The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-12

resentative5 In the major branch Of the
| body, is probably as fair as could have
been expected from legislature con-
trOlled by a pioneer section which has
been unable to keep up in growth, but
which is reluctant to part with its leg
islatiVe advantage.
Senator Stebbins' bill, introduced in
the senate Saturday, to submit to the
people for a vote an amendment to
the constitution so as to limit future
legislatures to so senators and 100 rep
resentatives, is viewed with suspicion
by some, who thought they saw in it a
scheme to beat the general reappor-
tionment bill 1t is not improbable
however, that the bill may be passed.
While not many of the senators are
willing to legislate themselves out Of
Office, in view Of the fact that no
change would be enforced for four
years, as the districts would have to be
rearranged at the next session, many
Of the legislators may be found willing
to sacrifice their successors on the altar
of economy, hoping that their districts
will fare as we'll as any other in the
final wind-up.
The submission to the house of the
much talked of and patiently waited
for report OF the Donnelly committee to
investigate the states right to the val
liable Mountain Iron property on the
Missabe iron range, was an event.
The report is a most voluminous
affair, and finds that the pretended
REIMBURSEMENT by State Auditor Bra
den of the property, was illegal and
without proper authority, for which
reason the state has never been di-
vested of the title to the property.
The report recommends the appoint
ment of a committee of the house and
senate to sit after the session and take
steps and employ counsel for the re-
covery Of the lands to the state.
The sentiment on the matter is d.
vided. Some of the iron people assert
that they are worrying so little over
the prospect of losing valuable proper
ty, which they bought at high price,
and as innocent parties, that they did
not appear before the committee eX-
cept upon points which the committee
| wanted brought out. On the other
hand. the statement is made that, if
placed in the hands of proper legal
talent, the states right to the land may
be proved and asserted beyond all
shadow of doubt.
| Nearly all of Tuesday was given to
the consideration Of the Douglas dis
lance tariff BILL" and after an especial
| ly pretty fight the bill was killed by
| the house by a vote Of AZ to 81. The
| bill involved a number of questions
the answers to which may not be given
| off -handed, and the action of the house
| amounted to the declaration that 1t
was not sure the legislature could fiN
rates for railroads anyway, and more
| than that there was some question as
to whether or not the Minnesota rates
were not pretty fair and equitable IN
most cases When added to this you
have the combined efforts Of the rail-
road people, employers and employees,
| against the bill, even the general feel
| ing on the farmers part that they
ought to have better rates lost some OF
| its force.
Mr.. Douglas, who is credited with be-
| ing a dignified, clean representative
made this kind Of a fight and was met
with the contentious OF the lawyers
that the rates should not be lowered
and that even if they should, it was
the function Of the railroad and ware