The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-02-15
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE

st. Paul, Mimi, Feb. by a vote
of so to 80, the house today declined
to increase the salary of each mem
Der $3.50 for expenses. The allowance
was proposed for legal service, tele-
graphing, telephoning, etc. j. w.
Stokes, author of the resolution to
appropriate the money, spoke strong
ly in favor of its passage. A. j.
Rockne moved for indefinite postpon-
ment. He claimed the resolution UNI
constitutional. Stokes in reply ac-
cused Rockne of trying to ''be the
whole thing in the house," and also
asserted it was necessary to hire law
yers to draft measures because there
was not single lawyer in the house.
This sally brought out considerable
mirth but failed to carry the day.
The house committee on elections
today reported in favor of seating
James d. O'Brien of ST. Paul in the
house, in that he had clear majority
of votes over James Denegre. The
house did not ask for any details but
settled the contest which has been
pending for some time, by accepting
the committee report without debate.
The contestants were of the Goth leg
islative district, st. Paul.
Ambrose Tighe of st. Paul broke
the individual record in the house to-
day by introducing at one time ele-
ven bills. Two relate to bribery of
public officials, and take from a wit
ness the right to refuse to answer
questions about bribery which may be
self-incriminating. Another bill con-
tains like provision with reference
to Investigations of bribery among
legislators. Another bill calls for
annual reports of foreign corporations
operating in Minnesota to be filed
with the secretary of state and de-
mands fees therefore. In Ohio a
similar law yields the state $3.50, 900
income year.
w. L. Case introduced bill to give
counties one half the inheritance
taxes of estates within their respec-
tive limits, and one half to the state.
A bill by Senator A. L. Hanson
proposes an appropriation of $4,000
for relief of farmers who were
drowned out' in 1905 and 1906, to
aid them in purchasing seed grain.
Farmers desiring to borrow from this
fund may do so through applications
filed with the county auditor. He in
turn refers the matter to the county
commissioners; they to the state au-
ditor, and the state auditor to make
the loans March 10 next. The loans
are to bear per cent interest and all
be payable Nov. Is next, after the
new crop has been marketed.
The Sundberg committee of the
senate, appointed to investigate rail-
roads, examined two witnesses late
today. w. III. Chadbourn, chief
engineer of the Great Western, was
called to tell of the cost of the
original construction of the roads in
Minnesota. He stated he had searched
his office high and low but had been
unable to find a single record of
original cost of construction.
Charles w. Gardner, auditor of the
500 road, Minneapolis, was also ex-
amined. AS to cost of buying rights of
ways, he was sure the roads had to
pay considerably more for land than
if the property was simply purchased
for farming. He lamented the present
agitation against railroads in this
country, and said that as result
railroad bonds have to be foated in
other countries and the interest be
Of mi of
home.
st. Paul, Mimi, Feb. 8-After be-
ing told that to pass a resolution to-
day would be slap at Senator Knute
Nelson, the senate voted 33 in favor
of the measure and IS against it.
The resolution was the one intro
duced by Senator Garfield several
days ago, and called up today for
final action. 1t is a memorial to con-
gress asking that the bill limiting the
number of hours per day railroad
employees may work, be reported out
of committee to the floor of congress
for fair show: The bill aims to de-
crease the number of railway acct
dents by prohibiting overworking of
men. Senator Garfield had explained,
on introducing the resolution, that it
was introduced by him on request of
United States Senator LaFollette of
Wisconsin. Senator Putnam secured
the floor and strongly opposed the
resolution. 'LaFollette came into
this state last election for the special
purpose of opposing and attacking
Senator Nelson" he said. 81 for one
believe Senator Nelson stands for the
sentiment of the people of Minnesota.
The passage of this resolution would
be direct slap at Senator Knute
Nelson and I am opposed to it," On
roll call several senators explained
they were voting for the resolution
because they believed in it's subject
matter, and they meant no reflection
on Minnesota's senior United States
senator.
The most important measure, per-
haps, which has been introduced in
the legislature this session was intro
-, he 10 H.