Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-03-13
ST. PAUL LETTER.
ST PAUL, March IL, 1901.

ST PAUL, March IL, 1901.
The primary election bill passed the
house on Monday, in much the manner
in which the choice of United States
Senator was made. When the oppo-
sition, bitter opposition, by the way,
had received the impression that the
bill would muster votes enough to
pass it, there was band wagon move
ment to get on the right side.
The Hurd Oil Inspection bill, plac-
ing the fee Office of State Oil Inspec-
tor, now worth S25, 1000 or $50, 900, up
on salary basis, passed the senate,
amended all out of its original form
and so as to take effect after Fred
Schitfman, the administration appoin-
tee, shall have finished his term, and,
as Senator Miller rem arked in protest,
when democrat is more than likely
to succeed him. The house will kill
the bill as amended and it will have
another journey through the senate.
The fact that the bill was amended by
republican senator, Chiffon, to take
effect when it cannot possibly inter-
fere with the princely future income
OF the present incumbent of the Office,
will deprive the republican brethren of
some expected campaign material and
furnish it, la American mules at
South Africa, to the 'enemy.''
The biggest woodchuck of the term
is the Burns-Thompson bill, now In
the hands Of the three city delegations
of St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth,
placed there as result of the splen-
did work of Senator c. o. Baldwin, of
Duluth. The bill is a very innocent
appearing one, extending to individu-
ais the same rights as those enjoyed
now by corpor ations, to erect poles
aud string telegraph and telephone
wires along the roads and highways of
the state, described by Senator Thomp-
son as farmers bill.' Tie Loch-
ren decision in the U. S. Circuit Court
handed down some, three months ago,
lnterprets ''roads and highways" to
include in their meaning the streets,
avenues and alleys of city. AS the
law reads, any individual, or corpor-
alton under the Lochren interpreter
tion, may enter the city, without OBJ
tanning the consent of the governing
power of such city and make use of
any and all streets for purposes of
erecting its poles and string it's wires.
Senator Baldwin took a stand for
municipal ownership, and contepded
that franchises are aasets4of the peo-
pie OF the city. valuable assets, ac-
cording as the people have worked to
build up progressive community.
They should be so considered and dis
posed of. He offered an amendment,
which would not in the least interfere
with the granting of the coveted rights
to individual farmers who wanted to
have community telephone lines, but
which would make it incumbent upon
individuals or corporations, when en-
tering a city, to first obtain permis-
sion from the governing power of that
city. The bill was widely discussed
and there was much feeling over it.
The city members became finally
aroused. as did some of the more clear
headed ones from the outside, who saw
that the amendment would not hurt the
bill for the alleged purpose of its in
PRODUCTION, but without it, cities would
be left at the mercy of the telephone
corporations, who need not ask con-
sent of the people to their entering and
taking possession of their streets. In
Duluth, there is practically municipal
ownership, as the city has sold its
plant to a company, with the right to
purchase it back for reasonable cost,
guard and restrict it's privileges and
has the free use of some Is or 20
phones, thrown in. Rates are lower
and the plan works very successfully.
The Northwestern Telephone CON-
papy, whose hand has been apparent
from the first, has now asked hear
ing in the matter. The deleg ations
from the three cities have unanimous
ly declared in favor of the Baldwin
amendment. The end is not yet.
A bill, which will be of interest to
Kandiyohi county passed the house on
the 9Th inst, and is now in the senate,
having been referred to Senator's Grue
and McKusick, of Pine county, tor
consideration. The gentlemen will re.
i port the bill with suggested amend.
ments. It is not considered a merito.
rious document, and smacks of favor
itism toward certain individuals, rath'
er than good business sense on the
part of the counties concerned.
The Tax Commission will be ap
pointed tomorrow. The commission
will probably be ex-Attorney Genera
Childs, G. c.. Jelly, of Minneapolis
and probably ex-Lieut. Gov. Ives
The Pan-American commission will b'
appointed within few days, as tn
bill has passed the legislature appro
priating $4,000 for q Minnesota ex
hibit at the Buffal Fair. + - r
Senator Young's short session reso
+ luton is still held up in the house an
will be made special order for Fri
!, day. -~..s@ ..ssss. J..
, Auction Sales.
> J. J. Holmgren, Mamre, March II. 3x..
Halvor Fredsvotd. East Lake Lillia,
s Thursday, March Il.