St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-23
POLITICAL POTPOURRI.

in session practically three weeks up to
date. AS was to be expected. but little
real work has been accomplished so far.
The standing committees were not an
nounced until the first week of the ses-
sion mad passed. They have only set
tied down to work within a few days.
The election of United States senator
has engrossed so much of the time and
attention Of members that earnest work
along useful lines Of legislation was al
most neglected until the matter was
settled. Three purely local bills have
been passed, several Of more or less i'm
portance are on general orders, half a
dozen concurrent resolutions have been
acted on that concern matters of more
or less public interest, andiineS of action
among the members are fairly we'll de-
fined. BEGINNING today the legis
lators should be able to leave side
issues behind and square away for the
real work to be done.
TIT
Special legislation, which, it was
thought, would give occasion for trouble,
has not yet been defined by the COM
mittee on judiciary. Whether the local
bills passed would be held to be III con-
tiict with the amendment adopted at
the recent election is question to be
developed only by future action of the
courts. The Judiciary committee COM
priSeS every lawyer i'll the house. and
has many bills before it already. Some
are duplicates. however The same
thing is true of measures referred to
other committees. In many Instances
OF duplication the bills are exactly sim
liar i'll wording and spirit, while in
few cases only slight difference is APP
parent. There is sentiment abroad
demanding that primaries be conducted
like elections, and several comprehensive
measures are already introduced to es-
tablish such an order Of things. Also
to limit expenditures of money by can
didates, to provide additional sets of
judges anG clerks for election day to
eXpediate counting, and to limit the
number OF voters in precinct to $50.
TIT
Free markets and no favorites is given
as the object aimed at by some bills now
being debated in committee. They pro-
vide for establishment of elevators and
warehouses by condemnation, by pur-
chase OF sites On navigabe waters. and
on the state agricultural society grounds.
They would compel railroads to build
side and spur tracks when necessary, or
when ordered by the state grain and
railroad commission. some of these
measures are very bold in their provis-
ions, and all are broad enough in terms
to accomplish, it is claimed, all the
grain growers and general farmers of
the state demand. 1t is safe to predict
that some of the hottest debates of the
session will occur OH these measures.
Bills touching educational subjects are
also numerous, and some are of a very
mo rifp MI nj, IL
several to provide for free text books
on practically the same lines as MIR.
WinSton's Ii. F. 6, and the county SUI
perlntendents will present on e Of their
own. No license measure of Importance
has yet developed, but dis position is
evlnced to critically crutinize every
bill sent to the temperance committee
TIT
Judging by action so far taken the
present legislature is made up in large
part of men of liberal ideas. who are not
likely to allow mere considerations of
party or personal welfare to interfere
with their ideas of right and public
duty. There are many strong men, too,
and on both sides, AS the session pro-
! crosses. others are sure to be developed.
1t would be hardly fair at this time to
attempt to analyZe guiding motives or
compare men. But this much can be
| said: Unmistakable indications have
been given as to who on certain commit
| tees will seek to guard the interests of
corporations, especially the railroads,
and who take the side that the public
| right should be held more sacred than
| the private scheme. Thus far the last
mentioned have proven themselves the
stronger and better equipped in every
way. In some instances they have, i'll
fact, completely turned the flank of the
railroad people. Neither the public, ror
| the corporations as against the public,
will be without earnest advocates. how
ever, and thus the legislative scales will
be held reasonably level.
TIT
The legislature meets this afternoon,
and the present week will witness some
sharp Skirmishing on various PROPOSE
tons to come up. This evening the
committee on railroads, which must
necessarily pass on much important leg
islatiOn, will meet in Room 16, at the
CAPITOL and lively session is assured.
The anti-scalper bill will be the subject
for discussion. Railroads, conductors
and ticket brokers are all worked up on
the success or failure of the bill, and it
can be depended upon that the argu-
ments pro and con will not be OF
"sloW" character. There is also fun
scheduled for tomorrow. At 2 p. m. the
special order will be the utterly too too
contest of one James Bidderman for the
comfortable seat now so firmly held
down by 4 good Democrat from Hennepin
named Robert G. Hinrichs. The COM
mittee on elections has reported in favor
of the sitting member and there is no
probability that the house Will go be-
hind the report. Tomorrow evening
the committee on municipal legislation
will hold public meeting in Room 16,
at which some measures Of general i'm
pOrtance will be given an airing.
t++t
During the heat of the recent senate
rial fight a funny incident broke the
monotony of one of Senator Davis bad
days. j. c. Flynn--eyerybOdy knows
the Little Falls war horse-waS in the
city, located at the Merchants. :, 1t was
understood that he was "agl'n" Davis.
e. II. Davis, also well known in
some political circles. He likewise
was stopping at the Merchants. The
senator had his headquarters under the
same roof. One morning Mr.. Flynn
gave a bell boy card OH which he mad
written: &c. Ii. Davis. Come at once.
j. G. Flynn" The boy looked at the
card, the Ii looked like K, Senator
Davis was solid in his affections, and he
didn't know c. II. When the senator
received the card he didn't believe it.
Putting on his glasses he saw where the
boy had erred. He was in mood for
any mischief. and posting a friend or
two he proceeded to the room occupied
by Flynn. Receiving request to "come
ill.," on knocking, he boldly turned the
knob-and Flynn did the rest. II re-
celved your card, Mr.. Flynn" said
Davis, "what can do for you?" "It's
all mistake. sir-a id blunder, sir.
never sent for you at all, SIR" "Thank
you, sir; good morning. sir" and the
curtain fell.
Used to It,