The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-10-10

Democrats and Republicans. In 1891 we
offered to help the Republicans organize if
they would give us recognition on certain
committees. This being refused, we organ
lied with the Democrats, but there was no
fusion as to legislation.
At first the Republicans voted against
even the most important employees, but
later not only voted for, but proposed addi-
tional ones. But the number of employees
was but small part of the extravaganza
and we are willing to compare records in
that session with either of the old parties
as to economy. There were considerable
sums voted for repairs which in 1891 were
included in the legislative expenses, while
in 1898 these matters were not included in
these expenses, but provided for in a sep
arate bill. The several contests at the be-
ginning of the session in 1891 amounted to
nearly $1,000. The Duluth investigation was
also included; when all these items are
deducted the comparison will not be SO I'M
favorable. Yet, even if these items should
be included, the auditors report shows
that the expenses were comparatively
larger in 1889, when the legislative expenses
were $149, 7.53 for $50 members, or an av-
erage of 1898 per member. In 1891 these ex-
penses were s162, 1882 for 16S members or
an average of 1868. The average was less in
1893. The Alliance or Peoples party mem
bers are entitled by their votes to a share
members in 1891 was expostulated with by
a Republican senator for voting for petty
steal he was coolly informed that they in
tended to make it an eXtravagant session
and lay the blame to the Alliance men,
bers saying: Eve have the newspapers
and can make the people believe what we
Choose This program was carried out to
the end of the session, when Republicans
and few corporation Democrats We'd with
each other in proposing "woodchucks" and
placing them in the general appropria ton
bill. We fought them, as did some of the
Democrats, but without avail. In 1887 the
legislature made too large appropriations
for the tax levy, in consequence of which
the legislature of 1889 had a deficiency of
SS63,000 to meet; but, instead of including
this in the tax levy, they issued bonds OH
the state for 100000 And yet there were
deficiencies to meet in 1891 aggrega ting the
sum of $1S5,000 We also appropriated $780,
GOO for Irvine machinery and $3.50, 900 for a re-
volving fund Wherewith to purchase the
raw material for the manufacture of twine
and from this the farmers of the state have
received more benefit than from any other
act of the legislature since the state was
organized. Yet after all this and the legis-
lative expenses had been included, the
finance committee, of which Senator
Hompe was chairman, had trimmed
down appropriations as to keep within the
limit of the usual tax levy. However, when
was made on the treasury, which Glecessi-
tated an increased levy, and most of this
extravaganza is chargeable to the Repub-
Hcans. More money was squandered in one
night than the whole legislative expenses
OF the session. The Soldiers Home had
asked for $5o,0Oo but was given $l05 900. We
had succeeded in cutting down the appro-
priation for steps for the old capitol to
$1,000. but for fear this might give US some
consolation it was put back to $4,000
Thousands of dollars were voted to refund
counties for money expended in murder
trials, and other things too numerous to
mention. In 1899 the legislature found S173
00O more in the general revenue fund than
two years previous, and besides the tax on
gross earnings of railroads had increased
from $702, 36773 in 1890 to $780,, O91. 43 in 1892
an annual gain of $191, 723. 20. The estima tes
which have proved correct, placed the gross
earnings for 1893 at over s1,OOO,O0o The
State University had before received an
nually about $S5, 600, but the legislature of
1898 provided for it by a special tax levy of
15-100 of mill for all time to come which
provides more money than ever for that in
stitution, but this does not appear in the
sums voted. AS a result of a law passed
in 1891 the tax on telegraph and tee-
phone companies had been materially
increased. Taking all these things into
consideration, the legislature of 1893
deserves no credit for again reducing the
ten that the economical legislature of 1894
appropriated 100000 for a. new capitol.
This money is to be raised by special tax
levy of 2 mills for the next 10 years to
come. So it appears that that session ap-
propriated considerably over $4,0O00OO Com
pare this with the appropriation made in
1891, if you please, but always remember
that in both sessions the Republicans had
nearly one-half Of both branches of the
legislature, while the balance was divided
between two distinct parties. Gov. Nelson
says there was not much legislation for the
benefit of the farmers in 1884, which may
be true; but considerable was attempted,
many of the attempts being frustrated by
the dog in the manger" policy of the Re-
isfacton of seeing some of our cranky IDEAS
of 1891 adopted by the Republicans in 1S93
There was a baking powder bill passed in
1891 and it was introduced by Republican
senator, supported largely by his party, but
it is the first time / ever heard it took up
much time. 1t Is also true appropria tons
were made from the internal improvement
fund, and every Republican member got his
share, and they were not backward in in
PRODUCING similar bills in 1893, all of which
would have passed had there been any cash
in the treasury belonging to that fund.
Among the bills offered by Alliance man.
bers in 1891, for whose failure of passage
we are not to blame. may be mentioned the
Currier BILL modelled after the Iowa law for