The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-19
SENATE is SHlFTH
Votes to Stand by Steering Commit
tee but Doesn't Do 1t.

tee, but Doesn't Do 1t.
It took the senate an hour and a half
this morning to make up its mind to stand
by the steering committee. Even then 1t
reversed itself by turning the committee
down wherever an opportunity offered
The action proved that general legislation
is to be considered at this session.
The fight came on Senator Halvorson's
resolution to abrogate rules 6S and 69
the purpose of which is to exclude all
legislation except curative and local bills
The resolution was defeated, SO to ~
Three senators at once gave nOtlce OF
amendments tomorrow, and the tight Will
. then be renewed. AS they stand at pres
ent the rules leave the steering commit
tee no option The committee is to decide
whether bills can be considered other
than general legislation. If not, they
must be reported for indefinite postpone
81 ment and can be taken up only by ma
jOrity vote.
D. Senator Ives gave notice Of an amend
ment providing that majority OF those
voting should secure considerations Sen
ator Schaller announced an amendment
requiring the committee to report out
general bills as such without recommen-
dation Senator MCGOWAN will offer q
similar amendment.
Senator Halvorsen said the steering
committee had blocked all legislation be-
cause it's reports were so sacred the sen
ate had not dared to turn them down. II
: the committee should be continued, he
predicted that it might block Legislation
even more important than the tax code.
In the light Of what happened atterward,
this argument seems like huge joke.
~ Jones Is Emphatic.
Senator j. D. Jones denied emphatically
that the steering committee mad plocked
legislation. He said:
mo committee can block legislation in
this body, and the gentleman from Lac
qui Parle knows it. Whenever thlrty-tWo
vote to take up measure it must be con-
sidered. The rule is good. The intention
Of the senate when it passed this rule
was good. If you let the bars down harm
will result
Senator Schaller thought the rule opght
to be amended so as to permit theh COM
, mittee to report on the merits of the
bills. Senator Miller said that the rule
, had amounted to an agreement not to go
into general legislation. If the door
should be opened he predict ed that all
sorts of bills would be offered, among
them series Of amendments to the pri-
mary election law and a bill designed to
repeal the board of control act, which
would prolong the session Indefinitely.
:. Prompt Change of Front. @
= Following this discussion, four senate
bills that had either been turned down or
tabled were taken up and referred to
committees, the report OF the committee
i In each case being overruled. Among
them was the proposed amendment to the
primory election law, and Senator Nc
Gowans measure to legalize the name
Socialist so that it might be placed on the
official ballot Senator Lord, of the steer
ing committee, then rose and said:
II am under the impression that this
committee still lives, and I want to say
that we will meet immediately after ad-
5 journment."
On motion of Senator J. H. Smith those
employees who had been Instructed to be
present at the opening of the session
were allowed mileage. When first intro
duced, this proposition was defeated but
it was carried to-day with only seven
noes. The senate confirmed the gov
ernors recess appointments. Two mes
sages were received from the governor,
one touching upon the proposed amend
ment to the Lord bill, and another re-
garding matters in the Office of the pub
lie examiner. Both were laid upon the
table and will be considered tomorrow.