The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-25
BY w. W. Jermane.

-. BY w. w. Jermane.
Washington, June 25-Chroniclers of
the events of the session of congress
just closing-a history making session
such as has not been held since the one
in which war with Spain was declared
must give to Senators Nelson and
Clapp of Minnesota a large share of
credit for what the senate has done in
the. way of perfecting important legis-
latlon. The committee assignments of
the minnesota senators were such that
they participated in the framing of
many of the important bills which re-
ceived the president s approval. This
Important and unimportant, which they
introduced themselves, or which came
over from the house and were put
thru the upper branch Of the national
legislature by them.
Mr.. Nelson stood for the interests of
Minneapolis by introducing. his amend,
ment to increase the cost of the site of
the new postoffice building.
AS a member of the committee on
commerce, Senator Nelson looked after
the many bridge and dam bills of local
Importance. Among them was the Fort
Smelling bridge bill and the bill author
izing the appointment of a commission
to investigate the power possibilities
at the Meeker island dams. The reso-
luton for a Reorganization of the plan
for the Improvement of Duluth harbor
also passed thru that committee with
his aid, as well as the various bills for
the construction of dams and bridges at
various places along the Mississippi
river and tributary waters in the state.
All of them have become laws.
General Measures Handled.
Legislation put in Mr.. Nelson s charge
by this committee affecting interests
outside of Minnesota, included bills for
additional lighthouse districts in Alas
ka, Hawaii and Porto Rico; for improv-
ing the efficiency of the revenue-cutter
ing enlisted men and otherwise chan
cling the old law-and authorizing the
construction of the Lake Erie and Ohio
river ship canal. In his report on this
bill Mr.. Nelson showed how it would
enable the wheat growers of the north
west to get their product to forei ign
markets by an all-water route after
leaving Duluth.
Senator Nelson introduced bill ear
~ in the session to prevent "immunity
baths,' such as was given in the Hum
phrey decision in the meat packers
cases in Chicago, and law covering
this miscarriage of %iustice' finally
went on the statute books in the Knox
bill. Mr.. Nelson also secured the adop-
cy act making city and travelling sales
men preferred creditors, the same as
other employees. Bills affecting sala-
ries of district attorneys and marshals
and for holding terms of courts in other
states. were also handled by the senior
senator.
AS member of the public lands
committee, Senator Nelson secured the
passage of the house bill granting the
state of Minnesota a tract of land for
the Hastings asylum for the insane;
bill to restore certain reservoir lands
to settlement and entry; bill granting
the state of Minnesota land near Cass
lake for a sanatorium for consump-
tives; house bill for the relief of the
ing for the disposition Of certain iso-
lated tracts of land in the state He
also introduced bills for extending the
time for payment for Red Lake coded
lands, and for the sale of Cooper island
in Cass lake to the state of Minnesota
for park purposes. The latter was in
Guided in the Indian appropriation bill
The bill granting the state additional
land for forestry purposes passed the
senate, but has not been acted on by
the house committee.
The most important bill put thru the
committee on territories was the state
hood bill, in framing which the senior
senator took conspicuous part.
Prominent in Alaskan Work.
Senator Nelson is the father of more
Alaska legislation than any other mem
Der of either house. That he is recog
nized as a friend of the territory is
shown by the fact that about one-thiri
of his mail comes from there. He at
tends to all the requests of Alaskan!
as faithfully as to those from his owl
constituents. Alaska legislation which
became law and Of which Mr.. Nelson
is the author or had a large share il
framing include the Alaska DELEGATE
bill; the fisheries bill, which brings tn
administration of affairs relating t.
fisheries industry of the territory VI
to date; bill authorizing the allot
ment Of lands to natives of the terri
tory; appropriating $150,000 for tn
construction of roads amendment t.
the military appropriation billy ; amend
ing the coal land laws to include 64
acres in one group of entries, an
amendment to the general lighthous
bill providing 1925 900 for lighthous
q at Cape Hinchinbrook.
Both the Minnesota senators took
prominent part in the important de