The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-03

va
Repudiated Bonds-Discusses Rail
road Legislation.
Senator Knute Nelson addressed the
Minnesota legislature today. The
senior United States senator compli-
mented the capitol commission in carry
ing out legislation providing for a new
governor. This brought a round of ap.
plause. He also spoke Of the value OF
the revised statutes now being consid-
cred by the legislature, and declared
in favor Of their adoption.
Senator Nelson gave a brief account
of his stewardship at Washington. In
cidentally be c~ontroverted the preva-
between the president and the legisla-
tive branch Of the government.
After detailing the repeal OF the for
est reserve scrip law and the failure
of the statehood bill Senator Nelson
said:
"Legislation at Washington was
rather of a, tentative character, for the
two houses could not get together. The
railroad rate regulation bill came to the
senate rather late in the session and
the committee felt that it should have
further time in which to investigate.
To a large extent it is error to say that
much friction exists between the SEN
ate and the house. Conflict arose over
the arbitration treaties, for the southern
senators were afraid that eventually
some Of the claims for repudiated state
bonds of stose states would be submit
tied to arbitration. The republicans,
lacking two-thirds of the senate, were
obliged to amend the treaties or they
would have failed. I was one Of the
thirteen senator's, including Vice Presi.
dent Fairbanks and Senator Platt of
Connecticut, who voted for the treaties
in their original form. AS to the santo
Domingo, treaty, the republicans agaln
did not have the necessary two thirds,
but there are reasons relating to the
merits of the claims against the island
government why it is just as well that
this treaty should go over.
Not Opposed to Presidents Policy.
"Here, again, there was a seeming
friction between the president n the
senate, but I assure you that there IS
oppose the president in his foreign
policy. It is out of the question:
Senator Nelson prophesied a special
session in late October to pass railroad
rate regulation and revise the tariff.
The object of the president is to give to
the interstate commerce commission ad-
d%itional powers in the regulation OF the
railroads..
what congress may do in the re-
vision of the TARIFF he said, els prob,
lematical. The tariff is largely a local
issue. The attitude Of the farmers OF
the northwest in opposing wheat draw
backs is evidence of the general feel,
ing. What happened here happens all
over the country when local INSTITUTIONS
- I--L---l I-1 - 1oco NJ NrNtnnfl0n
but I am quite sure that congress WILL
evolve some kind of a tariff bill:
1T believe that congress will pass
some kind of a railroad rate bill, but
whether it will go the extent of the
Esch- Townsend bill, I am not prepared
to say. There are two important con-
siderations and both have opposition
The one is the establishment or a coaTe
at Washington to which, all appeals
from the commission shall be made, and
the other is the enlargement Of the pow,
ers of the commission to conform prac'
tically to the Minnesota law. Under
the Minnesota law, which L regard az
one of the best in the union, there mas
been no complaint by the railroao r aI
courts I do not believe that the rail
roads need apprehend any, grave dan
GERS from this law. They do not suffer
any hardships here and l do not appfe
held they will at large. There must 2!
/ doWn by our highest courts is that {
) Great railroad trust should be amenabi,'
r to some kind of national regulation:
, Senator Nelson's remarks, made quiz
conversationally, were literally ap
plauded. The house commlttee TO es
cort Senator Nelson to the chambee;
were T. T. Ofsthun, R. J. Wells, John G
lennon. John Zelch and A. K. Ware
The Senatorial committee was 6. = Z
Ward, John G. Schultz and M II
Everett.
1.o,nchirp Committee Meets.