The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-06-21
will be called upon to declare It
is not the function Of government
to donate or insure profits to any
man or class Of men. 2


man or class Of men,
G. A. FRENCH, Of Monticello,
was second-assistant clerk Of the
house during the session Of 1893,
and he was in a position to know
what was going on in the house.
Be it remembered that Mr.. French
is resident Of Wright county and
is now and always has been on
friendly terms with Senator A. Y.
Eaton, editor Of the Buffalo Jour-
mall. Here is an extract from a
lengthy article which appeared in
Mr.. French's paper, the Monti-
cello Times, last week:
Unless one was an actual eye witness
and in position to observe the actions
of the last legislature relative to the
pine land investigation, he would
scarcely believe the opposition mani
tested to it by a majority of the mem
bers of the lower house. After the in
vestigation had been ordered by the
house every obstacle possible and every
pretext that could be made, was put
forth to delay and to prevent a full and
fair Investigation of even the one point
as to whether G. A. Smith & Co. had
committed a fraud upon the State in
buying certain section of pine land.
After long time two reports were
submitted, one, the majority report,
practically condoning the whole tran
saction and whitewashing State Audi
tor Biermann, and a minority report
signed by r. G. Dunn and Judge Elem
ing, finding the auditor guilty of SELL
ing State pine lands to G. A. Smith &
Co., in violation of law and at consider
able less than fair price, losing to tho
State several thousand dollars by this
one transaction alone, which the State
courts a year later confirmed and G. A.
Smith & Co. were compelled to pay
over to the State treasurer nearly $10,-
900. This was the practical result OF
Dunn's investigation. It will be re.
membered that the house adopted the
majority, or withdrawing report, the
Dunn report receiving only twenty
nine votes. But in less than twenty
four hours many members of the house
were tumbling over themselves to undo
their action of the day before, but i
t would take two-thirds vote to get thu
: report again before the house in time
, for action. Mr.. Dunn again took VI
. the fight and the minority report
slightly modified, requesting the gov
ernor to employ counsel and to bring
I suit against G. A. Smith & Co. wa
o adopted. Every tactic known to par
s liamentary law was used to defea
Dunn, and it looked as if he was beat
and had the speaker been with the OF
position we have no doubt he woul
I have suffered defeat. But finally tn
E necessary two-thirds vote, rs, just tn
F. exact number-was secured, but it too
the clerk over twenty minutes to ca
the roll owing to the confusion, the r.
fusal Of members to answer to the no
d call, and the Interruptions wholly III
. parliamentary, made by members wh
= were bound to defeat Investigation {
> any cost, but the rules were suspende
"a and the investigation ordered. W
n cannot very we'll see how the credit fc
st this action on the part of the hous
# can be given to anyone Except in
general way) for this result, except
. Representative Dunn. Out of the az
tation connected with this investig
n ton grew the larger investigate
n started in the senate week later.