St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-21
FLETCHER IS FLOORED
The Mild-Mannered Man Of
the Delegation From the
State Of Hennepin
Is Taught a Lesson Touching
His Duties and Powers
as a Chairman.
Forced by the House, He Rem
ders a Report on a Bill
Reluctantly.
First Exciting Debate OF the
Session--Resume OF the
Work.


When the house chaplain began III
Invocation Yesterday morning mere
were many vacant seats. Ihey nlled
rapidly. however, and the house began
the DAVIS work by ordering the printing
of several important measures. 1heh
for an hour the time was passed III
routine business. Roll calls on reSolu-
tons to pay certain persons for work
done before the appointment OF the
regular attendants of the house con-
sumed large part of the time OF the
session.
But of sudden a disturbing element
was hurled into the quiet routine by
Judge Fleming, of Crow Wing. 1t
seems that Thursday the committee OH
judiciary held meeting attended by
thirteen members. 1t was there de-
cided to amend the title of House File
% in some particular, and report
the bill favorably. 1t was given to Mr..
Walsh, its author, and he obeyed the
instruction OF the committee. MI.
Fletcher, the chairman. was late III
reaching the house yesterday, but as
soon as he came Mr.. Walsh handed him
the bill, properly amended. Instead OF
Immediately verifying the title and
sending the measure to the speakers
desk with others from the Judiciary
committee, Mr.. Fletcher held it back.
Later OH he was given 10 understand
that such a proceeding would not be
tolerated.
AS Mir. Fletcher isa young man, and
IN this instance was dealing with eX-
Uerienced legislators who though rot
chairemn of important committees. know
their rights and have disposition to
maintain them, he no doubt learned
valuable lesson. He was, to put the
fact moderately, brought up standing
and made to realize that as chairman it
IS his duty to obey the instructions of
majority of the committee, not to Judge
Of what bills he will report and what
withhold.
Strange as it may seem, this bill
places limit on the amount that may
be recovered for the killing by accident
III negligence Of any man, no matter
whether The loss and permanent dahl
Hge to his family be little or great. Yet,
If today's proceedings are any indica-
ton, 1t will meet with the most deter
mined opposition. Mr.. Horton charac-
leriZed it as
Ga Dar garOus HEeasuYe.''
but he did not state in what respect.
Mr.. Cotton was evidertly amazed at its
wicked intent. and said so in an i'm
passiOned manner: but lie, too, failed
10 say why it appears so terrible TO SOME
members.
Under the order Of business, "re-
ports Of standing committees" reports
were read from several committees and
disposed Of. No one noticed anything
wrong until, during lulI in the pro-
ceedingS, Mr.. Fleming called for a re-
port from the conn i tee on judiciary on
House File % introduced by Mr.. Walsh,
making liability for accidental loss of a
life 8I2,50C instead of $1,000.
Mr. Fletcher made Il sort of an eXpla-
nation that did not explain. AS devcl-
oped later on he had no apparent eX-
cuSe for failure 10 report.
Mr.. Greer warmly seconded the de
n.and fOr report Of the bill as directed
by a majority of the Judiciary commit
tee, and explained in pointed words that
the excuse offered by Mr.. Fletcher was
very thin.
Mr.. Horton. of Ramsey, made his first
speeches OF the session i'll favor Of al
lowing more time to report. He said he
considered the proposed measure dam
gerOus one, and could not understand
the desire tor an immediate report. He,
for one, wanted time to examine the
bill, and especially the title.
Mr.. Cotton spoke somewhat eXcitedlv
in the same strain, and then Mr.. Walsh
explained that he had handed the bill,
properly amended, to MI Fletcher, as
soon as the latter entered the house.
Judge Fleming said he was amazed
at the pettifOgging reasons offered for
delay by the gentleman from St. Louis.
He held it to Ue an exceedingly strange
coincidence that some gentlemen who
were not present at the committee meet
ing should know so much about the rea-
sons for withholding the report. He
said the judiciary committee mad con
sidered the bill and ordered report. 1t
was the chairman's duty to maze that
report, and he would insist that it be
made before adjournment.
Milking 1t UP Hot.
Again Messrs. Cotton and Horton in
sisted on the bill being returned to the
committee, and opposed the move to
compel Mr.. Fletcher to report.
Mr.. Blocker sustained the demand
Cor report in a stirring speech. He
held 10 good reason mac been advanced
for any sort of delay.
Mr.. Cairns said for the house to take
such action would be a harsh reflection
OF Chairman Fletcher.
Comstock, of Blue Earth, spoke
earnestly for report at once, and Mr..
Wyman said he enjoyed the wrangle Of
The lawyers. lie thought, though, that
the fight should be settled in committee.
Mi. Cotton wanted 10 ask Mr.. Elem
Ing question in loud voice, but the
latter objected to being hollered at.
Then jacobson Clipped in. regardless
OF the speakers remark that 1.-THE gen
f!cman from Grow Wing has the floor
and a merry row was under way, with
Speaker Lee as the smiling referee.
Judge Fleming held the floor, how
ever, until the fiery Lac Qui Parie man
blew out, and then he got back at Mr..
Cotton in decisive fashion. He also
took a shot at Mr.. Horton for signing
minority report on a bill he claimed to
know nothing about.
Mr.. Dunn moved the previous Ques-
ton. and the motion prevailed. When
MI Fletcher sent the bill UP a minority
report, signed by six members, had been
tackled on.
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