Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-01-18
LEGISLATIVE NOTES,
Our Special Correspondent Tells Of
the Solons' Doings.
The Usual Scramble for Once. The Ap.
pOintment of Committees Will Set
the Whole Legislative Machi-
merry in Motion.

st. Paul, MIMI, Jan. 1.-Between the
scramble for the legislative offices, and
the fact that the first Democratic gov
ernor in 40 years has just taken his seat
with large amount of patronage to
dispense, the actual legislation of the
session has, as yet, been given almost no
consideration. The legislature has had
IT'S usual vacation to go home and con-
suit its constituents, but is now again In
the saddle and the Senate committees
announced will start that branch in
working order, while in the House,
Speaker Dare Is expected to announce
his committees to-day and then both
bodies will be wound up for business.
1t is too early to decide whether the
Senate committees will give satisfaction
or not, but there are undoubtedly the
usual heart-burnings resulting from dis
appointments, as committee positions
are frequently the stepping stones for
some much desired higher place. Lieut.
Gov. Smith took the peculiar position
that men who had heretofore occupied
prominent positions in the state should
not be given previous recognition owing
to their previous honors, and we there
fore, find Senator McGill, one of our ex-
Governors, made chairman of the insig-
nif1cant Library committee and senator
Geo. P. Wilson, who was attorney gen.
eral when Senator Davis was governor
and as a member of the lower house over
twenty-five years ago chairman of the
House Judiciary committee, is relegated
to the craftsmanship of Retrenchment
and Reform, while the Judiciary, Rail
dc nd 1T
have less prominent men for chairmen
If Mr.. Smith had had an ex-United
States senator to pass upon, he would
probaly have made him chairman of the
Engrossment committee. Perhaps, later
on, Smith may serve in one of the legis.
lative branches and realize that he has
established a precedent which may come
home to roost.
AS usual at the beginning of the ses.
sion, all kinds of reforms are in the air
The Governor has recommended that
several fat fee offices be made salaried
and Senator Ryder has already presented
the usual bill to make the railroad com.
missioners, the dairy commissioner, the
insurance commissioner, superintendent
of public instruction and the labor COM
missioner elective by direct vote of the
people to hold the Office for two years
each. After the reform move has spent
its force the regular business will be
given attention.
Senator McGill introduced an impor.
tant bill yesterday, bringing the grain in.
spection officials under the civil service
If this should become law it would re-
move the grain inspector from the foot
toon NIT
ready been launched in the Senate.
Representative Jacobson had his in
nings early on the grain commission, az
he offered resolution calling for an in
vestigation in the Republican caucas the
evening before the session began an6
yesterday they formally passed the
house. 1t also includes an investigation
of the charge that the state prison man
agement sold Irvine to the trust instead
of to the farmer. Mr.. Jacobson" alst
prepares to raise the tax on railroad:
from three to four per cent on the gros:
earnings.
The House always leads the Senate IL
the number of bills introduced and thu
number reached 80 when the House ad
journed yesterday afternoon. The indi
cations are that the session will be pro
ductive Of large amount of attempted
legislation. AS to it's value, four months
later will be a better time to decide
st. Paul, Mimi, Jan. 12.-Only once be
fore during the history of the state ha
there been a year when a United State
Senator was to be elected that the Who'll
attention of the members of the legisla
| ing the early part of the session, instea'
of legislation. It is peculiar that tina
year was when Sentaor Davis was frs
elected. That election took place witt
great unanimity, though there was
slight effort made in Senator Mcmillan
! behalf. Senator Mcmillan had had tw