St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-17
SMELLING THE WOODS.
Henry Feig's Resolution to Smoke
Out All Kinds of Frauds.

Henry Feig's Resolution to Smoke
Out al Kinds of Frauds.
The Ehouse met at 2o'clock, pur-
suant to adjournment, and Immediately
following prayer and roll call Repre-
sentative Henry Fe;g introduced a
somewhat sensational resolution-sen-
sationaI in the extent Of the corrupt
practices it charges. The resolution is
as follows:
Whereas, 1t has been publicly stated in the
press of this state, on examination and re-
port by competent accountant, that certain
public officials stale ana county-haylng
charge of the public funds have heretofore
demanded or received from certain financial
concerns private commissions, gifts or
emolumentS in consideration or deposting
certain public funds with such financial con-
Germs, which commissions emoluments or
gifts have been Appropriated TO the private
use and gain of such public officials, and
contrary 10 the statute in such case made
and provided; and
Whereas, 1t is stated that certain checks
for the payment of such illegal emoluments,
commissions gifts, and bearing the in
dorsememt Of certain public officials. are now
in the custody of the courts of I1ennepin
county, or in the hands of the receiver or as
signee of the State bank and American Elk
change Bank of Minneapolis; and
" Whereas, 1t is believed that this practice
has been going on for many years, and that
the amounts so miSap prOpriated will ap-
proach SI51,G which sum can and should
be covered into the public treasury, thus
materially lessening the burdens of the tax
payers, and
Whereas, BY reason of the pernicious
practice and desire for unlawful personal
gain, public officials have deposited vast
amounts of the public funds in insolvent or
carele>sly, if not crimlnally managed fuan-
clal concerns, and are now carrying as q cash
balance 50 2.S4l.U2 i'll alleged banks that have
long since failed. making said claim actually
ValueiesS as cash balance, if not for ali
other purposes, while sill other portions Of
said alleged cash balances consist of deposits
in concerns that. If not actually insolyent,
are on the verge of ruin; and
Whereas, 1t has been stated that the
amount of public funds deposited in finan-
ci0l concerns of this state is nearly equal, if
not in excess of the actual amount of cash
on hand by said concerns rs Whole, and IL
is imperative that the public funds should be
held rs q sacred trust for the whole people
aud not to be used by public officials and
financial concerns for their own unlawful
gain, or unnet eSSauly jeODardized or wasted;
and
Whereas, 1t appears by a report of the
pine land investigating committee, fled with
the governor on Dec. II, 1891, that for many
years last past the state treasurers have car
sums OF money, due for uncollected stump
age, amounting in October, 1893 to S9i,930.55;
and
Whereas. In addition to such amounts it
appears that the stat. has been engaged i'll
lOauing money for an indefinite number of
years TO lUmbermen. for which the state has
seldom. if ever, received any interest. how
ever much may have been paid to any 9TH
ers, If at all; therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That a special committee of five
nTlh NJ Ia hon no M iorp hT-r 1a
speaker with instructions to forthwith insti-
tute
Frst-A rigid inquiry into the financial
condition and business affairs of banking or
other corporations in this state which now
hold on deposit or otherwise any public funds
Whatsoever
Second-A rigid inquiry into the manner
in Which public officials Tor series of years
past have been induced 10 place public funds
i'll financial conCe rms, and especially to as
certain whether any present or past public
official hnS received for his own private use
or gain from any such financial concern,
either directly or Indirectly, any commission,
emolument or gift.
amount of public funds deposited in finan
cial concerns since insOlVent and at whose
instance deposited, when deposited, and
whether any public official received any per-
sonaI consideration therefor. together with
all names.
Fourth - To institute inquiry into the
amounts now or heretofore deposited by any
public official in any financial concern, of
which any such public official was, or there
after became all officer or stockhOlder.
Fifth - To institute inquiry into the
amounts of bonds given by any financial
concern for the deposit of public funds, and
ascertain the names of such bOndSmen, as
near as may be their financial condition,
their connection with the public official
making. and the Institution receiving any
such deposit. and the validity of such bonds.
SiXth-To institute any ana all other ip
quirieS i'll connection with the subjects
under investigation by the committee as
may be found necessary TO serve the ends of
justice.
Resolved. further That said committee
shall be and it is hereby empowered TO send
for persons and papers, and to have au-
thority to summon and swear witnesses;
also to employ such expert accountants as
may be necessary, and q StenogTapher.
Resolved, further, That all bills consequent
upon this investigation SHALL upon presenta-
ton, be audited by said committee, and when
approved the chief clerk of the house shall
draw his order in payment of the same.
4 communication was read from the
game and fish commission inviting
members to visit the state hatchery.
Mr.. Buck introduced a resolution
looking to the election or E. A. Taylor
as reading clerk. which was referred to
Mr.. knuteson renewed his resolution
to provide six copies OF each days
journals for members who desired them.
and this also went TO the committee Oh
legislative expenses.
The citizens OF Lakefeld presented a
petition asking for legislation calculated
10 check the growth of Russian thistle.
The following bills were introduced
and referred to the committees named
| in connection with each:
By Mr.. GeiSsler, Ii. f. 81. bill to
appropriate $1,000 for the opening of
Lime creek in Freborn county. Roads
and bridges.
By Mr.. Gibbs, H. f. %, to define the
powers Of safe and trust companies.
| Judiciary.
By NJ. Johnson. Il. F. %, to require
railroads TO post notices Of train sched-
ules in all depots. Railroads.
BIZ Mir. Johns, II. f. "a, to- constitute
certain legal works competent author
ity. Judiciary.
BY Mir. Smith, H. F. 25, to amend the
| General Laws of 1S7S-S9 relating to filing
Of chattel mortgages. Judiciary.
By Mr.. Dahl, Ii. r. 20. to amend the
special act of 1887, and TO provide for
two additional judges in the Fourth
judicial district. Judiciary.
BY Mr.. Zeir, H. F. 81, to require a
public record of unknown and I'M
claimed bank deposits, and The publica-
ton of the same by judges of probate.
Banks and banking.
By Mr.. Dahl, Il. F. 28, to prevent
fraudulent bankruptcy; guard against
losses by same. Judiciary.
BY Mr.. McInness, H. F. 20, to pro.
vide for the organization of boards Of
arbitration in case OF labor strikes or
dsagreements. judiciary.