The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-01-26
House Passes Bill Providing For Not
Less Than 1875 Representatives
and 60 Senators.
SENATE VOTED AGAINST IT
Resolution Calling for an 1nvestiga-
ton of the District Swept By
Fire Last Fall Passes House.
(By z. A. Wi1son)


Bemidji Pioneer Legislative Bureau
St. Paul, January 26, 1911.-Re-
apportionment held the stage in both
the House and the Senate yesterday.
The joint resolution fixing the num-
Der of senators at not more than GO
and the number of representative
at not less than 1876, was voted on in
each branch.
In the Senate it was lost by a vote
of % to 80. In the House it car
ried overwhelmingly. The resolu-
ton came up in the House, last week,
on motion of C. A. Congdon of Du-
luth but was placed on general or
ders, although an effort was made to
pass it under suspension of the rules.
When it was reached today under
general orders, Mr.. Congdon spoke
warmly in favor of it's passage and
he was supported by two leaders of
the house floor, L. c. Spooner of
Morris and R. C. Dunn of Princeton.
J. N. Johnson of Candy offered
an amendment to the resolution,
striking out the reference to the state
constitution which provided that the
reapportionment should be made on,
the basis of population. 1t was up
on this motion that the bulk OF the
oratorial fireworks was discharged.
The motion lost by approximately a
three to one vote.
In the Senate the fight was bitterer
and the attitude of the solons is
taken by some to indicate opposi-
ton to reapportionment in any form.
This position is hardly tenable as
the vote was not upon whether or
not reapportionment is to be made
but dealt primarily with the size of
the two houses If the vote today
can be looked upon as a test of re-
apportionment strength, the meas
ure is as good as killed now but it is
more reasonable to assume that the
vote in the Senate was not an indi-
cation of the strength of the oppo-
sition any more than the vote in the
House shows the number that will
support a reaportionment bill.
XXX
The House Immediately after re-
assembling yesterday afternoon,
passed the University emergency ap-
preparation bill, carrying s646,OOO
for that institution. This measure
has been before the House several
times and on each occasion developed
strenuous opposition.
1t was twice reported for
progress and an effort was made
to put it back on general orders after
being reported out to pass. w. F.
Kunze of Minneapolis made two
speeches yesterday in favor of the
measure and he was backed by most
of the leaders Of the House. 1t fin
ally passed by vote of 70 to "A.
1t is evident from the attitude of
the members toward this bill that the
general university appropriation
measure, which will call for about
100000, will meet with violent
opposition and will be seriously
pruned before the House gets through
with it.
x
Among the friends of the Univer-
sity measure was John G.. Lennon of
Minneapolis. After the vote was
taken there was some doubt in the
mind of Mr.. Lennon as to Wheeler
the bill had carried. He suggested
to the speaker that if necessary it
would be good thing to call in the
absentees. The request was greet
ed with laughter and Mr.. Lennon
was Informed that the chair had no
authority to furnish the required in
formation.
xxx
One of the most spectacler fights
of the session developed over E. j.