The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1907-02-28
A BUSY TIME
House and Senate GeH Down to
Business. Much Important
Legislation Passed.


The House of Representatives sure
got its working clothes on last week,
and much important buJihess was
transacted. The reciprocal denurrage
bill, the two-cent rate bill and the
bill providing for the manufacturing
of certain kinds of farm madhinery
at tie states prison, were taken up
and passed under suspension Sf the
rules.
1t was expected that trem endOus
fight would be put on these measures,
but they were practically passed
unanimously. Whether the raillbad
companies will acquiesce in the law,
will make a fight in the state senate,
or test the new legislation in the
courts is as yet matter of conjecture.
One thing is certain, they fully real
lied the hopelessness Of the situation
in the house and made not the slight
est effort to stay the passage of the
act.
The women of the state were here in
force on Thursday last in the interest
of the establishment of an Industrial
school for girls. If one thinks that
the women have no capacity for
politics or legislative work they should
have attended that hearing. 1 have
attended committee hearings in both
the state and national legislatures
and have heard all kinds of cases pre-
scented by the ablest men in the la nd.
have listened to attorneys whose
trade it is to talk, and who can name
their own fees and present their
arguments, but never was a case more
ably placed before legislative body
than Mrs. Dorr argued the interests
OF the Industrial school.
II, when the bill comes up Tor action
she could address the House for thirty
minutes | feel confident that the bill
would prevail. 1 see no reason why
she should not be invited to make
such an address. Persons not men,
bers have again and again been invi-
ted to address the House. 1t has oc-
fuyed once this session to my know
ledge. The question is one of the
greatest importance. Mrs. Dorr I'M
| derstands it in all its phases as no
other person in the state understands
it. Not only would the members get
clear and comprehensive view of the
question under discussion, but they
would get some pointers On Legislative
oratory that would be of great value
| to them.
On Tuesday there was another pub
lie hearing, this time before the
Temperance committee on the ques-
ton of county option. The meeting
was called in the room of the Judiciary
Committee, but long before the time
of calling the meeting to order came
the room was filled to suffocation, the
corridors were blocked, and business
practically suspended on account of
the crowds. 1t was found necessary
to adjourn to the hall of the House OF
Representatives. 1t was a crowd OF
earnest, determined men and women
that made up the audience. After
just fOrty-five minutes of session a
member of the committee moved adj
journment, very much to the disgust
OF the audience, many of whom had
come hundreds of miles to attend the
meeting. 1t seemed to me that the
meeting might have continued longer,
and such continuance would have
put the visiting delegations in much
better humor.
In every matter of public hearing it
is always wise to give every audience
fair hearing even if it costs some
time and trouble.
On Tuesday the State Senate passed
the Peterson two-c9nt rate bill. 1t
was not the same bill passed by the
House, but along the same lines.
This will necessitate a conference be-
tween the two bodies, but no doubt
an agreement will be speedily reached
and the bill become law.
The senate also passed an anti-pass
bill, SO you see the Minnesota Legis-
lative body has been making history
the past few days.
Old Timer