The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-11-25
BY G. B. WOLLAN.

st. Paul, Nov %, 1927 became ap-
parent few days ago that the Farmer
Labor party's political victory in Mime
sofa was even bigger than at first in
Dictated by the returns, for the proba-
bility now looms over the political
horizon that the Farmer-Laborites with
the assistance of liberals of the other
two parties, may control the 1888 state
house of representatives and elect the
speaker.
While this eventuality is not wholly
assured the straws are pointing strong
ly in that direction.
The question likely will be decided on
Saturday of this week, when the So
called liberal members-elect of the
house hold their caucus in st Paul.
If they can then muster &c or more
votes for their candidate for speaker,
Rep. Charles Mum, Osseo, Hennepin
county, the question of liberal or con-
sentative control of the house will be
settled. The liberals are claiming no
less than 70 of votes, which is seven
more than actually necessary.
But the conservatives claimed IA votes
just before their caucus of last Friday
and turned up with only SIS "in the bag"
although there were 60 present, in per-
son or by proxy. Five of those present
failed to go on record in favor of Rep
Andrew Finstuen, Kenyon, for speaker
Leaders of the Finstuen movement,
however, claimed the votes of several
members who failed to show up or to
send proxies. They still maintain that
they have enough pledged votes to put
Finstuen over. Impartial observers are
inclined to accept this claim with the
proverbial grain of salt, while Rep
John j. McDonough, st. Paul Demo-
GRAFT and chairman Of the liberal steer
ing committee, openly ridicules such
claim.
Should the new house "go liberal"
it is quite likely that the same element
will organize the senate, thus giving
Gov. Olson the unquestioned coopera-
ton of both branches of the legislature
in forwarding the program and policies
of his second term.
The conservatives controlled the SEN
ate at the 1881 session, with the aid of
several senators with strong progress
sive leanings, and went SO far as to
deprive the presiding officer, Lieut.. Gov
Henry Arens, of the traditional prerog-
ative Of naming the standing COM
mittees The latter job was intrusted
to committee on committees.
With three exceptions the 1888 senate
will have the same personel as that of
1881. Three senators have died since
the last session, Sen. G. L. Todd, Sen
Chris Rosenmeier and Sen. Lewis
Duemke, the last named passing away
last Saturday.
Sen. Todd is succeeded by Sen A. o.
Starks, Dexter, reputed to be liberal,
and Sen. Rosenmeier's place will be
taken by Sen. F. E. Elmer, Brainerd,
who is claimed by the conservatives.
Sen. Duemke's successor is expected to
be chosen at a special election in the
18th district, which lies largely in
Northeast Minneapolis. In view of the
big Farmer-Labor vote in that district
on Nov. 8, it would not be surprising if
liberal were chosen senator.
Todd and Duemke both were in the
conservative camp at the last session,
hence if they are replaced by liberals,
the likelihood Of this faction organizing
the 1888 senate Is considerably en-
HANGED. The conservatives mustered a
bare majority in 1881
Well, there's this much to be said
about tiff Gov. Olson's friends and
supporters control in both senate and
house at the coming session, there
won't be any divided responsibility
when it comes to an accounting with
the voters In 1884 The Farmer-Labor
state administration will have to stand
or fall on its own record.
1t was almost 10 days after election
before the news-gathering agencies were
able to determine, unof6cially, whether
Rep. Harold Knutson, ST. Cloud, or
Rep. A. II. Andersen, Red Wing, had
been reelected TO congress.
The state canvaSSing board is meet
ing today to canvass the official re-
turns from the 81 county auditors.
The result will be definitely known
when this canvass is completed.
According to calculations completed
last Thursday by the United Press of