The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-01-19
LEGISLA IIVI E GOSSIP

|LEGlSLAIIV b GOSSIP
Our Special Correspondent Tells 81
the Solons' Doings.
Tho Usual Scramble for Oface. Tho APP
pointment of the Committees Sets
the Whole Legislative Machi- +
feaz. merry In Motion.
st. Paul. MIMI. Jan. u.-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
Its 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. g
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, 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
mt 1rf& SA~A- Il
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-
roads and other important committees
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-
lattve branches and realize that he has
established precedent which may come
home to roost.
AS usual at the beginning of the SEES
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
mfssioners, 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 McGtll introduced an impor-
tant bill yesterday. bringing the grain in
spection officials under the civil service.
If this should become law 1t would re-
move the grain inspector from the foot
ball Of politics. Thirty-one bills have al
ready been launched in the Senate.
Representative Jacobson had his in
nings early on the grain commission, as
he offered a resolution calling for an in
vestigation in the Republican caucas the
evening before the session began and
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 also
prepares to raise the tax on railroads
from three to four per cent. on the gross
earnings.
The House always leads the Senate, in
the number OF bills introduced and the
hoe 81
journed yesterday afternoon. The indi-,
cations are that the session will be pro-
ductive OF a large amount Of attempted
later will be better time to decide.
st. Paul. MIMI. Jan. 12.-Only once be-
fore during the history of the state has
there been a year when a United States
Senator was to be elected that the whole
attention of the members of the legsla-
ture was not devoted to that subject dur
ing the early part of the session. instead
of legislation. 1t IS peculiar that that
year was when Sentaor Davis was first
elected. That election took place with
great unanimity. though there was a
slight effort made in Senator McMillan's
behalf Senator Mcmillan had had two
terms and 1t was only a few warm per-
sona' friends who had any idea he could
secure a third term, but an early caucus
disposed of that hope so that the legisla-
ture was ready to begin work at once
When Senator Davis was given his
second term there was an element Of
doubt until the absolute roll call in the
legislature. 1t is certainly curious con-
dftion Of political affairs, which enables
Senator Davis. not only to break the
record by securing third term, but to
do so with absolute unanimity, when he
had SO hard fight to secure his second
lease OF the place. The caucus the
second day of this session having
nominated him. the question of the
election. which takes place on the
18th. is little thought of and scarcely
mentioned. so that whatever energy
the legislature has is being devoted
to regular work, and the usual lobby.
which is on hand when a senator is to be
elected. Is this time conspicuous by its
absence.
The senate yesterday did not have a
great deal Of business on hand, only four
| bills being offered. and none of those of
| much Importance Representative ia
cobson's resolutions for a joint commit
tee to Investigate the state grain depart
| ment and binding twine management In
the penttentiary went to committee.
| but this is no indica ton Of hostility and
1t will undoubtedly pass today.
The house was too much engrossed
| with listening to Speaker Dare's an
nouncement of the committees, and
| studying them over after they were an
| nounced. to do a great deal of business.
Judging from the talk on the outside.