The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-01-25
THE LEGISLATIVE GRIND.

sentative GuUUorSoQ lQUrOuuCeu Jill
amending the law regarding country
roads, and giving supervision of their
construction to county supervisors.
This is the title of the bill as given
among those introduced, but is prob
ably the same bill which is described
in another place as bill allowing
townships at their own election to
abolish the election of overseers and
| the collection of poll tax, and to
transfer the duties of OverSeerS of
the highway to the township super
visorS.
Senator Miller's express company
bill makes all express companies in
the state common carriers, and
places them under the control of the
State Railroad and Warehouse COM
mission. The bill further provides
that within 100 days after it's passage
all express companies shall file with
the above board a schedule of the
classification of it's matter and of
rates. The board is given authority
to regulate the same. A similar bill
was introduced two years ago, but
failed to pass.
Senator Peterson introduced joint
resolution urging the senators and
members of congress from this state
to vote for an amendment to the fed
eral constitution providing for the
election of senators by the direct vote
of the people.
Senator MaSterman introduced an
important bill relating to the deposit
of state funds. Section l makes the
governor, secretary of state, auditor
and encouragement board Of audi
tors. Section provides that all the
funds of the state shall be deposited
in one or more banks located in the
state, Immediately upon their receipt
by the treasurer, in the name of the
State of Minnesota; the banks shall
be selected by the board, and shall be
required to give the treasurer per-
amount to be deposited, with at least
five sureties, who shall all justify in
the amount to be deposited; gives the
board power to call for new bond
when in their opinion it is necessary
for the complete protection of all the
funds, but the old bond shall in nc.
no of mi re
the treasurer and his bondsmen from
liability for loss of funds after their
deposit under this law. 1t is said
that this is similar to a bill which
was passed two years ago, but failed
to receive the signature of the gov
ernOr.
In the house RepresentativelFeig's
resolution asking for an investigation
into the manner of the depositing of
public funds in various banks and for
rigid inquiry into the financial con-
dition and business methods of such
institutions, was adopted by a,vote of
107 ayes and no opposition. Mr.. Feig
says that this inquiry is aimed at no
one man, as has been alleged, but to
inquire as to the truth of charges
that have been made that state and
county officials have received interest
on public funds deposited in banks.
1t is due to Col. Bobleter to here say
that he has made statement in reply
to some of the charges brought against
him, that he has in his possession
affidavits from the various banks in
which state funds were deposited, to
the effect that he (Bobleter) never
profited cent on these funds, but all
monies were turned into the state
treasury and so receipted for.
DR.. Zeir, a member of the house,
took the first step to bring about his
idea of the adjustment of capital
punishment by introducing resolu-
tion for the appointment of special
committee to investigate the ques-
tion of crimes and capital punish
ment, and to whom all bills in that
line shall be referred. The resolution
was adopted. 1t is the intention of
DR.. Zier that the inquiry shall be an
exhaustive one, and as he has made
it a matter of exhaustive research, is
prepared to give large amount of in
formation on the question. He will
introduce two bills on the subject one
to abolish capital punishment, and
the other creating pardoning board.
The manly stand on the senatorial
fight taken by some of the members of
the second district affords an oppor-
tunity for commentator, and to no
single representative is more credit
due than the Hon. Thos. Torsen, of
st. James. Mr.. T. was committed to
the candidacy of no one, but he recog-
nized that Senator Washburn served
his state with exceptional ability, is
deserving of reelection, and despite
the bpPpulaan pffOrtC mt forth NV tho