St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-01

ana ne IOrtlneQ MS position Win
big array of comparative statistics
between the different Northwestern
states. Senator Keller wanted to see
the commission abolished altogether.
Although large shipper himself, and
although he had many grievances, he
had never entered complaint to the
railway commission. He went direct to
the railway companies and laid the case
before them, ana he invariably was met
half way.
Senator Stevens had no doubt that the
intention OF the constitution when
framed was to vest the power OF choos-
ing the copmlssion in the executive,
government. There was no intention of
making it political office. lie went
largely into the ethics of selecting the
board. There are always several cam
didates presented to the chief executive
from the different political parties, and
an opportunity for good selection upon
ability and experience qualifications.
Ante-ElectlOn Pledges.
Senator Leavitt asked if the governor
might not promise the appointment dur
ing the campaign, and Senator Stevens
admitted that it might be the case, yet
he maintained that he would naturally
do so. feeling safe that he was making
no mistake. Senator Hompe was aston
ished to learn by the temper of theNar-'
guments adduced that the railway com
mission is the only Office that the people
are incompetent to select. lie urged
that efficacy had been demonstrated
where the commissioners had been
elected. Senator March read a section
of the constitution showing to his mind
that N alaatinn of and all nffi0ArS
was provided for. Senator Wood could
not conceive why of necessity an cleo
tive board should be more partisan than
if appointed by governor elected by
political party.
what Are the POVers2
Senator Craven, in reply to Senator
Stevens, urged that if the powers vested
be executive merely the latter is right,
but if the powers be Judicial then he is
wrong. But the senator from Carver
held that the commission is intended to
be advisory, but if, as h organic law
Wonld possibly indicate. when it relates
that the commission shall have a seal
that shall be judicial in its recognition,
then they must be elected by two
thirds vote of the legislature. Senator
Keller recited with pride the progress
of Minnesota as loyal MinneSOtan,
and he was ashamed of the senator from
Otter Tail, who lauded the state
of Iowa to the detriment of
the grand old North Star State,
the prettIest spot in America,
Senator Mayo favored giving the pres
ent commission extended powers and
another trial. He would vote against
the bill. Senator Sauborn declared
against commission system of govern
ment, except commission TO gather
statistics of facts and to report the same
to the legislature. Senator Morse re-
called a chapter in the history of the
state. lie introduced bill in the house
OF representatives eighteen years ago
providing for the appointment OF rail
way commissioner. This was amended,
mailing the Office elective, and it so be-
came a law and was given practical
test for many years, and it had prOyen
unsatisfactory. Experience taught him
that it would be bad legislation to
change the present method of selection.
Senator Leavitt believed that parties
will put the commission into politics if
the bill passes, but he had confidence Ill
the sovereign people, and he believed
that they will take the commission out
of politics. He hoped the bill would
pass.
Canestorp's motion to recommend
the bill to pass was voted upon, and was
lost, % noes to II ayes. and upon Sen
ator j. w. Peterson's motion it was
recommended for indefinite postpone
ment. When the committee arose the
bill was excepted from the bill, and
then the author moved to amend the
report so as to recommend to pass, and
a parliamentary contest ensued. Sen
atOr Stevens moved to amend by com
mending the bill for indefinite post
ponement. Senator Craven raised the
point that this is not in order, because
it was the original motion, and Senator
j. w. Peterson called for the previous
question, and the roll was called upon
the question to indefinitely postpone,
and 1t prevailed, % to 20, as follows:
Those who voted i'll the affirmative