Year: 1879

TIE SENATE.


The most interesting day Of the session
was witnessed in the Senate yesterday, the
grave and dignifed Senators first getting
their blood heated to the boiling point over
the selection of clerk for the judiciary
committee, and it must have been an intel
lectual banquet to those who make that sort
of thing the study of their lives. It arose
from the fact that lawyers are most numer-
GUS GA the Democratic side of the chamber,
and when the President of tbs Senate ap-
pointed the committees he gave the judiciary
committee a majority from that party.
Some of the Republican members
smelled an Office at no distant
day in the form of a
clerkship to tighten the arduous duties of
that committee, and on Friday last resolu-
ton was offered authorizing the chairman,
who is Republican, to appoint such clerk.
The resolution went over on notice of de-
bate and was brought up for an airing yes
terday. The Democrats claimed that it was
the right, the courteous, and the proper
thing for the Senate to allow the committee
to select the clerk, whilst the Republicans,
fearing that another Democratic officer
would be added to the payroll,
insisted that the Senate should
authorize the chairman to appoint that Of
fcer, contrary to the usual custom in such
cases. The contest was very spirited, and at
times ridiculous, and some very fine oratori-
cal fourishes were made. The Republicans
were most numerous, and perhaps mcst
anxious to secure tue Office for soma favored
one of the squad of hungry looking fellows
who continue to frequent the corridors of the
Capitol waiting for a crumb of comfort to
be tossed to them, and the chairman was
made their almoner to the extent Of SIS per
day for the rest of the session.


An Office having been disposed of sena-
atorial dignity was again resumed, and the
regular routine of business progressed until
Senator Doran thought he discovered "a
man and brother concealed in the insane
asylum wood pile, and proceeded to drag him
out by calling the attention of the President
of the Senate to the fact that in the report
of the public examiner, which had been or
dered printed, exhibit ''D'' was conspicuous.
ly absent. AS exhibit ''D'' is the document
wherein the discrepancy in the insane asy-
lum account is set forth, the Senator
looked as though he thought it's





informed that it was probably an oversight
on the part of the printer, and resumed his
seat when he was informed that the whole
edition would be returned to the printer to
supply the omissions.


The bill proposing to reduce the rate of
interest from IL to 10 per cent. and impos-
ing severe penalties for usury, was taken up
in a committee of the whole and discussed
at considerable length, and it's further con-
sideration was deferred until to-day.


Routine Report.


Senate convened at 10 o'clock. Roll called
and quorum present. Journal read and ap-
proved.


PETITIONS.


Senator Helling presented petition from
citizens of Lincoln county praying that the
county seat OF that county be removed from
Marshfeld to Morse.


Senator Mealey presented a petition from
citizens Of Wright county relating to the brass
tester.


RESOLUTIONS.


Senator Mills offered a resolution recurring
the committee schools to consider the expe-
diency Of changing the school laws Of this
State.


BY Senator Powers, providing that in case
further assistance is needed by the engrossing
or enrolling clerks Rev. d. p. Hall be en-
ployed as such assistant.


Senator G. D. Gilhllan wanted to INQUIRE
into the duties of engrossing and enrolling
clerks. He had noticed that the first bill of
the session was enrolled by an outsider, and bad
noticed that copying for the State was done at
the rate Of Is per folio. The resolution went
over.


STEALING CRUMB FROM THE DEMOCRATS.


Senator Perkins called up his resolution pro-
viding for the appointment of a competent
person by the chairman as clerk for the iud1ci-
airy committee.


that the judiciary committee, when they deem it
necessary, be authorized to select a competent
clerk. The Senator said he was surprised upon
hearing the resolution offered by member of
the judiciary committee, inasmnch as this an
pointment had not been talked over in the
committee and had not been contem plated, and
is also discourtesy to the judiciary commit
mittee. 1t is considered to be no more than
courteous to allow committees to select their
own clerks. Strict right allows committee to
select its own chairman, but parliamentary
courtesy allows the first named to act, and the
Judiciary committe had done the courteous
thing IN this respect, though the majority OF
the committeeman are Democrats, and TO this
circumstance may be attributed the unwilling
ness of the Senate to allow them to appoint
their clerk. This resolution is not necessary
and Is a discourtesy. In all the broad pastures
of Minnesota the Republican herd nibbles the
fodder; the long line of cribs is occupied by
Republicans drawing nourishment aud susten-
ance therefrom, and only this little field re-
mains to the Democrats. (Laughter,)


Senator Wheat did not know that matter con-
cerned him, but he thought the polite thing
would be to allow the chairman to appoint the
clerk.


Senator Perkins disclaimed Intentional dis
courtesy to the judiciary committees; the COM
mlttee had talked the matter over informally
He did not think the record would bear Mr..
Wilson out in the statement that it was dis
act. The chairman of the commit
tee is in a measure responsible for the work
done therein and should dictate the appoint
ment of clerk. From this time till the close of
the session the committee will be flooded with
work, and he asked the adoption of his resolu-
tion now.


Senator G.. D. Gilfllan thought it was the
custom to allow the chairmen Of committees
to appoint their clerks, at least the privilege
had been accorded to chairmen for three years
past. Bills referred to committees are deliv-
cred to the chairman, and he should have a re-
sponslble clerk.


Senator E. M. Wilson thought the gentleman
magnihed the Importance. of the chairman of a
com mlttee. One would think from the re-
marks made that the chairman was all there
was to committee. He claimed that there
was No lack of accord among the members of
ommittees, and that it was presumed that
clerk would be appointed who was reliable and
trustworthy.


Senator Page desired that when clerk was
appointed a specific time should be fixed when
his compensation should commence.


The President-Compensati of clerks COM
mences from the date of appointment


Senator Castle was not aware that this mat
ter had been discussed by the members of the
judiciary committee, though it may have been
by the gentleman who introduced the resolu-
tion and his friends; neither was he aware that
the committee wanted a clerk. The members
of the committee had done the clerical work so
far, and he thought the appointment Of clerk