The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-12-09
BY G. B. WOLLAN.

10y ". D. WILLIAM.
st. Paul, Nov. &c. 1932.-A cat and dog
fght-that's about the shortest and
best description to be given Of the con-
test now raging for control of both
branches of the 1888 Minnesota legis-
lature. Ever since right after the Nov.
8 election, both so-called conservative
and liberal leaders have been claiming
enough votes to control and to organize
both senate and house-and they're
still so claiming, even after two house
caucuses and one of senators.
The terms conservative" and liberal"
as quite generally used in classifying
the legislators, are not exactly correct
but are perhaps used by the political
writer's (and by most of the members
as WELD for want of more expressive
or inclusive terms
The fact is, as I have noticed in
attending both caucuses of house mem
bers-elect, that there are many recog-
nized progreSSiveS among the so-called
conservatives and some not so pro-
graSSive are tied up with the liberals.
But the terms used in differentiatino
ohe opposing forces don't make much
u1terence-a rose by any other name
would smell as sweet, you know.
Inc caucus of house liberals last Sat
uroay resulted in SO votes being re-
corded In support of Rep. Charles
MUM, OSSeo, for speaker. That's three
more than the required 66 votes for
control. Liberal leaders at once hailed
the outcome as a victory and indicating
the election of Mum on Jan. 8, opening
day OF the 1888 legislative session.
Inc cheers that greeted the an
nouncement of the vote for Mum AT
the Hotel Lowry caucus had hardly
died away, however, before Rep. An
drew F1nstuen, Kenyon, conservative
candidate for speaker (although him.
SELF pretty much of a progressive for
several sessions), issued a brief state
ment In which he refused to concede
that Mum will be elected.
Within an hour or so of adjourn
ment OF the liberal caucus" said Rep
F1nstuen, Il had received assurances
from several MEMBERS recorded as vot-
ing for Mum that they intend to SUD-
port me when the time comes for the
house to elect its speaker"
A similar claim was made the next
day by Roy E. Dunn, representative
elect from Pelican Rapids, who is chair
man OF the Finstuen steering COM
mlttee. The ballot taken at Satur-
days liberal caucus was invalid and
binding on no one," declared Mr.. Dunn
because at least one vote Chat of Rep
Alex LoWe) was cast for Mum without
authority, he not being present and not
having given anybody his proxy, while
other votes were obtained by false
representations. Two or three mem
bers-elect whose votes We're thus OBJ
tanned have already told us of the de-
ception practiced on them and will re-
fuse to be bound to Mum under the
circumstances"
Well, If Finstuen and Dunn are right
then it would appear that Rep. Mum
Is vote or two shy of the necessary
majority of the 131 members elect.
1t wouldn't surprise me if the stu
alton should remain in this chaotic
state until the election of speaker ac-
tually takes place on the floor of the
house on Jan. 3.
The liberals have a powerful ally,
however, in the person of Gov. Olson,
who helped them to some extent, it
was reliably reported, during the hours
just before converting of their caucus
Should the governor determine to take
a really serious hand in the game, he
may be able to swing enough votes OF
"wobbly" members to the Mum side to
insure organization of the house by
the liberals.
The situation on the senate side is