Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1894-11-02

The Democrats and Populists are predict
Ing that they will control the next state
legislature. They controlled the legislature
Of 1891, and the legislative expenses OF the
session were $l62, 05352, OF $4,000 In excess
Of the amount allowed by law, and entail
ing a deficiency appropriation Of $4,000.
In 1880, with the Republicans In control.
the legislative expenses were $14O, 777.53,
leaving $222.47 Of the appropriation unex-
pended. In the session Of 1893, with the
Republicans ugain in control, the legisla-
tive expenses were $142, 101.1, leaving ST.
$500 Of the appropriation unexpended.
Do the Deople-the taxpayers Of Mime
sota-waut another fusion legislature! II
they get one they know what to expect
from past experience. The record OF the
last three legislative sessions is IN instruc-
tive ono and we'll worth the deep and care
full consideration of every voter In the
state.
In 1880 the legislative expenses reached
$149,777.63. leaving $222.47 Of the $4,000
unexpended. The legislature that session
was controlled by the Republicans In both
branches. :
The Extravaganza Of 1sO1.
During the session Of 1901 the Alliance
and Democratic members Of the legislature
formed a combination, and In both the
house and senate they had control, electing
their own officers and choosing employees to
suit themselves. Notwithstanding the re-
monstrances Of the Republican minority and
the governor, the most wasteful extrava-
gance prevailed In both branches. I'm
ported penknlves, superfne waste baskets,
postage stamps and stationery by the bush
ell and all manner of trappings and bric-a-
brac were purchased for the members.
There were junketing trips every week or
80, among them being the famous visit
to Fergus Falls, the Duluth excursion, the
st, Cloud trip and sundry others. Employees
were hired by the dozen, including a
maimed man who had lost the use Of both
hands, and who earned IS per day "hauling
up the nag over the capitol building. Then
there was the extravagant "wheat invesd'
CATION" and when the session came to
close, session marked by all manner OF
debauchery, drunkenness corruption ana
willful waste and winding up in q grand
orgy. the legislative expenses amounted to
s182, o5s52, about $4,000 In excess OF the
appropriation and deficiency approprla-
ton Of $4,000 was made.
A Profitable investigation.
When the session of 1893 opened, with the
Rerublicans in col troll Of both branches
Gov. Nelson let 1t be understood that no
such extravngance as thnt OF 1891 would be
permitted, and his economical views were
adopted by every Republican member OF
the house and senate. The session was nm
imnortalt one, mitch valuable legislation
takiris place, and many important reforms
being, ipaugurated by the Republicans. Par
hSbS the most important one was the In.
vastlgation BY committee Of tho house OF
tho illegal sale OF the pine on section OF
school land In Mile Laos county. This was
inaugurated and carried out by Representa-
tive r.. G. Dunn of Princeton, now the Re.
publican candidate for state auditor, and
through tho subsequent vigorous action of
Gov. Nelson, in accordance with resolu'
ton presented by MIR. Dunn and adopted by
the house, 1t resulted In the school fund be-
ing made richer by $4,000.
This Was True Economy.
This legislative Investigation did not cost
the state one cent, except o few dollars in
one case IN witness fees. All the work Of
investigation was done by Messrs. Dunn
and Fleming. The senate pine land investi-
CATION was but preliminary to the work
since done by the special committees, and It
followed it, the results COM
Ing since the legislature adjourned, how
ever, have secured large refunds to the
state. When the session Of 1893 came to
close the legislative expenses amounted to
s 1d2, 1O1. II, leaving about 5000 with which
to carry on the pine land Investigation,
aud Of this amount So, 235. "a had been ex-
pended up to Aug. /, with the results AZ
stated. In the general appropriations large
the advice and influence of Nov. Nelson,
oud tY,n rosaion xxyna tia most Ac0nomicAl