The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-09-20

$150,0O0,OOO (oyer one third of the en-
tire taxable property Of the State) is ex-
empt from taxation. for the paltry three
per cent. on gross receipts, which does
not amount to one halfof what the mere
State tax ought to be, on their property,
leaving the entire county, township,
and school taxes to be borne by the rest
OF the community. On the contrary
Judge Emmett introduced before the
committee on resolutions of the late
Democratic Republican State convention,
a series of resolutions, which we pub
lished in former issue, but which were
not adopted by the committee, simply
because their general resolutions, declar
ing against partial taxation" and as
serting Legislative control over all
corporations. created or organized by
the State, were thought sufficiently to
cover the same grounds. These resolu-
tons of Judge Emmett bear evidence OF
having been carefully prepared, and
they no doubt express his deliberate
conclusions, although he cautions the
people, in his letter, against assuming
that he would be irrevocably bound by
any opinions which he may have ex-
pressed, while off the the bench,
should he become satisfied that they
were erroneous. Of course in such
case he would not feel bound by even a
previous formal judicial decision.
We reproduce these resolutions of
Judge Emmett, that the people may see
the wide differences between him, and
Judge Giltillan on questions which seem
to US of tar more Importance to the peo-
pie Of this State, than any others which
enter into the presenl campaign. They
are as follows:
That the people Of the State of Minnesota
first exercised their powers of sovereignty
when they framed and adopted the constitu-
ton, under which the state was admitted into
| the Union. That the Constitutional Conven-
ton had absolute control over all previous ter
"
vested rights dependent thereon. That all
such laws charters and rights, owe their pres
ent validity and cOnOtnuance solely to such
| recognition or re-enactment as were given by
the State constitution, and that the Coustitu a.
tional Convention recognized and continued
III force such only as were not inconsistent
with the constitution then framed.
That, as under the constitution of the State
and at common law, the sole question between
the railroads and the people of the State, is one
of equal and reasonable rates for transportation
OF persons or property; we deem the assump
ton that the railroad corporations may, at dis
cretion, force the people to pay such rates q.
they may demand without regard 10 the reas
onableness, or equality of SUCH charges, al
equally inadmissable with the opposite claim
that the Legislature may compel the roads t.
carry on such terms as it may prescribe, how
ever ruinouS to the capital invested. But ",
deem it the imperative duty Of the Legislature
TO protect the people against extortion and un
just discrimination in favor ofindividuals or 10
caiities, and TO that end, that laws should b
passed. n aking such extortion or discrimina
ton criminal offence That schedule 0
rates, founded upon the best attainable infor
nation should h. established. which il shouit
be, primo .tacia, extortion to exceed; andstha
penalties should be fixed to every violation ad
equaie 70 prevent any wanton disregard of tn
aw.
1Iiitt uit IUStFiue CIdllfitu 10 result from
recent decision Of our Supreme Court. that
territorial Legislature Whose existence and sol
power ls derived from.a mere act of Congress
. may irevocabiv bind the future sorereignt
of the State by every charter and grant 3
! special PRIVILEGES, which it NAV 80. prope
to gran, 70 its favoritrs, and may establish
rule Of taxation, in favor of individuals o
corporations. which shall forever be beyon
remedy hy future Legislatures, or constitution
al conventions. is deroCatorv to the very inter
ssts Of it. people and merits unqualified con
d-mnation.
That the right Of taxation is essential to III
exi-ience and continuance of every govern
! Inent- That the people of this State have ali
{ soluts control over the subject regardless
previous territorial legislation. except in % fl
l as they have imposed restraints upon them
5 selves by the State Constitution. And we ID
mand that all property protected by the Stat
and not exempted BY the Constitution,
placed upon the tax list that the constitution
rule Of Equality of taxation upon ali proper,
on a cash raluatIon'' may BE- fully carried I'M
: effect
i That all charters, rights, franchises and pgi,
ileges arising out Of or dependent upon tsrr
!. torlal legislation an now be exercised or er
4 joyed onIy in accordance with and in subord
nation to the Constitution Of the State