The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-03-05
6be Legislature.
Items ef Interest from
Minnesota So1ons. -

took up as special order the Morley
board of control bill and after discuss
the bill for two hours the house ad-
journed over to Monday and postponed
action on the bill until yesterday after
noon. The St. Paul Dispatch says:
'Within the past three weeks there
has been a most notable change in Leg
islative sentiment relative to the State
board of control. A large majority of
the members came to St. Paul filled
with the general prejudice against the
board, and in favor of doing almost
anything to embarrass that body.
There has been a decided change in
sentiment evident. 1t began with the
address of Chairman Leavitt before the
joint house and senate committee some
days ago. Members who have been
giving close study and attention to the
management of State institutions are
coming around to the board of control
point of view. Three weeks ago, both
houses, especially the senate, was in
favor of cutting the university and nor
NAL schools loose from the board of con-
troll without any argument. That SEN
timent has largely disappeared and
several members of the legislature
have offered to wager that no change
will be made in the law. The senate
will take up the board of control bills
on special order next Thursday, and
a long discussion is promised. The
friends of the board of control system
feel very much more confident than
they did few weeks ago that the leg
islature will not take any hasty action
in the matter.
The county option bill has made it's
appearance, and is now in the game.
It does not apply to any county contain
ing a city of more than 10000, which
excludes not only Hennepin, Ramsey
and St. Louis, but Winona, Stearns and
Blue Earth counties. The bill provides
that on petition signed by one-tenth
of the voters of the county, an election
must be held on the second Tuesday of
March, to determine by ballot 'whether
license to sell Intoxicating liquors may
be granted in and for such county," If
the county votes license, then licenses
may be granted by towns under the
State law: but the proposition may be
submitted each year. If the county
goes ''dry," the prohibition against
license runs for four years, when it
lapses unless another vote is taken.
Representative Mark introduced a
bill in the house Tuesday morning re-
quiring railroad corporations operating
lines within the State to provide free
transportation for all members of the
legislature, and State officials, appoint
ees and judges. The bill requires all
railroads to send to the State auditor
annual passes for the executive and
judicial officers of the State and mem
bers of the legislature on or before
Dec. % of each year. Thereafter an
nuals are to be issued to State appoint
ees within ten days from the time the
roads are notified of the appointments
by the auditor. The bill makes it a
misdemeanor for a person other than
the one to whom the pass is issued to
use the same and for an official holding
such pass to make any charge against
the State for transportation is made a
felony punishable by from three to five
years in States prison.
The senate committee on judiciary has
recommended the passage of two i'm
portant bills affecting the State consti-
ton. One was introduced by Senator
F. H. Peterson of Moorhead, providing
for holding a constitutional convention
to adopt new constitution. The other
is Senator Samuel Lords bill providing
that amendments to the constitution
may be adopted by a majority of all
votes cast on the amendment instead of
a majority of all cast at the election.
If Senator Peterson's bill passes it will
be at least 1906 before the convention
can be called. The question will have
to be voted on at the general election
in 1904. If it is carried the legislature
of 1905 will provide for calling the con-
vention and the delegates will be
elected in the year following. Senator
Lords bill, if passed, will also have to
be submitted to the people. If ma.
jority of all the votes cast at the cleo
ton are in favor of the amendment it
will become part of the constitution.
The house committee on temperance
has recommended for passage Ole
Peterson's bill devoting money paid
into the townships on account of liquor
licenses to the road and bridge fund Of
such townships.
=. After spirited debate last Friday
the law introduced by Senator Barker
extending the school term to six months