Little Falls transcript., 1893-03-03
s, WINDY LEGISLATURE.
Much Time Consumed In Discussing
Numerous Bills Of Little
z Interest. -
Markham's Bill Taxing Railroad
- Lands. Will be Killed In =:
the Senate.
John Day Smith as Humanitarian
Other Matters Of General
Interest.

Other Matters Of General
Interest.
ST. PAUL, Feb. 23.-Since writing
my last letter there has been nothing
OF any particular moment en-
acted in either house OF the legis-
lature. 1t must be confessed that a
great deal of time-valuable or
otherwise-has been and is being
wasted by the members of both
houses. This is particularly notice:
able in committees of the whole.
Often two full hours are consumed
in the discussion of some bill, the ef-
feet of which if passed would not he
felt by a dozen men in the state. "De-
lays are dangerous" is an old maxim,
and we'll applies to a|legislative body.
The work that should be done now
will come in with an immense
quantity just before the close, and
the result OF the scramble will be
that certain measures which should
be fully and fairly discussed, will be
sprung ON the members like clay
pigeons from Il trap, and the people
be burdened with some things they
do not want and which they should
not have.
One great reason for the diliatOry
methods pursued is, think, the
lack OF better party organization in
both branches of the body. Especi-
ally, however, is this apparent in
the house with it's larger member
ship. The members do not seem to
feel bound to any particular one OF
the three parties, caucuses are as in
frequent as rose beds, and the mani
fest result is that when Il matter
comes up to he voted upon, the ayes
and nays come up with beautiful
impartiality from all portions of the
rooms.
The logical effect of this breaking
down OF the traditions and precepts
of the generations that have come
saw, conquered and are now con-
tent, is that Il Democrat or POpulist,
with q little more than the usual
seductiyeness in his combination, IL
lust as able to get a measure through
as Republican, who should have
the endorsement of the Republican
majority. 1t is not bad plan tc
make few glowing illustrations fol
the benefit of people in close dis
tricts that they may appreciate tht
benefits. Of electing Republican
that they share in the benefits of {
Republican majority.
Representative Markham's bill
providing for the taxation OF rail
road lands in this state. which
passed the house by most decisive
, vote, has failed to get through th'
judiciary committee of the senate
, and though a minority report viii
be made there are absolutely NJ
hopes held by it's projectors that i
l will pass the senate. The mall
\ point against the passage OF the bill
< is that there are grave fears, an
= they are shared in by some OF tn
= best lawyers in both houses, that
will affect the gross earnings tax.
Senator John Day Smith is truly
- humanitarian of the -broadest pa
~ tern. He is the author of two mea
>, ures thus far, one of which will brir
. about much needed reform. One
- for women's suffrage in partial d
'. gree and the other is an act to pr
vent the "docking' of horses tail
:: : The latter has passed the Senate al
we will all ''bate' our breath un
-. ~ the Senate proves that it loves
good woman as we'll as a go
~ horse, by passing the suffrage bill.
re Senator Smith and Senator n
MILAN, his colleague, engaged in raj
er a tarty discussion one day tt
Ii week over personalities. UnfOrt,
al ately just at that time no bill W
AZ introduced efecting Minneapo
or their home. Had this happen
ut they would have dropped one I
l'e other and faced the common enen
nv Minneapolis is strong with tn
ct gentlemen in the Senate and Wynn
he Gaines, Fletcher and a few Others
~ the House.
OF Mr.. Wyman's bill providing fo
sh4 ~ special tax levy for the support 1
iii maintenance of the state univers
mt has passed the house and will pr
On. ably pass the senate. This wa
pretty good bill but it required c
sidered persuasion to make som
the fellows to see it. Mr.. Wyl
made pretty fight and gai
. scores of friends and admi
. through it. Should it pass the
ate it will place our state univer
. out of the reach Of such legislat
should Minnesota ever he so
- fortunate as to have one like il
Nebraska's. The Populist legisla
of that state is opposed to the sci
and threatens to destroy it by
making any appropriations fol
!1Qh support. The plan to be adopte
ely, this state is now in Iowa, Wisco
and Michigan.