The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1939-01-12
LEGISLATIVE
SIDELICHTS
By H. E. SlUennes

We've had our first 'week" of
legislative experience and it was
just like starting school in a new
environment. There are some 100
members in the house and a lot
of time is devoted to getting &C
quainted.
The house convened for three
days this week and most of the
time was devoted to roll calls and
getting the organization work out
of the way. Despite days of pre-
paration, a legislative body is a
cumbersome thing to organize and
real work will not get underway
until the latter part of this week.
4 Bills First Week
Four bills have been introduce
ed. One of them deals with cleo
tons and calls for moving the
primary election date up to Sept
ember. Another one is civil SER
vice law upon which there is
bound to be a great deal of con-
troversy because various organi-
cations will insist on their views.
Governor Stassen wants all pre-
sent employees to take the exam
nation along with other appli-
cants, while many will insist on
leaving present employees on the
job without taking the exam. We
think the governors viewpoint on
the matter is the fair way and it
will undoubtedly prevail.
Governor Stassen seems to have
splendid grasp of the business of
the state and has already made
many recommendations for con-
solidation of bureaus that have
been left to mushroom into a dis
torted mass Of inefficiency. He
realizes that the state cannot con-
tinue to pay out more money than
1t takes in without dire conse-
quences and is intent on getting
the state on "pay-as-you-go
5asis," as soon as possible. He also
wants this done without raising
the real etate levy or by means Of
a sales tax, and this despite a
huge Indebtedness staring him in
the face.
Shipstead Speaks
Standing room in the house was
at a premium when Governo
Stassen gave his inaugural address
to a joint meeting of the Senate
and House. Admission was by tic
ket only and each legislator was
given but one ticket because of
the limited quarters. The COVER
nor's address was praised from all
quarters. Among the distinguished
guests on the speakers rostrum
was Senator Henrik Shipstead.
The senator, despite rumors, ap-
pears hale and hearty, and still
retains the respect and confidence
of the masses.
An innovation this year in the
house is the electric voting mach
inc. Each desk is equipped with
a little "dingdad" with two but
tons, one voting yes and the other
voting for no. Two huge tally
boards are placed on either side
of the house and as soon as
member pushes one of the buttons
green light appears opposite his
or her name if the vote is yes and
red if negative. Another button
calls page, and they can deter
mine instantly where and by
whom they are wanted by an
other small series of lights that
are identical with the seating ar
rangement. This board is in the
rear of the room above the main
entrance. Voting is done now in
less than minute, whereas it
used to require about 10 minutes.
Each member has a key and to
vote must unlock the apparatus
on his or her desk. They were
used for the first time on Thurs
day morning and the members
had a great time toying with
them. The installation is said to
cost about $4,000, a large sum,
but it may be worth it.
Want To Hear from Home
Legislators like to hear from
the people back home who have
suggestions to offer on pending
legislation and we know we
speak for Senator Seifert ard Re-
preventative John M. Zwach
when we make this statement.
Legislators were given their
first salary check and also their
mileage check Thursday. Mileage
is figured for a round trip and is
allowed at 15c a mile. This is the
only mileage allowed as ! under
stand it, and while it is a lot per
mile, it will only partly compen-
safe the members for weekly trips
to their homes.