The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-05
FITZPATRICK SAVES
BILL BY ELOQUENCE
Makes Witty Speech Against
Killing of His Judiciary EIeC-
ton Measure

Once more did the eloquence of Sena-
tor Fitzpatrick of Winona change the
fate OF bill at the eleventh hour.
This time it was the Winona senators
own bill, and it SO happens, the only
bill he has offered during the entire
session.
An attempt TO indefinitely postpone
the measure. which authorizes the
holding of elections in March of the
even numbered years of district and
supreme court judges, was made by
Senator Cole. as chairman Of the COM
mittee on elections, which did not like
the bill.
The senator from Winona slowly
arose from his seat, and moved as a
substitute, that his bill be printed and
placed on general orders Then he ex-
planned why. Although the senator's
demeanor was stern and his tones
stentorian, his sarcastic humor pene-
trated the senate chamber, and before
the senator finished, his applauding
colleagues were shaking with laughter.
Asks for Diagnosis
What would like to know, is what
ails mly bill?" exclaimed Senator Fitz-
patrick. The committee on elections
wants it indefinitely postponed, but it
doesn't give any reasons. 1 grant 1t
gave me two hearings and treated me
with marked kindness and extended
every courtesy. But 1 protest against
being killed with kindness, or asphyx-
lated with courtesy.
Gentlemen of the senate" continued
the white haired solon without the sus-
picion of a smile upon his rugged coun-
tenance. This is the sole measure I
have introduced at this session of the
legislature. All l ask Is to put my lit
tie play upon the board and give it Il
trial. If 1t is to be killed, let ii die
with its boots on, with its back to the
field and its beak to the foe! 0augh-
teri Remember, gentlemen the things
haven't asked for at this session. Re-
member the bridge bills / haven't Of
fered, the things / haven't done to
the state treasury, things indeed which
would have constructed a platform be-
side which the merger would look like
diminutive pill boxi
This session is drawing to its close,
gentlemen, and your remorse will come
too late If you allow me to go back to
my constituents, to that bourne from
which at least no Democrat was ever
known to return, without being able to
point to my name once in this pom
uerOuS tome OF senate DlllS!
Here Senator Fitzpatrick held alOft
| the file of senate bills that bore the
| names of his colleagues. In conclusion,
| the senator from Winona said:
The only objection have heard TO this
| bill is that it will increase the number of
| elections and make more expense. Is 1t
| desirable. then to avoid an expression of
| the will OF the people; and Is the money
| so spent in familiarizing them with the
use of the ballot wasted?
My idea is that IL is wise to simplify
| elections. to make them orderly and seri-
| Gus civil functions instead of wild carni-
walls of excitement; that political issues
should be presented to them In the logical
| manner in which the law requires issues
| of fact to be presented to a jury, one at
| time.
The people should be given opportunity
/ and encouraged to approach the ballot
box they go to church. frequently,
/ calmly and reverentially. They should be
| encouraged in the belief that the ballot
| box is the palladium of their liberties,
| OF their citizenship, an instrument and
| weapon in the right use of which they
| should become proficient. to the end that
1 II may become in practice and in fact
| what II is now in theory and poetry:
| A weapon that comes down as still
AS snowf1akes fall upon the sod.
Yet which registers freemans will
| AS lightning does the will of God
| Senator Fftzpatrick's motion to place
j the bill on general orders prevailed, and
| its merits will be ventilated.
| The senators, as we'll as the gallery
| and press table applauded the senator's
| speech literally, for his oratorical gifts
| are fully appreciated by his collea CUES