The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-09

was HO UeLlaHQ TOT the Dill out ny the
big cities. There was no reason why
any city should not be allowed to
govern itself under a skeleton charter.
The bill was aimed to perpetuate ring
rule. He said that it had been charged
in debate that the people could not be
trusted to frame their own laws.
Every one on the opposing side back
ed down from the assertion in one,
two, three order.
He predicted that if the bill passed,
the people of the state would rue it.
Senator Spencer said he believed the
pople knew what they were doing when
they adopted the charter amendment
at the last election. The judges Of this
state were worthy men, and had sell
dom erred seriously. He favored the
amendment.
The first amendment was then adopt
ed on a division, IL to 15.
Senator Wyman withdrew the Sec
ond amendment, and Senator Barr Of
fered one making a classification from
10, 900 to 100000
Senator Sheehan said that Senator
Howard had made a number if mis-
statements and the two had a lively
tilt.
Senator Spencer offered an amend
ment rearranging the classifications,
and Senator Sheehan objected to 1t.
1t was defeated and the Barr amend
ment was adopted.
Senator Pottgeiser wanted a. three
fourths instead Of a majority vote to
control the commission. Senator Shee-
han thought the four-sevenths popu-
lar vote was protection enough. This
amendment was defeated.
Senator Ringdal wanted the term two
years instead of six.
The Iong-term power was dangerous.
1t prevented the natural expansion of
L III lnFA tod
The bill was then recommended for
passage.
The other bill /, s. F. SIS, was then
taken up. Senator Howard moved that
it be Indefinitely postponed.
Senator Schaller thought the people
were entitled to a chance to try this
bill
Senator sheehan offered an amend
ment permitting the submission of the
question to the people on the petition
of per cent Adopted
He also wanted special elections per-
mitted. Senator Howard wanted them
voted for at special elections only. The
Sheehan idea was adopted.
He also secured the passage of an
amendment making majority Of those
voting sufficient for the ratification or
said charter.
Senator Sheehan had another amend
ment to prevent the granting OF per-
petual franchises, nor exclusive iran
chises, for more than five years. This
bill was recommended to pass, with an
amendment requiring a popular vote
for bond issues greater than $10O,OOO.
Senator Spencer moved that the rules
be suspended and the bills passed, and
they were, with only three dissenting
votes-Howard, Reishus and Ringdal.
The senate went into committee OF
the whole again to discuss the Theden
occupation tax.
Senator Theden spoke in behalf of
the bill at some length. OF the two
questions raised, he said, the only
thing for the senate to seriously regard
was whether it's effect would be good or
bad. Whether the courts would SuS-
tain 1t or not remained Tor them 10
determine, not for the Legislature.
The city of Minneapolis was gettlng
$3.50, 900 annually from the street rail-
way company under an ordinance
which had before it's passage been de-
clared unconstitutional even by the
citys legal advisers.
Senator Theden's speech was inter-
rupted by the entrance Of Chief Clerk
Bowling, from the house, with the
amended reapportionment bill
Senator Stevens said the amend
nents were obnoxious to all the Ram
Sey senators.
Senator RingdaI said the senate bill
had been a cooked-up political mess.
Senator Stevens said it might be
warmed over and possibly made more
palatable.
1t was finally decided to appoint a
committee of conference, and Pres1-
dent Gibbs named Senators Stevens,
Greer and Yale.
Senator Theden then resumed his
speech, arguing that monopolies were
odious to the principles Of American
Institutions He referred to the de-
mOralizing effect on the employees of
the low wages paid, and denied the
claim that the department stores fur
nished goods of the same quality
cheaper than people could otherwise
get. They made special reductions on
single lines, but charged the losses on
these, to advertising" and making 1t
I'D on the rest Of the stock. Besides
they could raise prices again after
they had crushed out competition.
The speech was again interrupted,
this time by motion that the COM
mittee rise, for a recess.
After rising, however, it was decided
to reset the special order for 10 O'Clock
this morning.
The consideration of the calendar was
then resumed, and eight bills passed IN
twenty minutes.
ON motion of Senator Wyman, the
senate conferees on reappOrtiOnment,
were directed to report before 3 o'clock
today. The senate then adjourned.