The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-01-18

Il
Ichiuery particularIy
lEwil h, hasesbeen provitie Tor .bys law.l1
The project presents no imp oesibles
problems and would be q practical.
and. very effective way Of relieving
the farmers Of some burd ensome
oppression at the hands Of the ma.
|chinery monopoly. H. IL.
Elias Rachie Of Madison has his
eyes riveted on another trust. It is,
well known that a monopoly exists
among the coaldealers of the state
and that this rustlimits the supply
and controls the price to suit their
own convenience. Mr.. Racine in
trodnced resolution.in the House
calling for a committee of three
representatives and two senators to
investigate the. coal trust. These
'nquisitors will end their labors by
reporting bill designed to give
the people fair treatment from the
coal barons. Mr.. Rachie could
hardly have selected subject of
investigation directly affecting the
interest of more people. Practically
every proprietor of a home in Min
nesota uses coal and all are now
compelled to submit to the selfish
exactions ofthe combine.
| The report of the rules committee
of the house contained a commend
able provision relating to lobbyists.
AT previous sessions there was
nothing to prevent lobbying on the
floor at any time, and "the interests"
made extensive use Of this license
When bill was being considered
those selfishly interested could
have special representatives by the
side of members, giving personal
direction to debate, even going so
far as to tell members when to make
motion and what to move. Under
! : e - 90 r. 'eS there will he no dis
:,' i re. The bust. |
! =. Fl 'u>r will not be re-
tarded or influenced by lobbyists.
Even ex-members will be denied
access for such purposes. If any
one now desires to exert an in
tluence for or against a measure
his only opportunity of doing so
will be to appear before. the COM
,nittee considering the bill.
The people will remember with
gratitude those responsible for this
change. Representative Rockne of
Zumbrota was chairman of the
rules committee and it was he who
suggested this way of lessening the
lobby influence. He was ably |
seconded by the other members of
the committee and later the House
itself manifested its full and hearty |
approval by unanimous adoption
of the rules com mittee report.
A great fight is coming between
the big breweries and the friends of
county option. An atmosphere of
intense sobriety is noticeable bout
every. discussion concerning this
subject. The liquor interestsirealizeI
the situation and will do their
utmost to avert the danger. A
county option bill will be in
troduced at early date and the
measure will not lack for en-:
thusiastic supporters.
Representative Libby of Winona,
one of the youngest members of
the House, will attempt even more
than county option. He will father |
bill making treating in saloons
illegal. This would hit the drink |
emporiums below the belt. If a |
man could only imbibe what he
paid for, it would necessitate a very
radical revision of the long
esta blished code of saloon etiquette,
which makes the business pay.
When Speaker ohnson introduced |
Governor Johnson to the joint ses-
sion of House and Senate warm
words of eulogy passed his lips.
There was no sign of partisanship
in the hearty heralding of the good
qualities of the democratic chief |
executive by the republican speak
er OF the house of Representatives.
In his message Governor Johnson
stated that the state had right to
expect more than party effort, and |
before assuming his official station |
Speaker Johnson very emphatically |
} expressed the same sentiment The
people will applaud. Political |
parties have their purpose and
mission, but party prejudice and
jealousy should not be permitted |