The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-08
Horizons Sharp Attack.

SellG lOI IlOlIOil CpCllCu VII SAAO oloSSiS
association with the best he had: This
association which sits in secret council
and fixes the price Of every commodity
which goes into cur homes comes boldly
here and asks that we pass laws to grant
still more power. Their paid lobbyists
have been haunting the chamber with
their threats and pleadings. The lobby
ing is going on here this very minute.
They are lobbying on the floor Of the SEN
ate in direct violation Of the rules and
against the dignity of this body"
THE point Of the senator from Ram
sey is we'll taken" interrupted Lieutenant
Governor Ray w. Jones. And he Or
dered in a sharp tone, 1.-The sergeant-at
arms will prevent any lobbying on the
floor OF the senate
Senator Laybourn, the champion of the
Soule bill. defended the grocers' asso-
citation, which he said was composed Of
$500 members, as good citizens as were
to be found in any community. More
over, the bill had been Endorsed by the
state hardware dealers and the druggists,
all reputable merchants and entitled to
consideration. "All we ask" he said, lis
that this bill be placed general or
ders and receive proper consideration"
- Aimed at Dead Beats.
Senator George P. Wilson, speaking in
favor Of the bill, argued that the work.
ingmen, of whom the speakers were so
SNASiIoNo, SOu1I Ilot ObJSCL " Lllo 1ucdS-
ure. Ninety per cent and more of them
were honest and paid their debts. The
Soule measure was intended only for
dead BEATS
i By having their wages paid weekly they
We're able to evade the present exemp-
ton of $25. The Soule measure was a
Just bill in every particular. T% -
lit is true that we have dead beats
in the state admitted Senator Henry
Morgan, but we have more unfortunates.
IN good times the punishment law is of
no particular HARM but in times of dis
tress 1t works great hardships and often
unjustly. The merchants do not want
this bill. as / have taken time to in
form myself. The only ones who want it
are the collecting agencies. who live on
the misery of others, and pettifogging
attorneys"
Senator Putnam cited the case Of a
laborer who had come to his community
and secured work on the railroad at ST. 10
q day. Just before the monthly pay day
his first months wages were garnished
by collection firm. The mans money
was tied up and he was without means
of any kind. At that time his wife was
In bed with a. babe but a few days old
and the house was cared for by girl
of IL years. For six days this family
subststed on cold potatoes until the neigh
bors, learning Of their plight, brought
food. ::
The garnishment law is used as a
. means of oppression, and do you want to
pass a law to give additional powers to
these harpies?" he asked.
Whole State Interested.
1T is not a question here whether the
grocers association wants this bill or
does not declared Senator Wood. Its
a question of whether the bill is right or
not. We are not legislating specially for
the grocers but for the whole state and
as such it is not right. When farmer
can secure exemption for eighty acres of
land and all that he can get upon it, and
a. merchant can secure exemption under
certain cases for tens Of thousands of
dollars. why attack the poor and humble
and rob them Of their pittance?
II know of no merchants that want this
bill. It is drawn in the interest of COL
lection agencies. who take bills for COL
lection on commission. From an extended
acquaintance with collecting agencies, I
say that ordinarily they are only
scavengers."
After call Of the senate vote was
taken on the McNamee motion to recon-
sider 81.
Eberhart Bill. Passes.
The Eberhart bill placing a. limit of tel
years on the term of office of field and
general officers of the national guard wa;
1t possible to retire General Band and ad;
vance Colonel Bobleter, colonel Of the Sec
ond regiment, to the rank Of brigadiel