The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-05
WILSON'S BLUM Talk
TELLS REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS
THEY ARE SIMPLY WASTING
THEIR TIME
HOTELS ARE TOO ATTRACTIVE
WARMTH AND CHEER OF INNS RE-
sPoNsIBLE FOR VACANT
SEATS
RELIEF IS IN SIGHT, HOWEVER
Majority Holds Caucus and Decides
on EARLY Adjournment, Though
Authors of Bills Have
a kick.

"C0nfisaen TALLY gentlemen, 1 want
to say that am utterly ashamed of
the manner In which this Repub-
Ifcan legislature has wasted it's time
since, we convened on Jan. 8. You
and have spent more time at our
hotels than we have at our desks
In the senate and house of repre-
sentatiVes. If it were not for this,
we could have cleared away all the
business that has come before us,
and would now not be covered up
with unfinished matter which rem
ders it necessary for some to ques-
ton the possibility of getting this
work off our hands in case the early
adjournment is taken"
Senator Wilson, former attorney gem
eral of the state, now one of the Repub-
lican leaders in the legislature and one
of its most conservative members, made
the above remarks last night in the Re-
publican legislative caucus, which was
held for the purpose of acting upon the
matter of adjourning the Legislature on
April s. Senator Wilson had evident
ly gone to the meeting prepared to make
this very statement "confidentially,' for
he was foremost in clamoring for a
secret session, excluding representatives
of the press, and allowing none but Re
publican members of the senate and
house to attend the meeting. The ses-
sion was not executive, however
The same Republican statesman dub
bed the caucus last night as a mere
farce-a school boys meeting He per-
haps could have selected no more pre-
else terms, for, despite the efforts of
himself and others of the rational ele-
ment, the caucus was little else than a
jangling of voices. Senator McGin pre-
sided, and did his utmost to command
ord0~ but was wholly unable One SEN
ator became so obstreperous that 1t was
necessary for Mr.. McGill to make a
personal appeal in behalf Of the other
members before he would even partially
subSide.
The caucus finally managed to pass
motion made by Senator Young that
it be the sense of the members present
that the legislature adjourn on April s.
in view of the fact that the tax COM
mission would have a long report to
make on the revision of the state tax
laws about a year hence, at which time
it would be necessary for the legislature
to come together and act upon that re-
port. The vote on the motion stood Il
for and 25 against Representative Lay
bourn, the author of the tax commits
sion bill, was one who voted against
the early adjournment.
Mr. Roberts. of Hennepin practically
voiced the sentiments expressed by Gen
Wilson, and endorsed in part by others
when he said that If the legislature
would "onlv get down to business and
save, instead of waste, time" all the
business could be gotten out of the way
and the early adjournment taken at the
time Indicated.
DUNN IS BARRED.
1t was perfectly apparent at the outset
that the senators and representatives
intended to settle the matter without
outside assistance. When it was suggest
ed by one Of the members that State
Auditor Dunn be allowed to come in
and say few words, there were con-
tinued cries of NO. no." Mr.. Dunn did
not enter.
Most of those who voted against the
early adjournment idea had some meas
ure pending or maturing which they
feared could not be finally disposed of If
the session terminated on April s. Mr.
Jacobson, author of the railroad gross
earnings tax bill, was of course anxious
for his bill, and secured an oral pledge
from the caucus that the legislature
would act decisiveiy and finally upon
that measure before adjournment before
he would vote upon the motion Mr.
Jacobson stated that he was favorable !
to early adjournment because it would
be wise political policy, but he deem
ed the gross earnings bill of more Inn
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