The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-03-17
Senate Slaughters Congdon Measure
~ to 81, But Governor Still
Hedges on Special Session.
TONNAGE TAX BILL DEFEATED
Influence of John A. Johnson Seen in,
Death Of Measure Originally
Drawn By Henry Bjorge.
(By r. A. WILSON,
Bemidji Pioneer Legislative Bureau

Remidji Pioneer Legislative Bureau
St. Paul, March 17.-Ignoring
party pledges; deaf to the. pleas of
the Northern Minnesota Development
Association, and blind to the demands
of Governor Eberhart, the senate,
shortly before seven o'clock last
evening, killed the reapportionment
bill which recently passed the house.
The vote was 27 to SO.
The death of the bill came as a
dramatic climax to the fight of a
month which has been waged by the
woefully unrepresented sections of
the state.
w: R. Mackenzie, who, as secre-
tary of the Northern Minnesota De-
velopment association, has been
prominent in the work, today die
tated for the Pioneer readers:
''The probable defeat Of the Cong
don bill was known to it's friends
for some days. The means used to
change friends of the bill, were in
most cases contemplate. A senator,
we'll known in northern Minnesota,
engineered the deal, and many
friends who didn't really want to
lose their Office were easily con-
WINGED. One northern Minnesota
senator went back on his signed
pledge to support the Congdon bill
The club of Tonnage tax was held
over northern Minnesota members
but they refused to yield, and stood
by their guns.
"The fight on behalf of the friends
of the bill was clean cut, and we
have no regrets. My own personal
regret is that any man living in the
ninth district should have been guilty
of treachery to his section"
Mr. Mackenzie's shot at the sena-
tor we'll known ip northern Mime
sofa was of course aimed at S. D.
Works of Mankato, who at one time
declared in favor of reapportion-
ment, while the northern Minnesota
senator" mentioned by Mr.. Macken-
zie was Charles N Martin of Barnes
will, who, despite signed approval
of the Congdon bill, turned traitor
to the measure at the last minute,
and voted against it,
Governor Eberhart today refused
to make any public announcement as
a result of failure of the bill but
shows every indication of standing
by his promise of reassembling the
legislature in case proper reappor.
tionment fails. To the morning
papers Governor Eberhart said:
Il am naturally disappointed over
the refusal of the senate to recon:
slider the bill. The question of al
extra session cannot be considered
at this time as there is not a chance
for the senate to take action. I fel
certain the bill would be defeated il
it's present form, but that it woult
be amended.
"The legislature is absolutel.
pledged to reapportionment and
can see no valid excuse for failur,
to carry out such pledge"
While many members doubt tina
any practical result could be obtain
ed from the same senate, which ha
OuCC Lul uCu uOW IL 1CoppO1
none appear to doubt the move O
Governor Eberhart's declaration a.
last resort, an extra session will b.
called. AS a matter of fact, the las
glimmer of hope must now center il
just such action for while it is tru
that two reapportionment bills still
remain to be considered, and other
may be presented, it is not seriousl
thought that the senators who vote
against the Congdon bill, will vot
for any sort of reapportionmen
at the regular session,