St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-02
ANNUAL SESSIONS.
After Thorough Discussion the Bill
Is Recommended TO Pass.

After Thorough Discussion the Bill
Is Recommended TO Pass.
The bill determining annual sessions
of the legislature, aud fixing the COM
pensation of members at $1,000, was
again the topic of debate IN the commit
tee of the whole. Senator SanbOrn
moved to amend by striking out $1,000
and substituting $3.50. Senator Allen,
to test the sentiment of the committee,
moved to indefinitely postpone, and
Senator Donnelly cOntended that the
work of the present session had pretty
fOrcibly demonstrated the Salutary i'm
portance of legislative sessions. The
dignity of the body had been increased
in the eyes Of the people. 1t had been
proven that the legislature is the real
government of the state. The cost IS
only a matter of a few thousands of
dollars, and MIR. Donnelly thought
that this dWarfs into inSigniticance
when wise legislation may save,
hundreds of thousands. He reviewed
again the exciting incidents of tile coal
combine investigation, and to perfect
the work so we'll begun it may be OF the
greatest importance to have session
next winter. He thought that possibly
a compensation of $500 might be Suffl-
Gent. The present senators had been
elected for four years, and he saw no
reason why the body should not recon-
Yene next winter to legislate like states
men. He saw no reason why people
should be Invested of that which is their
highest function. He took for illustra-
ton that city councils are almost COIL
stautly in session, and should measure
be passed providing that city councils
should only meet once year and then
for thirty days only, the populace would
Rise Up in Indignation
and drive the Legislators from their
seats. The Sage, in no uncertain lam
guage, recited the lesson that had been
taught the courts. He described certain
expenditures as the highest type of
economy.
Senator McHale was in favor of the
$500 salary, without any limit upon the
length of the session. He thought that
at times the sessions would run as long
as ninety days, but the natural effect OF
annual sessions would be to shorten the
length of the session. He would also
vote for a biennial sessions bill, with r
compensation of $50. Senator Smith
moved a further amendment fixing the
salary at 500, and this was adopted.
Then Senator Hommen moved to fix the
salary at $500, and Senator Stevens
thought a $500 compensation would be
proper, and he wanted chance to vote
upon If. Senator Hammer moved the
$500 amendment, but Senator j. ID.
Smith urged that the bill should not so
cut the salary that poor men cannot ac-
cept the Office. The amendment was
defeated. Senator Lommen's motion
Lost
Senator Morse sent up an amendment to
strike out annual sessions ana insert BIZ
ennial. He thought that multiplicity of
avs one of the evils of the day.
what Of the Work!
"What harm has come to us from
biennial sessions?" asked Senator
Morse. 81 don't see what advantage, or
what benefit will result from this ses-
sion. Now you may think this Is ridi-
Guile, but [ am sincere"
IL would like to say to the gentleman
from Hennepin," said Senator McHale,
ethat if we have done nothing this win
ter, the people will send men here who
will dc something"
1.-The gentleman from Hennepin hon
estly believes himself true Jefferson
ian Democrat" said Senator Donnelly,
''buJ had he that power Of vision he
would see Thomas Jefferson shaking
his list at him, because he has miscOn-
strued a maxim. The people least gov
erned is best governed, What fallaey.
Carry it out to the end, and what does
it lead TO? Why,the conclusion that the
country not governed at all is best gov
ernedY'
"Oh, no." replied Senator Morse.
That doesn't follow"
"Oh, yes, it does. That is the logical
conclusion" and Senator Donnelly fol-
lowed this up with a panegyric. The
thought that the enrolling clerk should
receive a compensation that yields him
| 1000 while the senators only receive
SIS day, the same that is paid the man
at the door, was particularly obnoxious
to the Sage. The system was wrong,
and he proceeded to urge annual ses-
| SionS.
Senator La Due suggested that bien-
! NAL sessions might be all that is neces-