The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-01
HOLES IN HIS 4RMOR
DR.. Babcock's Vaunted Record
{, Pulled to. Pieces BY His Col,
/. leagues.
Voted in Favor Of Railroad Consol-
idations and Against Lower
y ing Of Rates.

Since DR.. Babcock raised. the issue of
legislative records In the speakership con-
test, some Of his fellow members Of the
last legislature have been scanning the
6les of the house journal, with interest
Ing results. ~ 49, = 21<s57Ef - ~. E,
his record with that Of L. III. johnson is
found to contain one palpable misstate-
menr, at least. go 80
Dr. Babcock did not vote for the board
Of control bill. as his letter claims. The
vote on the bill is given on uage 499, house
journal of 1901. It shows among the noes
not only the name of L. H. johnson. but
also that of DR.. Babcock. =.
This is a settled issue, however. The
board Of control law will be amended this
winter, but it will not be repealed.
Railroad legislation will once more be
to the front, and it will be ha I'd fought as
aver. The. gross earnings bill will have to
be passed again. and resu;bmitted, but
there will be another fight. The records
show where the doctor was in the former
contest over this measure. He was for
Anything to get rid of It.. -
Freight rates will be inquired into this
winter. This Is question: Of vital i'm
portance, which has been raised by the
merger agitation. There is a general
feeling that the transcontinental lines
could still turn fair profit after a sub
stantia1 reduction in rates. 1t is believed
that an attempt will be made early in the
session to investigate this question
Through legislative committee.
Progressive members Of the new legis-
lature are wondering what would be the
attitude Of DR.. Babcock toward such a
proceeding. and what sort of q. commit
Zee he would name If he were speaker.
y! His Vote on Railroad Measures.
" DR.. Babcock's record speaks for itself,
and his vote on several measures speaks
as eloquently as his stand on the gross
earnings bill. AS to railroad rates, he
had just one chance to declare himself
last session. That was on the Penning-
ton bill introduced at the extra session.
fixing maximum rates for the transporta-
ton OF iron ore. This was an attempt to
lido what the railroad and warehouse COM
mission had failed to do. It was bitter
ly fought by the steel trust lobby. It
came before the house March 8, two days
show was suspension Of the rules. That
motion required two-thirds vote, and
failed. getting only So. There were 81
who voted against suspension Of the rules
and one Of them was DR.. Babcock.
!: Vote on Merger.
: At the regular session DR.. Babcock had
two chances to declare himself on rail-
road mergers and consultations. Both
times he lined up with the merger crowd
and helped to defeat the pending
measures, his name standing on roll cal
alongside Of Sid Barteau and Albert Berg
One Of these opportunities was on a
senate resolution, calling on the attorney
general to investigate the reported con.
solidation Of railroad corporations. This
came up the last day Of the session, ant
required suspension Of the rules, anC
failed to get the necessary 80 votes. The
); vote stood 81 to %, and DR.. Babcock wa:
one Of the twenty eight voting to kill the
a resolution.
& Some Of his colleagues assert that hi.
vote on that proposition kills the effect O.
his words spoken later, commencing Gov
Is ernor Van SAINT for his action on tn,
NJ same proposition. This vote is found OF
page 1917 Of the house journal session o
1901.
The other merger resolution was onM b,
Jacobson. calling for the appointment =
a committee to investigate the 'cosoliA,,
+. ton of the Northern Pacific and the ST
Paul & Duluth. This was beaten, So t.
40. and DR.. Babcock was one of the 5
who helped to beat it, - 81.
Ill On all Of these propositions, the recor
OF Lawrence H. johnson Is clean, H
voted for each one Of the three
s. Still Hunt To-day.
/. The speakcrship contest was quiet ia
* day Pending the governors return bot
sides are doing quiet personal work anon
tiIc HSiADStS. IL is SI1ll WOrk nov
The lines have been drawn and while bot
sides make general claims of gain.
neither will specify anything or give an
information that might lead counte
moves by the opposition. Both candidate
have their friends out over the state, hus
Ting among the republican members.
The Johnson men claim a gain in TIL
third district. Babcock has assurance
Of the first district solid, but at his head
quarters they admit that three have re
pudiated the action Of the steering CON
Eittee. AS matter Of fact eight come
nearer the truth.
Governor Van SAINT will return fro,
Battle Creek, Mich, Tomorrow and wi
be beseiged for All expression Of his view
He will not be in the position Of dictatin
TO the legislature. It viii be the legisls
ture seeking his advice. Iiis friends al
sure that he will not hesitate to speak h
mind, ana declare against the election
a speaker backed by railroad Influence.
HANGING FROM THE RAFTER