech, denouncing not only the coal
combine, but fercely excoriating Judge
Egan, whose personal character. as well as
official acts, were condemned. The Iesolu-
ton was finally ad0pted-34 to 8,
There was even warmer debate in the
House, ana threats OF tie impeachment of
Judge Egan for OBTAINING an officer and
member of the Legislature were freely ex-
pressed.
Finally a call of the House was ordered,
and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Wells was
instructed to bring into the House the body
of Representative Walsh, Illegally detained
by the court.
Several speakers advocated the passing
of resolutions instructing the Governor to
call out the militia to enforce the orders Of
the Legislature.
Wells, the assistant sergeant-at-arms, ap
peared in court when Judge Egan was about
TO announce his decision on Representative
Walsh's refusal to give up the letter-book
The appearance OF Wells and his demand
for the custody OF Walsh 50 disconcerted the
Judge that Wells and Walsh walked ont
without any attempt to detain them, as did
Sergeant-at-Arms SmOut, who had been
under arrest since Friday. After their de-
parture Judge Esan said Walsh was not
at any time under arrest. but he declined to
say what the next step would be.
This afternoon Judge Egan dismissed
the whole proceeding, and peace reigns
once more, although the temper OF the
Legislature is still very much ruffied. The
Judge read his decision on the case, admit
ting the power Of the Legislature and the
legislative committee to retain possession
of the letter-book, and stating that Walsh
had appeared voluntarily and was at no time
under arrest. he further stated that every
thing had been done legally. and that too
much heat had been engendered, with which
tne courts had nothing to do, and he held
that the Sheriff would be responsible for
any attempts to take 1.-THE book from the
Capitol.
OBrien then moved the court to Issue an
order to show cause why Basil Smout the
House sergeantat-arms. and J. W. Wells.
assistant sergeaDt-at-arms. should not be
punished tor contempt OF court-the first
for putting books out of his possession after
process had been served, and the latter for
invading the court and taking therefr0m u
witness on the stand-but both applications
were denied.
When the whole m after was thrown out
of Judge Egan's court, new proceeding
was instituted by Attorney O'BrIen, for
Mr.. Rhodes of the coal combine, in the
shape Of damage suit against the investi-
eating committee and its officials for the
seizure OF its books and papers. in which
damages are laid at $4,000 What further
action will be taken by the committee is not
known yet; but a mass-meeting to denounce
the coal combine is to be held on Wednes-
day evening.