Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1893-03-30
MINNESOTA NEWS.
The Legislature and the Coal Combine.

The Legislature and the Coal Combine.
The fight between the legislature and
the coal combine was transferred to the
district court of Ramsey county, when
Basil Smout, sergeant-at-arms of the
house of representatives, was called be-
fore Judge Egan to show cause why he
should not be punished for contempt in
not surrendering to the sheriff of Ram
sey county the books belonging to the
combine.
Mr.. Smout excited the ire of the court
and the attorneys for John j. Rhodes,
general manager of the combine, by
stepping to a telephone in the court
house just before the opening of the
court and telephoning Robert A. Walsh,
member of the joint legislative inves-
tigating committee, telling him that
the books were in the treasurer's Office
and formally turning them over to him.
Deputy Sheriff Reichow was dispatched
in hot haste to the capitol with an Or
der to bring the books to the court
house, but he was not quick enough,
for before he reached the capitol Mr..
Walsh had secured the books and had
the whole house Of representatives back
of him.
A resolution was at once introduced
in the house by Representative Cole re-
curing Judge Egan to appear in the
court and show cause why he was de-
tanning the sergeant-at-armso of the body
from attending to his duty. This
brought the excitement to high pitch
but Representative Staples cut short
the proposed summary proceedings by
giving notice Of debate, and the resolu
ton went over to Monday.
In the meantime, in the district court,
Christopher d. O'Brien, speaking for
General Manager Rhodes, excoriated
the Legislature without mercy for what
he termed it's outrageous and illegal &C.
ton. Judge Egan decided that while
he was disposed to punish Sergeant-at.
arms Smout he could find no statutory
authority for so doing. He followed
Mr.. SHOUTS discharge with an order
citing Representative Walsh to appear
before him with the letter books.
The following morning Mr.. Walsh
appeared in court, but the letter book
did not appear with him. He was on
the witness stand when the colored ser.
geant-at-arms of the house, j. w. Wells,
made his appearance on the scene, and
without paying any too much respect to
the dignity of the court, informed Judge
Egan that the house of representatives
was under call, and he had been sent
to bring Mr.. Walsh in.
Tho oro1u1o,J nj 4r.,,
went round as every one present tum-
bled to what was up: Judge Egan was
so taken by surprise that it took a few
moments to collect himself, and then he
asked the officer of the legislature to
step back. Il must have reasons why
you will not let Mr.. Walsh go, if you so
decide" said Wells. The court looked
at all the attorneys, said few mild
words and then asked the O'Briens if
they were through with the witness.
They said yes, and Walsh and Wells
left the building. The crowd thoroughly
enjoyed what was going on, and the
merriment probably nettled Judge Egan
little, for he proceeded to roast Wells.
He declared his actions outrageous and
indiscreet, and the attorneys for both
sides agreed with him, but what could
be done? The attorney general said
that Sergeant-at-arms Smout was need
ed at the capitol, and the Judge had to
let him go also. He then adjourned the
court until afternoon.
In the afternoon he was confronted
with an affidavit that Walsh was a
member of the house, and he then threw
the whole case out of court.