The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-01-23
THE LEGISLATURE.

aScendcncy. In fact there seems to be
strong disposition at the outset to
get such an expression Of opinion that
will in the end not only secure defeat
of the Vaccinations Of the corporate
elements, but bring about some RENE
dial measures. Judging from those
already introduced the most import
ant measure of this or any previous
session is the following:
Mr.. Eeig introduced the following,
which was unanimously adopted:
| Whereas. it has been publicly stated in
| the press of this state on examinations and
| reports by competent accountant, that
| certain public officials-state and county
having charge of public funds have here
| tofore demanded or received from certain
| financial concerns private commissions,
| gifts or emolumentS in consideration of
! deposting certain public funds with such
| financial concerns, which commissions,
emoluments or gifts have been appropri-
ated to the private and gain of such
public officials, and contrary to the statute
| in such case made and provided, and
| Whereas, it is stated that certain checks
for the payment of such illegal emolu-
ments, commissions or gifts, and bearing
| the Endorsement of certain public officials
are now in the custody of the courts of
Hennejin county, or in the hands Of the
| receiver or assignee of the State Bank
and American Exchange Bank of Mime
apolis, and
Whereas. it is believed that this prac-
tice has been going on for many years
| and that the amounts misappropriated
| will approach Sl50.00 which sum can and
should be converted into the public treas
ufy, thus materially leSSeninT the bur-
dens of the taxpayers, and
Whereas, by reason of the perniciouS
practice and desire for unla awful personal
| gain. public officials have deposited vast
amounts of the public funds in insolvent
or careiessly, if not criminally, managed
| financial concerns, and are now carving
as cash balance, 1902 S4l .O2 in alleged
banks that have long since failed, making
| such claim actually valueless as a cash
balance, if not for all other purposes,
| While still other portions Of said alleged
| cash balances consist of deposits in con-
Germs, that, if not actually insovent are
| on the verge of ruin, and
W hereeas, it has been stated that the
amount of public funds deposited in finan-
clal concerns of this state is nearly equal
| TO- II not in excess, of the actual amount
| of cash on hand by said concerns as a
whole, and it is imperative that the pub
lie funds should be held as a sacred trust
for the whole people and not be used by
public officials and financial concerns for
their unlawful gain, or unnecessarily
| jeopardiZed or wasted and
Whereas, it appears by report of the
| pine land investigation committee filed
with the governor on Dec. 81 1894 that for
many years last past the state treasurers
have carried on their books on overdue
drafts vast sums of money due for I'M
| collected stumpage, amounting in October
| 1898, to $94, 93055 and
| Whereas, In addition to such amounts it
| appears that the state has been engaged
| in loaning money for indefinite number
| OF years to lumbermen, for which the state
I mas seldom, If received
| however much may have been paid to any
others, If it at all; therefore, be it
! resolved, That a special committee of
five members of the house be appointed by
| the speaker, with instructions to forthwith
| institute
! First-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
| III which public officials for a series of
| years past have been induced to place
| public funds in financial concerns and es-
| pecialy to ascertain whether any present
| or past public official has received for his
| own private use and gain from any such
| financial concern, either directly or ind-
| rectly. any commission, emolument or gift
Third-To institute inquiry as to the
amount of public funds deposited in finan-
| cial concerns since insolvent and at whose
instance deposited, when deposited and
| whether any public officials received an.-
personal consideration therefor, together
| with all names.
Fourth-To institute inquiry into the
| amounts now or heretofore deposited by anv
| official in any financial concern of which
| any such public official was, or therea ter.
| became an officer StOckhOlder
tifth-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 bonds
| men; as near as may he their financial con-
| dition, their connection with the public
| official making and the institution receiving
| any such deposit and the validity of such
| bonds.
| SiNth-To institute any and all other in
| qu1ries lii connection with the subjects
| under lnVestlga ton by the committee as
| may be found necessary to serve the ends
| of Justice
| ResolVed, further, That said committee
| shall be and is hereby empowered to send
Tor persons and papers, and to have au-
thority to summon and swear witnesses;
| also to employ such expert accountants as
may be necessary, and stenographer.
| Resolved, further. That all bills conse-
| quent 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.
MI. GlDOS introduced bill prOvid-
ing that trust companies can not act
in fiduciary capacity without giving
a bond. Prohibiting them from doing
banking or investing more than 20 per
cent of their capital in bank build
ing.
Mr.. Dahl-To prevent fraudulent
| bankruptcies.
Mr.. Zier-Relating to unclaimed de-
| posits.
Mr.. Johns0n-Requiring private
banks to make reports, and Mr.. Lar
son the same.
Mr.. AndersOn-To tax railroad lands.
Mr.. Douglass-Reyising the bank ex-
aminer laws, providing stringent du.
ties and penalties.
Mr.. Foss-For an inheritance tax.
Mr.. Soule-To place certain corpora