Willmar tribune., 1909-04-07
WEDNESDAY, APRIL z, 1909.
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W. 1Aw W. W W.
Observations by Clarence

J WI 1Aw W W W. }
! Observations by Clarence !
During the campaign last fall
Gov. johnson gave US the wonder
full exhibition of democrat prais-
ing a republican legislature-or
rather two Of them, that of '05 and
of 'O7. He said those two legisla-
lures had made the best record of
any law making bodies in the his
tory of the state. l am afraid that
in the next campaign the Gov. will
not be able to add the legislature
of 'O9 to the list. In fact, unless it
does something wonderfully good
during the few remaining days of
the session, it will be likely to be
graded mo. a Velvet Chaff and ten
pounds off for foul Seeds" (Deri-
vation of "Velvet Chaff' in this in
stance: ''velvet'', something
smooth; ''chaff," something entire
ly worthless.)
The main trouble with the pre-
sent legislature is too much John
son." The reflections that come
to Gov. johnson at regular stated
periods have cast a gloom over the
republican leaders and made them
see everything in a dark blue color.
Altho johnson took pains to make
it very clear that he gave full cred
it to the republican legislature for
passing good laws as recommended
by him. the aforesaid leaders came
to the conclusion that johnson was
thus constantly reelected on the
good record Of the legislature. and
that the only way to stop this heart
rending business was for the legis.
lature to make bad record. This
legislature has acted on this sug-
gestion, and has so fer succeeded
beyond the widest hopes of the orr
ginators of the brilliant scheme.
The first thing to do was to avoid
carrying out any Of the suggestions
Of the governor, and as his message
came pretty near covering every
point they could think of. the way
to good legislation was blocked in
all directions but one by the dread
specter of johnson.
The one point left open was the
county option proposition. Beyond
announcing during the campaign
that he would sign a bill for county
option if it were passed, the COVER.
nor had said nothing about this
matter. Here was a chance to dc
something that the people wanted
without covering johnson with
glory. But alas! When it comes
to passing temperance measures the
members of the legislature are "to'
tai abstainers. They could do no.
thing for temperance without vio'
lating their solemn convictions thai
it is a mighty good thing to get 8
part of the Brewers Defensive
Fund for campaign purposes.
Hence county option was executed
without benefit of clergy or 9
chance to speak few last words te
it's sorrowing friends standing
around the gallows.
There may be a bare possibility
that a tonnage tax law will be
passed. Such bill has passed the
house, and the senate has had 9
junket up to Duluth to investigate
finishing it's investigation at 9
banquet in Duluth, where they were
fed with alternate courses Of good
food and poor arguments against
letting the state at large get some
benefit from the vast mineral wealth
that once was the property of the
state but now has been gobbled uI
by the steel trust. In the fit OF
dyspepsia brought on by such 9
combination of feed. the senate
may get ill-tempered and kill the
bill-it being understood that the
senate, in consideration of the fact
that its members hold Office twice
as long as the house members, shall
take the responsibility for killing
any measure that the house mem.
bers hardly dare to kill.
1t has been stated that as the mem.
bers of the senate had voted for the
raise in the governors salary, il
made them all ineligible for the gov
ernorship, and that it was to cure
this that the bill was introduced
This is a baseless SANDER, for the
actions of the present senate show
plainly that its members have nc
idea of running for any Office what.
ever, until the people have forgot.
ten about the legislature Of 1905
and what it did and didn't do.
The same legislature raised the
salary of members of the legislature
to $1,000, one-half rayable each year