Morris tribune., 1912-06-14
RedppOrtiOnment the Stumbling
Block In Legislature.
LITTLE DOING The FIRST WEEK
House Ratifies Federal Constitu-
tionaI Amendments and This
Ends Work Accomplished.
Especial Correspondence

and advantage, two federal constitu-
tional amendments passed by the
house, nothing to the credit of the
senate but few bills introduced and |
they relating to the subjects which
that body has declared shall be the
only fruits of the gathering, is the
record of the Minnesota legislature so
far. Ostensibly for the purpose of
facilitating business and reducing the
cost to the taxpayers, the senators at
the opening of the session last week
were signed up-that is a majority of
them-to confine their deliberations to
two subjects, statewide primary and
a corrupt practices act. The house,
unwilling to be dictated to-. and with
an eye on the fall campaign-some-
thing the senators have nothing to
fear-named six subjects for consid
Grafton. They included an increase
in the gross earnings tax and reappor-
tionment for both the legislative and
congressional districts. Reapportion-
ment doomed up as the rock on which
the ship of state had split. The SEN
ate would have none of it and while
the house on vote knocked out a
scheme to have it eliminated from the
regular program the margin was so
close as to indicate that it might re-
pudiate the proposition at the finish.
That and the passage of the constitu-
tional amendments, as recommended
by the governor, and much talk on
the part of the senate represented the
weeks work. / might say, though,
that the house committee on taxes
later reported out a bill for an in
companies and it is employing the
time of the two bodies this week.
]. j i
All this and more, which is now
pretty much ancient history, has fig
ured in the Twin City papers as true
chronicle of the weeks doings in the
Minnesota legislature; but for some
reason no explanation has been Of
fered for the limited senate program.
Economy, as l stated, was suggested,
but if the little things limited at are
true the cost of the session as far as
least of the troubles of those who
succeeded in putting On the lid. 10
be plain about it the talk is that the
''l1d" was for the purpose of heading
off any addition to the present rail
road gross earnings tax law. That the
lid, however, will be lifted since the
fact became known seems certain.
Carl Wallace, senate member from
Minneapolis, accepted progressive and
| the successor in the senate of E. E.
Smith, now state Republican chair
man, according to the story was the
one who executed the cid" COUP Be-
fore the Twin City members was dan
gled the distance tariff bugaboo and
| for the benefit of the southern mem
bers reapportionment was exhibited
with all it's horrors. The two were
| effective and as result came the linn
tied program with every precaution
taken to make it effective and bind
| ing.
For lack of something else to do
| the house and senate busted itself with
| the supplies furnished it in the way
of stationery by Secretary of State
| Schmahl and the economy talks which
resulted are expected to furnish much
excellent campaign material for
number who are DESTROYS of returning
to st. Paul next winter 1t was a linn
tied lot of stuff, with some files as the
| principal item Of expense, but the
whole thing was sufficient to enable
number to throw an economy fit. A
resolution ordering the return of all
the supplies was passed, then rescind-
ed and at last accounts the members
were in possession of most of the sta
| tiOnery. At one time Mr.. Schmahl,
| fearful for his own pocket, because OF
an indiscriminate raid being made on
the supplies, called the lot in but Ia
ter relented and sent back needed pa
| per, pens and ink
!. i. !.
| 1t is the small things that show up
some people and it's takes something
| AAhS IAO ALL4S ONOI Lu0 SLdI1OA-
cry supplies to bring out the narrow
minds. One member from the south
ern section of the state during the dis
cussion over the supplies suggested
that each member go down in his
pocket for Is cents and buy what pens
and paper he needed. Unfortunately
it was during a committee meeting
and he was unable to get a motion
along these lines in the journal, which
would have made excellent campaign
material for his next race, but he did
not overlook the members of the press
present in declaring for their benefit
that while the position taken might
look small yet he was fighting for
principle. There is room for reform
In the purchase Of legislative supplies
and next season win see It in a marked
way, but at the same time common
sense should prevail and such seems