St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-18
LEGISLATIVE HINTS.
Special Legislation Being Be-
ing Enacted Despite the
Prohibition.
THE ORAT0RIcAL CRAZE.
Talking Considered in Rela-
ton to It's Help or Hin
dranee.
AN EXPRESS RATE REPORT.
Possible Laws Touched On
and Their Provisions Re-
viewed.
THE 0RAToRIcAL CRAZE
AN EXPRESS RATE REPORT

To talk or not to talk-that is the
question that agitates the minds of
a great many members of the legiS-
lature. The majority seemingly de-
eide not to talk, but there is very
robust minority that does enough
talking for the whole outfit. That
their talk is a good thing or the re-
verse depends on the point of view.
Hon. A. N. Dare, the junior repre-
sentative from Sherburne county,
gives one view of the question in
the following extract from the last
issue of his paper, the Elk River
Star-News:
Much time is wasted every day in or
atory over measures that could easily
be disposed of in a few moments, but
there are some members who imagine
that they must work their mouths
about so much on every bill that comes
up. OF course this oratory bears no
results, as the members generally are
posted and have their minds made up
so that the talk has no influence one
way or another.
The other side of the question is
tersely stated in the cynical express
sion of ANOTHER member of the house:
IF they do lots of talking they'll
pass fewer bills" But this does
not hold good all the way through,
because q lengthy discussion angers
large percentage of the members
to such an extent that they almost
unconsciously join in a game of rush,
to make up for lost time, and many
a bill full of hidden vexation and
future trouble is passed even against
a Well-meant word of warning from
some earnest member. On the other
hand, every one has seen meritorious
bills absolutely talked to death, when
discreet silence would not have
aroused the spark of opposition that
developed into the flame of destruc-
ton.
According to recently adopted
constitutional amendment, special
legislation cannot be enacted in Min
nesota. But it is, just the same.
While the special act desired is made
general in its wording, it is provided
that 1T shall only apply to cities I'M
der or above a certain limit of popu-
lation. For instance, Hennepin
county members and st. Louis coun-
ty members have recently put
through half a dozen or more bills
on the plea that they are purely
local, and cannot affect any other
city or county" Neither can thew
unless the other cities or counties
increase or decrease in population
to the limit set in the bill.
The question of legality of these
acts will probably never be tested.
Tor the reason that no other city or
county than the one Immediately
affected will have any reason to
make test; and the favored ones
will never call the law in question.
Absolute and effective inhibition of
special Legislation, even under cover
OF the general form, would, after all,
De an undesirable thing.
examination of the evidence taken
and the work done by the house
committee appointed to investigate
express charges shows that, while
chairman Foss may be a good farm
ef' ne lacks the training that would
enable him to meet the representa-
yves OF the express companies on
anything like equal ground. Per-
maps there is no good basis for the
complaints of extortionate charges
out as the only witnesses examined
were superintendent of express
companies that question will hardly
be regarded as definitely settled.
This was one of the many investi-
cations begun in the heat of resent
ment against wrong, pursued at
| first with the ardor of authorization
and winding up in the slough Of dis
appointment and failure, with a
meaningless and useless report.
| Yet the report was cheap, costing
only $3.50. This is strange, too. for
there were close to 100 folios in the
| thirty pages of evidence. At the
regular rates for typewriting this
would amount to SIS. Yet the COM
mittee had the testimony taken and
transcribed for $780, 1t would nav
to have the representative from
| Grant handle all the stenograpbic
| work of the house.
A measure that has long been agi.
lated. and one that is bound to be
| warmly debated before it passes is the
! sQ-celled Schurmeier bill. 1t is II. F.
BIG, No. 5S on general orders, and stands
recommended to pass with some amend.
ments made in committee. It is, taker
altogether, a refern1atQry MEASURE OF
merit, and bears evidence of thought
and research on its face. Not more
than 20 per GENT of the convicts are tc
be engaged in one industry. Sufficient
latitude is allowed for teaching eacf
| convict a trade at which he will bs
| able to earn living when set free
| yet provisions are imposed to make
convict labor come as little as possible
into competition with free labor. HAND
| work is to be a fixed rule under tn,
bill and contract prison labor will b.
| abolished. Careful study and consider
| alton will repay any man for the tins
1 given 1t. The good features of the bill
! are numerous; if there are any bar
ones they may be easily corrected.
/ |
Fashionable People Are AIread,