Morris tribune., 1895-01-16

| ers,' whose duty should be to secure the
erection of a new state capitol, according
| to the provisions of the law. In conformity
| gentlemen, who were confirmed by the SEN
ate duly qualified, and have since been
! acting as such board, viz
H. w. Lamberton, of Winona, from the
First congressional district.
| James McHench, of Fairmont, from the
| Second congressional district.
| George A. Dutoit, of Chaska, from the
/ Third congressional district.
Charming Seabury, of st. Paul, from the
i Fourth congressional district.
! John De Laittre of Minneapolis, from the
| Fifth congressional district.
/ Chas. H. Graves, of Duluth, from the
Sixth congressional district.
| E. E. Corliss, of Fergus Falls, from the
| Seventh congressional district.
| By the terms of this act the governor Is
made a non-voting member of the board,
| and total appropriation of $2,000,000 was
made, to be provided by tax levy of two
tenths of mill upon the assessed valua-
| ton of the state each year, not exceeding
10 years.
The board met and organized May 49,,
$685. and have since been diligently en-
gagged in the prosecution of their duties
They have purchased commanding site
for the new building, payable out of the
appropriation available during 1895, 1856,
1897 and 1898, at a total cost of about $780,
600. 1t is situated at the head of Wabasha
street, in st. Paul, about four blocks from
the site of the present capitol. The new
site is bounded by University avenue on
the north, Park avenue on the west,
Wabasha street and Central avenue on the
south, and Cedar street on the east, and
contains 335, $50 square feet, or S-l0
acres. 1t is on commanding elevation,
easy of approach, and fronts upon one OF
the principal thoroughfares being upon the
direct line of travel between st. Paul and
Minneapolis.
The board has recently received competi-
tive designs from architects from different
parts of the country, and are now engaged
in the selection of one to be adopted for
the new building, no decision having yet
been reached.
In the crowded condition of the present
statehouse, the board of railroad and ware
house commissioners, the board of health
and other departments of the state govern
ment cannot be provided with suitable
quarters, and are obliged to hire rooms
away from the building, while many of the
other departments are greatly hampered
for want of sufficient room. By the time
the new building can be completed the
business of the state will have still further
expanded, and the present building will
have become still more inadequate Tor the
requirements of the state.
The work of constructing new capitol
has been entered upon at a time when
both labor and material are exceptionally
low priced, and hence the building can be
erected at less cost to the state now than
under former conditions. / regard the
enterprise as a necessary undertaking, and
refer you to the board of state capitol
commissioners for further information
concerning it.
ConI Combine Investigation and Lit
igation Resulting from the Same.
Pursuant to a resolution Of the legisla-
ture of 1898, committee of three senator's
and six representatives was appointed to
investigate unlawful combinations, among
producers, carriers and dealers, enhancing
the price of coal to the consumer. The
committee, in proceeding with the work of
investigation, through it's agents, obtained
the possession of certain books and papers
of j. J. Rhodes coal dealer and the al
legged manager of an organization of coal
dealers, without his consent and against
his protest. Mr.. Rhodes thereupon insti-
tuted an action against the committee and
it's agents to recover $1,000 damages for
the taking and detention of the books and
papers. The legislature thereupon passed
an act appropriating $4,000 to pay the ex-
penses of such litigation and to pay any
Judgment that might be recovered against
the defendants or any Of them Mr..
Rhodes has finally, after the action re-
.ferred to had been twice appealed to the
supreme court, dismissed the same as to
all the defendants, thereby substantially
terminating the litigation. Pursuant to
the act of the legislature last mentioned
an effort was made to procure the indict-
ment of Mr.. Rhodes and his alleged asso-
ciates, in the district court for Ramsey
county, for engaging in an unlawful COM
bination to enhance the price of coal, but
such effort proved unsuccessful. There
has been expended out of the said appro-
priation of $4,000 the SUM of 81 ,531. S8 for
attorneys fees, costs and disbursements
in the case of Rhodes and in the efforts to
procure his indictment. leaving an unex-
pended balance of $48, 463.12 that should be
covered into the general revenue fund by
appropriate legislation.
Pine Stumpage and Public Lands.
A resolution of the legislature of 1893
directed me to make judicial investiga-
ton OF the sale of pine stumpage upon
section SO, township AZ of range 26, Mile
Laos county, made by the state auditor to
G. A. Smith & Co., and authorized me to
employ counsel and incur expenditures for
that purpose. Pursuant to such direction
l
stituted through them, in behalf of the
state, an action against G. A. Smith & Co.
to annul the sale and to recover pay for
the timber already cut. In this action
Judgment was obtained against the de-
PENDANTS for the sum of $40, 302.4S dam
ages, interest and costs, and the sale as
to the timber uncut, which was upwards
of two-thirds of the entire lot, was an
nulled. Out of the amount recovered I
the sum of $2,240 in attorneys
fees, costs and disbursements, and paid
the balance, amounting to $8,062.48, into |
the state treasury.
Pursuant to joint resolution No. of the |
legislature of 1898, committee of three |
members of the senate and four members
Of the house was appointed to investigate |
Ill frauds committed in despoiling the I
school, university, internal improvement |
and other lands of the state of their tim |
Der. By the provision of the same resolu- !
lion the governor was also directed to in |
vestigate and examine school lands con I
tanning pine timber or which had thereto
lore contained such timber. The appro-
oriation of $4,000 for the use of the COM
nittee and $4,000 for the use Of the gov
srnor made by the resolution aforesaid
was only allowed by the state auditor to |
he extent of $7.748.29-the unexpended
balance of the appropriation for the legis-
alive expenses of 1893-and of this
mount IS, 600 was placed at the disposal of
he committee and the balance at the dis
Of ho no hoc |