The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-01-14
standing with uplifted hand at one side

standing with uplifted hand at one side
of the speakers chair, faced Governor
Clough, whose right hand was also
raised, and in solemn tones pronounced
the simple words of the official oath, to
which firm g do" was responded.
Governor Clough then began his new
term of office by reading his bienniel
message, the reading continuing for an
hour and ten minutes, and being fol-
lowed closely by all on the floor of the
house. Many in the gallery seemed
more interested in watching the scene
below them than in listening, bnt all
remained till the close, both houses
soon afterwards adjourning for the day.
A big bunch of roses was presented to
Governor Clough by his little 3-year-old
grandson, Edward Hartley, at the close
of his message, and the governor walked
off with the faxen haired child on his
shoulder, more pleased apparently with
the child's greeting than with the
many hearty congratulations from the
grown folks.
Ringdahls Railroad Bills.
Senator Ringdahl, Popullst leader Of
the senate, opened the session with two
decidedly radical measures. one for the
adjustment of the railroad and ware.
house commission and the other for
reduction of 20 per cent on freight and
half a cent mile on passenger rates.
Like bills will be introduced by others
for the subject is one that keeps con-
stantly before the legislature. In this
connection an interesting statement is
made by General Passenger Agent Fee
OF the Northern Pacific, who claims
that by reduced rates to conventions,
harvest excursions and rates to encour-
age immigration, the average passen-
ger rate per mile in Minnesota is less
than ~ cents. But of course that will
not be considered final by the average
legislator.
Mileage of Members.
One Of the relics of the days when it
cost more to travel, before railroads
appreciated. all the beauties and benefits
OF passes, is the law allowing is cents
per mile to each legislator for his jour-
ney from his home to the capital and
back. This mileage matter is one of
the first things attended to after the
organization, and it provides ready
money for the use of the members be-
fore the day when they are able to col
lect the first installment of their per
diem, the classic phrase that has been
substituted for the old English "day's
wages" This years members had
some little worry over the matter, for
the senate adjourned before the legis-
lative expenses bill could be put through
all the necessary stages, and for a time
it seemed that members must forego
the Immediate pleasure of receiving
pay for work as statesmen. However,
State Treasurer Koerner personally
tided the matter over by advancing the
money.
Patronage of the Speaker.
Reference is often made to the pat.
ronage at the disposal of the speaker,
but few realize that there are 26 clerks
and other employees of the house to be
appointed by him. The only limitation
is that no committee clerks shall be ap-
pointed until recommended by the
committee on legislative expenses as
necessary. For these % employees the
compensation ranges from 1915 to Sc
per day, or a total daily pay roll Of
$96. so. The first of these to be ap-
pointed are Reading Clerk j. J. Ryder
of St. Paul and the general house COM
mittee clerk, D. D. Olds, of Little
Falls, who begin their work with tins
week.
Representative Douglass young In.
dian friend, Frank Beaulieu, has been
selected by Speaker Jones as one of the
house pages, and the Chippewas on the
White Earth reservation will feel that
now they have part in Minnesota Of
fetal life, for this is the first time they
have united in such request.
The Electoral College.
The electoral vote of Minnesota has
been formally cast for William McKin-
ley for president, and Carrot A. Hobart
for vice president, there being present
the nine electors, one spectator and
three newspaper reporters. On last
Saturday the electors met at the chief
executives office in the capitol and
paid their respects to Governor Clough,
notifying him of their readiness to per-
form their duty as electors On Mon
day morning each elector re.
ceived from Executive Clerk Angel
his certificate of election, which in
cluded the full electoral vote of the
state and the formal statement of the
result, signed by D. M. Clough as gov
ernor, and each subscribed to the oath
of Office. During Monday morning
they perfected the organization of the
Minnesota electoral college by selecting
T. B. Walker as president and James
Quirk as secretary. President Walker
designated Messrs. Potter and Brown
to act as tellers. Before noon M. r.
Brown in a neatly brief eulogistic