The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-01-27
MINNESOTA SOLONS.
The Legislative Proceedings from
Day to Day.
Everything Running in Smooth Manner
and There Is an Evident Desire on
the Part of Members to Make
Purely Business Session.

81 dul. JAN lS.-16SCerCdy was a
day when it was hard for the house to
do any work, because the senate was
not in session. Visions of the senators
enjoying a visit at home made the rep
resentatives sorry that jacobson and
Staples had evidently come to town to
remain 90 days without a vacation. A
good many representatives, however,
had gone home over Sunday, noleus
volens, and so the attendance today
was light The Hicks resolution, which
was left suspended between heaven
and earth Saturday, got through
yesterday with only fifteen neg
ative votes. This authorizes the
committee on elections to investi-
gate and ascertain whether there
really is good ground for the con-
test of the seat of a member before
taking it up. 1t is claimed that tine
two contests pending this session have
no absolute contestants present, but
only attorneys who are working for a
fee from the state. Donnelly explained
that he was afraid 1t would be estab-
fishing a dangerous precedent to allow
the committee to summary refuse to
hear a contest. because some time the
populists might get control of the house
and refuse to allow any republicans to
contest their seats. Judge Hicks in
sisted that his resolution only applied
to the contests now pending and was
designed as no precedent for the popu-
istic millennium SO graphically por-
trayed by Mr.. Donnelly.
A bill was introduced which pro-
vides that a surety on bond given the
state to protect the deposits in bank
can discharge his liability to the state
and then proceed against the bank to
recoup himself, the same as if he was
the state itself. The nature of this
bill would indicate that the bondsmen
for the several hundred thousand dol
lars on deposit in banks which have
failed are anxious to make good the
money the state had on deposit. though
there has not heretofore been any ap-
parent run made to secure spch an op-
portunity. The author of the bill evil
IDENTIFY thought there was a mob of
bondsmen on the floor below the legis-
lative cham Der, seeking to thrust their
own money into the state treasury in
return for that which is supposed to be
in defunct banks, but isn't, because he
wanted to pass the bill under suspen-
sion of the rules. An objection pre-
vented. and SO the state treasurer is
not in danger of being overwhelmed
with gold and greenbacks from the
bondsmen. for a few days. Labor got
its work in again in the shape of
a bill requiring all cities having over
10000 inhabitants to appoint labor
commissioner at salary of 81, 200 per
year. 1t does not provide what salary
the walking delegate shall receive, but
fortunately, the bill is not beyond
amendment. Visions of Knute Mel
sons coup d'tat were revived by pro-
posed constitutional amendment for
bidding a governor or governor-elect
being eligible for United States sena-
tor during the term for which he was
chosen governor.
St. Paul, Jan. 20.-There seems to be
a generous, or some other kind of ri
valry between the senate and the
house, as to which branch viii capture
the honors of securing important legis-
lation. Nearly every bill of importance
has been introduced in both houses,
sometimes simultaneously. Both houses
have bills putting the grain commission
under the civil service rules; also Civ
ing state banks the right to demand 60
days notice of their depositors, the
same as savings banks; also regulating
the state deposits; changing the tax
and election laws, and so on. Mon
dow IN ho nf tot
Johns, of st. Paul, stole march on a
Minneapolis member by introducing a
copy of the Georgia antitrust bill.
This bill imposes fines and imprison-
ment in the penitentiary, for those who
engage in trusts in Minnesota Senator
Sheehan, of st. Paul, was planning to
introduce the same bill in the senate,
but there being no session of the SEN
ate Monday he could not do so. and
SO Johns stole a march on him as well
Sheehan did the best he could and in
troduced his bill today
Senator Greer also emulated the
house, by introducing the same bill
which was presented Tuesday in the
other branch, providing for a state
library commission and system of
travelling libraries. Another bill was
for the repeal of the corrupt prac-
tees act, on the theory that honest
men obey it, while dishonest men gain
an advantage by ignoring it. Hence it
is better to permit all the candidates
for Office to be corrupt rather than to
compel portion to be decent. Sena-
tor Theden is still regulating elections
and offered his tenth bill on that SUBJ
ject today. The real item of interest in
the senate, however, yesterday was the
executive session, to consider the gov
ernor's appointments, especially that
of DR.. Reynolds for the health board.
In place of DIR. Hewitt. There was an
animated debate but Reynolds was con-
firIned. The only appointment held up
was that of j. H. Block, of St. Peter,
who was appointed member of the