The Minneapolis journal., 1901-02-21
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE |
MILLER GIVES VI
Can't Find Out Who Tempered With
the Express Co. Bill.
HIS COMMITTEE MAKES A REPORT.
Recommends That the Enrolling
Clerk BE Given More
Help, Etc.

Senator Miller's efforts to discover who
tampered with the bill levying a gross
earnings tax on express companies failed,
but the agitation will doubtless lead the
legislature to make provisions to prevent
such alterations in the future The legis-
iature agreed on a gross earnings tax
of per cent. When the bill reached
Governor Lind, however, the figures
a" per cent had been replaced by the
figure 70" and the purpose of the legis
lature was defeated. That the substitu-
tion was intentional was evident, and
Senator Miller was placed at the head of
joint committee to investigate. The
committee submitted a report to both
houses this morning
The report states that the original en-
crossed bill now on file in the Office of
the secretary of state has attached to it
the amendment adopted by the senate
and the first conference committees re-
port to the house, but that all other
amendments and reports corresponding to
the Endorsements on the bill are missing.
The various proceedings of both houses,
it is said, are indorsed on the bill. 1t is
apparent, therefore, the report says, that
the error in the enrolment was due to
the loss Of the report of the last confer
ence committee and the failure of the
enrolling clerk to notice its absence. In
view Of the number of hands through
which the bill passed, the committee can
not say how such report was removed or
lost. 1t is cited that the enrolling clerk
had twice as much work in the closing
hours Of the senate as he could attend
/ to, and no blame is attached to him.
a Recommendation.
The committee, in view Of all the facts
discovered, recommends that hereafter all
reports and amendments be made in
duplicate SO one copy may be given to
the journal clerk for record and one at
tached to the bill. 1t also recommends
more help for the enrolling clerk in the
closing days Of the session. 1t also "calls
attention to the necessity of keeping all
bills under safe guardianship. and the i'm
portance of having no one in the employ
of either house or allowed the privilege
of the floor who Is not of good moral
character and known integrity"
WOodchuck Somewhere.
Senator Sivright introduced a bill
amending four chapters relating to the
duties and fees of surveyor general. Mr..
Sivright says it reduces the fees some
what, but he does not like the Rich bill
in the house, placing the surveyors on
salary basis.
A bill introduced by Senator Grindeland
provides for the issuance OF a first grade
teachers certificate to any one who has
completed three-years' course in any
state normal school.
A National Park Bill.
A movement to have the Leech Lake,
Winnibigashish Mississippi, Chippewa
and Cass Lake Indian reservations set
aside for national park, sanatorium and
forest reserve purposes was started by
Senator Johnson. He offers a memorial
to congress requesting the appointment of
a joint congressional commission to in
vestigate. The laads are to be withheld
from sale or numbering operations until
the commission reports Minnesotas rep
resentatives in congress are urged to use
their best efforts to further the move
ment.
Bills Passed.
The following bills were passed:
S. F. 135, BatZ-RelatiLg to the prevention
Of adulteration Of and deception in the sale
of white lead and mixed paints
S. F. 127, McGill-To cure defects in real
estate tax judgment sales to enforce pay
ment of delinquent taxes
H. F. IA, Gandrud-To repeal chapter S42 of
the general laws of 1895, relating to the en-
couragement for the use of certain wagons
H. F. 81, Wallace-To amend section TO-
chapter S52, general laws 1899, entitled .'To
encourage better condition of the public
oSAOOiS, e%AO w. dpPEOplldle money I0CrefOr.
etc."
H. F. 100, Henricks-Proposing an amend
! ment to section 6, article of the constitu
| ton, relating to school funds education and
| science.
S. F. 21S, Knatvold (under suspension. Of
rules)-Appropriating s42,3 300 for the public
! schools of the state.
H. F. 306 (under suspension Of rules)-
Changing term of court in twelfth judicial
| district.
Daugherty Is Named.
Lieutenant Governor Smith announced
the appointment of Senator Daugherty to
act with Representatives Laybourn and
| Mallory on a commission to confer with A
| similar body from the Wisconsin legisla-
ture with regard to the uniform taxation
| of vessels.
Hurd's Bill Referred.
| In committee of the whole the senate
! had some lively passages. Rukard Hurd' S
| bill placing the oil inspection department
/ on salary basis was up. Senator Ev-
erett, chairman of the committee on IL
Illuminating oils. expressed himself as in
suited when 1t was proposed to act on
/ the bill without referring it,
| Senator Wilson called attention to the
| fact that two years ago a similar bill had
| been jockeyed from one committee to an
! other until it was too late to pass it, But
| Senator Everett was obdurate. So the
| bill was finally referred to his committee
! with instructions to report within one
/ week
The BilIs Future.
| When it gets back Senator Sheehan will
! insist that it be referred to the finance
| committee because it carries with it an an
preparation for salaries. Then some one
will demand that it go to the judiciary
committee. All possible fiIibustering tac-
tics will be employed by the friends of In
! spector Schiffman and the St. Paul gang.
Wilson's Bill for Passage.
Senator Wilson's measure making the
salaries and wages of all public officers
and salaries subject to garnishment. exc
cution and attachment, was recommended
! for passage by an overwhelming vote.
| No garnishment proceedings against
the wages OF those who draw their stipends
weekly will be permitted by the senate
Senator Wilson's bill making weekly SAL
aries and wages in excess of 50 subject to
garnishment was killed by the failure of
several senators to vote. Twenty seven
| votes were mustered in favor of the bill
and twenty lone against, but thirty-two
votes were necessary for passage. The
arguments used by the opposition were
only repetitions of those heard when the
measure was up on general orders.
The senate adjourned until next Mon
day evening at 8 o'clock.
WOULD COST s275,oOo