Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-11-24
RESPECTING THE
MANDATE

The reactiOnarieS of the Mime
sofa Senate under the leadership OF
the conservative and old guard Sen
ator Charles n. Orr of st. Paul, are
out to organize the Senate themselves
and to try and take away the appoint
ment of committee memberships from
Lieutenant Governor-Elect X. x. Sol
berg. the same as they did to Lieu
tenant Governor Henry Arens two
years ago. They will have a caucus
for that purpose Friday at the St.
Paul hotel.
The Senate members were elected
in 1880 and are holdOvers in the COM
ing session of the Legislature except
for three vacancies caused by the
death of old members. Two new
members have been elected and an
other member will be elected in the
place of Senator Lewis Duemke Of
Minneapolis who passed away few
days ago. A special election will be
held to fill the unexpired term.
With a few progressives added and
some of the independent members be-
ing more cautious with another Sen
ate election coming up two years
hence it is, very probable that the
reactionaries will not be able to take
the committee appointments away
from the lieutenant governor in this
session. Previous to the session of
1891 the lieutenant governor appel ted
committee chairmen and assigned the
committee memberships in this state
for 40 years. There was a resentment
on the part of citizens all over the
state when the old guard started a
precedent two years ago by going
rough shod over the lieutenant gov
ernor-taking the power of appoint
ments out of his hands-and there
will be an even greater resentment
this year if that should happen again,
though it is not likely to happen.
The voters in no uncertain terms on
Nov. Sth gave their approval to the
Governor Olson program and policies.
and chances are that the Senate will
abide by that mandate and leave it
to the governors running mate, Lieu
tenant Governor Solberg, who Is the
presiding officer of the Senate. to
make the committee appointments
and thus further the chances of en-
acting into law the program of the
progressives.
The same fight is also on in the
House but here it seems that the
progressives have more of a COM
handing lead. The conservatives and
reactionaries tried to organize the
House last Friday with Representa-
tive Andrew Finstuen of Kenyon, as
speaker, but they mustered only SIS
votes of the necessary 66 to control
The ressives-Farmer-L a o r
ties and Independent Democrats and
Notwithstanding have the
fight well in hand. They have called
a meeting of all the House members
for Saturday, Nov. Goth, at the Lowry
hotel in st. Paul, and according to a
careful check-up have 70 votes for
their speaker candidate, Chas. Mum
oof Osseo, who is a tiller of the soil
an able progressive member with the
experience of three terms in the low
~er House. and man who is out and
out for the Governor Olson program
In past sessions Representative W.
4. Norton Of Minneapolis, the reaction
airy leader for many years, has with
the aid of parceling out jobs to mem
bers, been able to keep the House or
ganized for the old guard and the
vested interests.
The progressives are out to give q
black eye to nepotism-the hiring Of
relatives of legislators to jobs in the
legislature which has a bad effect or
legislation. Control of the legislature
through this procedure has been ex.
pensive to the taxpayers and it is high
time to call halt. Not alone does Il
add to taxes but it also makes for the
passage of laws that are favorable t.
the mining industry, the lumber in
dustry, railroads, the power trust, the
street car systems, the packers, and
other vested interests.
The progressives are fighting hard
TO elect a speaker who is heart and
soul in the progressive movement, q
man who stands for legislation In be.
half OF all the people, man who
knows the people and is anxious tC
abide by the mandate given by the