St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-03
GREER'S POSITION.
The Member from Wabasha De-
nounces the Treatment of the
Country,

The Member from Wabasha De-
nounces the Treatment of the
Country.
Two years ago Hon. Allen ]. Greer
did not cast a single vote from the be-
ginning to the close of the session to
which the people of the rural districts
could take exception.
He was for reform measures, by whom
ever introduced, and so well did he
serve the farmers of his county that he
was returned by 700 majority in DEM
ocratic county.
The farmers of Wabasha county knew
they could trust Allen j. Green, ana
they voted for him. His conduct two
years, ago which won his reelection by
an unprecedented majority, brought
the undying hostility OF HennepIu
county, the center of the wheat ring.
the pine land ring. as we'll as OF the
greatest political ring the state mas
ever knowE. Appealing from a
caucus dominated by the representatives
of these interests and not of the people
OF Minneapolis, who are just as much
opposed to these rings as the farmers.
Mr.. Greer gives reasons that will be
carefully weighed by the people of
Minnesota, if not by all the members OF
the legislature, which will be called to
order at noon today.
Mr., Greer issued the following state
ment OF his position last evening:
Plea for the Country.
The people of the agricultural dis
tricts of this state are demanding relief
from this legislature. l was elected by
district of this kind and promised to
do all i'll my power to secure the re-
forms in the grain and warehouse and
other laws demanded by my cOnstitu-
entS. In response to the urgentreq uest
of other representatives l entered the
contest for speaker.I came here TO make
fair and open fight for the honor, but
was met almost at the outset by the fact
that the Republican members from the
two cities, more than half OF the men,
berS needed TO nominate in caucus,
were pledged to Mr.. Lee, and had Sc
cured pledges i'll return that, II carried
out, would absolutely turn the control
of the house over 10 the two great cities.
Representing the people l do, and
knowing that the future of my party in
this state depends upon tile action Of
this legislature, | could not agree to any
scheme by which SO men shall be al
lowed TO organize a house OF Ia MEM
berS; and believe in dealing fairly and
justly with both city and country, and
| demand that the Interests of the coun-
try shall not De sacrificed TO those OF the
ciCieS.
The rings and the corporations are
against me in this fight; but, win or
lose, shall not submit to the com bina-
ton that has been put mp.
MANY important committee chairman
ships have been promised and pledged
for votes.
Every position in the house OrganiZa-
ton, from clerk to assistant dOOrkeeper,
has also been battered for votes. with
the result that the majority needed to
control the caucus has been secured.
[ knew all this, and realized that
there was no chance to defeat the
scheme.
| would not transfer my votes to Mr..
TuTrell. nor could he turn his votes to
me, and had either been able to help the
other to the full limit, 1t would not have
avaiIed.
| demand fair play for the country in
this organization. and have taken this
position TO secure 1t. There are many
members who cannot be secured by
promises of position, and who are ready
to join with ME in a demand that this
house shall be organized with due re
gard TO the interests OF the whole party.