St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-14
FOOLISH |. Fletcher,
The Congressman For got the
Quotation About a
Bridled Tongue,
And the Senate Jumps With
Both Feet Upon His
Form.
A Caustie Resolution Which
Terribly EXeopiateS
Him
Will Be Sent to the Ppesi-
dent, Senate and Con-
gpeSSmen.

inconsistent at times. This is exempli-
fed by the conflicting language used by
two Minneapolis papers. The one had
tendency TO modify the outraged feel
ings of the pine lands investigation
committee, and the other was so sour
and choleric that it at once rekindled
the fires of Indignation that were slum-
bering in the hearts of the committee.
Here is the one that assuaged the gap
ing wound opened the day before:
The Interview.
"Have you read what Senator Don
nelly and others have to say on your i'll
terview?" was asked him.
YES" replied Mr.. Fletcher. Il have
read all they have TO say about me, and
note that they give me half column of
abuse and day III which to deny, re-
tract or apologize"
"What do you propose to do"'
81 do not propose to do anything"
"Well, then, what have you to say"
"Simply this: l have spent the past
winter in California, returning home
Sunday. Yesterday l saw by the pa
pers that senate committee had re-
ported in connection with some pine
land investigation. l cursOrIly read
portions of it, and. later, while busily
engaged at my Office attending to ac-
cumulated business, Tribune reporter
called to interview me thereon. In an
swering questions l did not in the
slightest degree refer to any part OF the
present report or personally include
any members OF the present senate
committee. | did not even know
who constituted that committee,
but my remarks had sole refer
ence to matters that have come
within my knowledge during the past
twenty-five years, as any senator who
carefully reads the interview can
easily ascertain for himself. l do not
know or care anything about the pres
ent pine land investigation, but l still
adhere to what | said. and, further.
will add this: For many years past
there has been gang of Would-be
blackmallers and shysters who have
been bounding reputable citizens legi-
timately engaged in the lumber bust
ness, and whose sole occupation. to
use hackneyed phrase, has been that of
''trving to live by their wits" Ii Sena-
tor Donnelly will allow himself few
minutes reflection and recall two win
tiers ago, he will call to mind one very
vigorous specimen who hung about the
capitol corridors and hotel lobbieS to
the disgust of all decent people. And
let me add again: About the present
senate committee l do not know any
thing, and, therefore, did not intend TO
cast any reflection upon its members.
know nothing about what they nave
done, are doing or intend to do III pine
timber Investigations: but L do know
IL. ioh
me during the past twenty-five years
justified all that my interview set
forth"
Senator DOnnelly Was Not Severe.
The matter had been laid upon the
table the previous day. as was recorded
in these columns, ct the suggestion Of
Senator HOmpe, pending a further
statement or explanation ly Congress
man Fletcher yesterday morning. Sena-
tor Donnelly called the matter from the
table in calm and dlSpaSSiOnate Ian
guage. He refrained from employing
his wonderful penchant for adjectiveS
of more than ordinary meaning, and
the speech was devoid OF that acrld bit
terneSs that tinctured his effort
called to the Fletcher interview.
Mr.. Donnelly reviewed the language of
the two interviews. While Mr.. Fletcher
comedies that he was not misquoted, he.
in his peculiar diplomacy, denies that
he referred to the senatorial inveStigat-
ing committee when he used the terms
"cheap political shysters," ''men of lit
tie character" and a gang of rat head
ed reformers." Mr.. Fletcher says, con-
tinued the Sage, that he did not even
know who constituted the committee.
MI. DOnnelly wanted to proceed in
conservative way, and he denied that he
desired to use the powers of the legis-
lature to crush or brand any man.
This thought reminds me,' said he,
''that the poet has well said
1T is we'll to have giants strength,
But tyrannous to use it like giant"
Mr.. Donnelly then, explained that he
had prepared cauStlc resolution that
he had. intended to introduce, but in
view of the partial apology of Mr..
Fletcher he would not press it. He
would not Introduce it unless there
were members of the committee who
were dissatisfied with the makeShift
apology-and they could be so pardon
ably-and who urged its introduction.
Senator DedOn felt much the same.
He censured Mr.. Fletcher for his hot
headed attack upon the committee, and
said that MI Fletcher should have known
more than to have uttered such foolish
and rash words. He felt that the con-
mttee will yindicate ITSELF
After while several senators ap-
preached Senator Donnelly aud pointed
out the second interview referred to
above and urged him to take positive
action, and the Sage stated that it would
be unbecoming the dignity of senator
to submit to such added insults. He
read:
Uncle Loren Reiterated.
Your Uncle Loren Fletcher is not
particularly dismayed at the threatened
rebuke from Inc state senate because OF
the sass he INDUCED in concerning
the pine land investigation. Last even
Ing he said:
Substantially | stand by what was
ascribed to be in yesterday mOrnlngS'S
Tribune l meant all L said, and on
mature reflection | reiterate it,
HE stands by his assault, and he re-
lteraIes it. Think of it. NOw.thiS morn
ing" he pursued - again i'll calm
voice:"I reterreo!to the unpleasant affair
with one of our congressman. | then
stated that | had prepared resolution
of censure, but did not feel like intro
dueing it unless requested to do so by
other members of the committee or of
the senate. Since that time senators
and members of the committee, after
deliberation, have come to me and urged
the introduction of the resolution, on
the ground that the matter should not
be thus lightly passed over. l shall,
therefore offer, the following preamble
and resolution and request that they lie
over. 1t will then be for tie senate.
after mature deliberation. to say what
disposition shall be made of them, and
for MI. Fletcher to decide whether any
further exculpation for himself is due
the senate"
Mr.. Donnelly then sent up the reso-
luton, and asked that it be read and
then that it lie over. The resolution
follows:
A Caustic Roast
Whereas, The senate of the state of
Minnesota, moved thereto by public re-
port and belief. did appoint a select
committee of its members to inquire
into and report as to frauds and robber-
les committed upon the public lands OF