Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-03-05

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tBy 4 .cornleld Philostpner.)
xkviI-LEGisLATiyE LETTER. .
The great event Of the week IN leg:
islatiye circles 10 the passage through:
islative cicrles Is the passage through:
the House by q vote OF E78 to 81 OF the:
'Warner-Hompe bill. to repeal the state
wide direct primary law and to return
to the old boss ridden convention sys-
tenn. This action was brought about
by combination Of the reactionary
democrats with the stand-pat republi-
cans accompanied by q merciless
cracking OF the party whip over the
heads Of recalcitrant members. It was
frankly admitted IN the debate that
the main purpose is to put the Nom
partisan League out Of business as a
political factor in Minnesota. But as
Burns truly says, 'The best laid plans
VI sAAAN0 0AU AA0A 62A6 VII d640y. MI.
Warner. is a republican and Hompe,
formerly q populist, now trains with
the democrats and it was this bi-party
fusion that won. In his speech In fav-
or Of the bill Mr.. Warner read q letter
from Fred e. Wheaton, late democ-
ratio candidate for governor, warmly
endorsing the measure and followed
1t up with q communication from Sen.
Knute Nelson who favored the plan,
but complained that the bill did not
go far enough" presumably because
it did not include members Of the
Legislature and the lower house Of
congress who are to be nominated
under the present regulations. The
opponents Of the measure led by Sic
gel, (labor) Berve (League) and Iver-
son (League) made a hard fight
against the bill. Rako of Beltrami
sent up to the clerks desk and had
an editorial read from the Duluth
Herald strongly condemning the meas
ure as step on the backward trail"
turning around and voting for the
bill himself. The bill was carried
through mainly by the influence of
Col. Wilkinson of Washington, the
head of that great farmers organiza-
tion, the American Society of Equity,
who made terrific assault on the
Nonpartisan League In general and a
bitter personal attack upon Hon. Chas.
A. Lindberg, late League candidate
for governor. The friends of the pres
ent primary system had made care
full canvas and believed they had at
least ~ pledged votes against the bill,
but of the members understood to
be committed against the bill desert
ed under fire and went over to the
enemy. These IA whom it may be
well to remember are A. Christianson,
Curtis, who first voted mo" and then
changed to "aye," Emmons, Frisch,
Gislason of Lyon, Green of Blue Earth,
Harrison, Hubert Lang, Lee, Long,
Nelson of Pope, Rako and Teigen of
Jackson. The confessed object of the
measure is to compel the League
members to divide up among the exist
ing parties, so their political influ-
ence may be the more easily divert
ed and overcome, but whether or not
it will achieve its purpose the future
must determine. It's first result will
be almost certain to boost the League
membership for the voters generally
would prefer to name their own ~candi-
dates rather than to entrust the job
to professional politicians.
The Tonnage Tax.
Although there is an active persist
ent and INSCRIPTIONS lobby here
working overtime to defeat tonnage
tax on iron ore, yet the feeling is so
strong in favor Of such measure that
their efforts are likely to be in vain.
The principle of the Welch bill for a
tax merely on the net value has been
accepted, though an effort is being
made to deprive the gentleman from
Mcleod" of the credit. The WEIGH
bill calls for 10 percent tax which
means 100000 revenue from this
source. The Bendixen or compromise
bill provides for only percent. It
is expected that the bill will pass the
House next week as its friends feel
that longer delay will be dangerous
as this measure Is sure to meet with
most determined opposition. in the
Senate, though it is pretty certain
to pass that body. It will be a special
order in the House on March 9Th.
The Civil Rights Bill.
The constitution of this state guar
antees among others the right of free
speech, free press, and free public
assemblage, but there Is no special
provision Of law on the statute books
to enforce these rights or provide
penalty of their violation. Rep: Siegel
(labor) has introduced bill to punish
any person for violating this provision
Of the Constitution, but strange to say
Chairman Parker and other super-loy-
alists on the Judiciary Committee are
strenuously opposing this measure and
holding it up. However, Mr.. Siegel
is a very able and very determined
member and will in due time force
some action from this committee.
The Motor Corps Bill.
The House badly dehorned the Mot
or Corps Bill and extracted most of
its teeth, but the Senate Committee
on Military has proceeded to: amend
the bill by putting back the amend
ments rejected by the House so that
the fight over the measure apparently
must berenewed, not only in the Sen
ate but also, In the House. Friends of
the Governor insist. on putting the bill
through in its original form which
practically means State Constabu-
larry and takes the preservation of the
peace In community away from the
sheriff when the governor so Wills.
W., Tax Strikers. -.