The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-10
OH! SO INDUSTRIOUS
SENATE CLEARS THE CALENDAR
AND WADES. THROUGH ITS
GENERAL ORDERS
AS THOUGH 1T LIKED WORK.
SOME ECHOES OF THE HOSPITAL
FIGHT REVIVE LITTLE IN
TEREST.
II Has But One Dissenting Vote in
Committee of the WhOIe-Other
Routine.

Beyond one or two breezy incidents
yesterdays sessions were distinguished
principally by a disposition to settle
down TO hard work Both these Incl
dents were more or less closely related
10 the Hastings asylum fight.
Senator Miller, in the first place. sug-
gested by a resolution, that it
might be better 10 care for the insane
by additions TO the existing hospitals
rather than the building of any new
Institutions.
Senator Greer gave notice of debate
on this. but the troubles Of the Hast
ings folk were not yet done. for Sena-
tor Whitney, just before the noon re-
cess, introduced another resolution,
which, after quoting an article in a
Minneapolis paper charging bribery in
the location commission, intimated that
the Investigating committee had been
derelict in the following language:
and. whereas one l. A. CasweH a prom
inent citizen 0f AnOka, is in said article
quoted as authority for said publication
above SET out:
Now therefore be IL resolved that the
joint committee 10 Investigate the location
Of the fourth asylum Tor the insane be- and
IL is hereby instructed to recOnvene and
witnesses he may name. and proceed 10 in
vesugaIe what, any, truth there is in
said printed statement, and report thereon
10 The senate within ten days; and said COM
miJtee IS further instructed u investigate
any other charges Of corruption in said mat
ter made before them by any reputable Per-
sons.
Senator Sheehan gave notice Of de-
bate this time.
The calendar was cleared up during
The morning session.
On general orders a number Of bills
that have been awaiting Senator Stew
ems recovery were recommended to
pass
TIL first debate occurred over the
French bill repeating the libel law OF
1887. Senator Stevens moved TO in
definitely postpone. He thought it
would be unjust to the newspapers and
not conducive TO good government, but
rather too bad, as il would impel them
70 withhold facts as 10 the misconduct
Of public officials for fear some unin-
territorial or inadvertent misstatement
should be made the basis for a heavy
Judgment for dana ges.
Senator McHale said the bill would
make editors more careful. News
papers should be held TO no less strict
accountability than private citizens He
knew IL was unpopular 10 take such
q position, and he feared that the in
timidatiOn Of the press would prevent
the passage Of the repeal
Senator Stevens called attention to
he fact that the editor must under the
present law, show good faith.
Senator McHale said the TeJTaCtiOn
sCuld not reach the 1.001 other papers
hat copied the original libel.
Senator Miller, himself an editor, said
hat as the truth was always a justi-
1cauOn, the law would not work any
ferrous injustice TO any careful, honest
md respectable editor. The motion 10
Indefinitely postpone was lost, and the
pill was recommended TO pass.
The Miller bill, which provides that
grain in elevators shall be taxed where
stored. instead Of at the general Office
u the company owning il, was recon-
nended TO pass. Il was urged that
1Eder the present system the grain
frequently escapes taxation entirely.
When Senator Smiths bill for the
organization Of the state agricultural
society came up, Senator Greer sug-
rested that il was a scheme TO legislaue
he present officers out Of Office, and
permit the governor 10 make a few
more appointments. Objection was
withdrawn afterwards.
A three cOrnered norman STAND" on
he Crow Wing river, is added to
Wadena county by the Whitney bill.
Z has not been in any county hereto
ore.
Senator Wynan explained that his
assembled at any primary. should select
heir officers. thus taking away the
powers now vested in the county COM
EiCtee. The bill also provides that all
county conventions TO elect delegates
10 any state convention. shall be held
ID the same day, 50 as to prevent pOliti-
al strikers travelling from one con-
TcuIiOn to another in the interest Of a
certain candidate.
Senator Culkin thought the county
committee should have the power 10
arrange for the primaries Senator
Greer said the bill would be a good
hing for the Twin Cities as their ward
leeIers would all be sent to the out
side counties. and leave the ordinary
TOIer a chance.
Senator Wyman said he thought the
irst provision would work no injustice.
Senator Iltis said the city legislators
we're trying to force something down
he threats Of the county mem bers that
hey did not want. 1t was hard enough
10 get voters out in the country. even
when there was some one 70 call the
primaries. He wanted the bill TO be
limited in its application TO the cities.
Senator Thorpe also opposed the bill.
The machine was not as dangerous as
It was made to appear.
The noon recess interrupted the de-
bate. but IL was taken UP again after
l,Inch and referred 10 Senators Culkin
and Wyman 10 see If the city and the
country could not agree upon amend
nenIs.
The public health. dairy and food
committee killed s. T. 81, the Hanson
bill for field instruction in butter and
cheese making.
The Minneapolis city council and the
retail cigar and tobacco dealers of the
same city urged the passage Of the
Rnti-department store bill.
The G. A. r. asked that the American
Tag be hoisted over polling places on
election day.
Spring shooting was asked for by q