St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-15
Senator Cronkhite Surprised
That He Unwittingly Be-
came Famous.
DAYS VOTE QUESTIONED.
FAY Make Him Noted II the
Anderson Bill Gets Into
Court.
YALE'S VOTE WAS RECORDED
A Bill Introduced in the
Senate to Inspect Food
Animals.

Senator J. @. Cronkhite returned
to the city last evening, the most
surprised man in the legislature that
he had become SO notorious for his
absence while the Anderson bill was
under consideration. He was in
digrant at the treatment he had re-
ceiVed, in view of the fact that he
was absent on leave to attend to
private business, and also state af-
fairs. When seen in his room at the
Clarendon last evening he expressed
regret that he should have been
placed in an awkward position. The
account he gave of his absence is
substantially as follows: ct is we'll
known that 1 have been a regular
attendant upon the sessions of the
senate. [ had not been home since
the beginning of the session until
last week. I then secured leave of
absence to go home to look after
farming interests. L have large
farms, and am seeding over 500
acres this spring. 1 was obliged to
go to Duluth to look after a private
matter that had to be attended to
on Wednesday, that being the date
fixed to attend to some commercial
paper. When on my way from home
[ met Judge Frank Ives, who gave
me a bundle Of papers bearing upon
the investigation of him before the
legislature, and requested me to be
careful to place them in the hands
of either his son or brother in this
city. l reached the city Wednesday
morning, and went to the capitol to
find Henry Ives, who I expected
was there. Not finding him, went
INTO the senate few moments, and
then went to the Merchants hotel,
and left the papers with a clerk
then went to Minneapolis, to catch
train, and went to Duluth, where
L attended to some private business.
Early in the session 1 was appointed
as one of a committee of three to
investigate the expenditures of the
fire sufferers fund. [ had been
working on this matter in this city,
and was expected to make some
inquiries at Hinckley. Today / came
down as far as Hinckley, where 1
got off, and made inquiries as to the
expenditure of the funds, and to
hear what might be said by the
people about the claim that the
funds had not been properly ex-
pended. When there [ got the daily
papers, and found what had taken
place. 1 think L have been treated
badly in the matter L was away
under leave of absence. While at
home wrote to the president of the
senate stating that 1 would be de-
tanned a few days. When I came
back yesterday L did not report for
roll call because I was obliged to
be in Duluth that day to attend to
business. 1t is well known that I
am not a coward, and
NEVER DODGE
a vote. L spoke upon the bill when
it was upon general orders, and the
senate knows 1 am not afraid to
meet any question. When 1 came
here some. of my people told me
that if had an idea that the passa ge
of such a bill would interfere with
the gross earnings tax to vote
against it. 1 am ready to meet the
question at any time. 1t will do no
good to declare my position at this
time, as it would seem that I wanted
to square myself. l am ready to
face my constituents or any one else
upon that question. When l learned
that notice had been given that
vote would be taken to consider
the bill, 1 thought that when recon-
sidered 1t would be placed where it
was before. I did not expect vote
upon the merits of the bill again
until l should return. Ialid not ex-
pect that any such contingency
would arise, and think I have not
been treated fairly in the matter,
since L was absent under leave"
A LEGAL QUERY.
The conditions surrounding the
passage Of the bill to tax railroad
lands are the subject of discus
sion among lawyers who are mem
bers of the Legislature as we'll as the
profession generally. There are
number of such that are willing to
say that they have serious doubts
as to the right of Lieut.. Gov. Day
to vote upon the measure. This
raises a nice question that may be
carried to the courts. The ATTORNEY
general was asked for a chimney
corner opinion on the matter yester-
day by a GLOBE reporter, but held
UP his hands in protest and asked
to be excused. This is probably the
right course to pursue, as he may be
asked officially for an opinion by the
chief executive of the state before
signing the bill. Members of the
Judiciary committee Of the senate
talk in q general way upon the
matter.
Senator McTIale is chairman of the
subcommittee on constitutional law
in the senate Judiciary committee.
and is said to be enc of the best
constitutional lawyers in the state.
He takes the position that Lieut..
Gov Day had no vote in such cases.
He made this point at the time the
vote was taken
Senator Stevens, while not express
ing All opinion directly upon the
point, said YESTERDAY: MIR. Day is
de facto senator from Martin coun-
ty, and nothing out quo warranto
proceedings could affect his right to
vote as such senator, and these pro-
ceedings could n. t affect any act Of
his as such de feuto senator, COM
pleted before tie proceedings were
instituted"
1t is known, however, that SEN
ator Stevens, as well as other law
yers in the senate, don't want the
question of his right to vote raised
upon any bill in which they have