The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-02-04
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA THURSDAY FEBRUARY s. 1875
the RAILROAD QUESTION IN The SENATE.

THE RAILROAD QUESTION IN THE SENATE.
In the Senate, Monday, Feb. LIST, Mr..
Coggsvell having moved to recall from
the House the Senate bill extending the
time for paying the railroad tax on gross
earnings. said he was not aware OF the
condition Of the treasury when that bill
was passed, but be then believed it ought
not to pass and voted against it solitary
and alone. He had since inquired Of the
State Treasurer. and learned that if this
bill becomes law the State must nego-
tiate loan. In the Treasurer's state
meut of Saturday the amount Of the rev.
enue fund on hand is stated at about $l5,.
600; yet we have appropriated from it
$40, 600 for relief of the grasshopper suf-
ferers and $40, 900 for legislative expenses,
large proportion of which las not been
drawn. There is due from the railroads
| to-day about $2l, 900. That would meet
the appropriation for the grasshopper
sufferers. He was expecting at the time
Of the bills passage that some one would
inquire into the propriety Of it.
But even the Senator from
Dakota, whom all knew to be the leader
and ehampio sat still in his seat. SEN
ators knew he (Coggswell) was a little in
clined to vote against railroad bills.
When he voted alone againet this bill
the Senator from Ramsey (Drake) turned
round and said, ''Coggswell, you are the
offsst of of oxen l ever saw to which
he answered, "If I am, am yet the bcxt
OK in the team" He asked now that the
bill should be given full consideration,
and that some one should make it known
what good reasons there are for its pass
age.
Mr.. Donnelly said he did sit still when
this bill was on its passage. 1t was known
how much disposed he was to resist the
aggressions Of railroads, to resist their
dominance in political affairs, aRd to re-
aist their extortionate charges and unjust
determinations; but when the companies
came here and said they were poor and
wanted four months extension on their
taxes, he assented. Shortly after he fol-
lowed it by = proposition to extend the
same generosity to all the poor people of
the State, but there was no reciprosity on
the other side Of tAe house; there was
there no mercy 5srxAs people. He there.
fore rose now 10 Sscpu4 the motion OF the
distinguished SeaAtor from Steele. and to
acknowledge u pre-eminent dtusss ofthat
gentleman for leader, and his transcend
ent ox-like qualities.
The Senator was proceeding to show
the yearly increase of tax burdens upon
the people, when Mr.. Cox asked if the
fpresent high taxes we're not to be traced
hack to the Democratic administration Of
1857, after the usual Republican style.
Mr.. Donnelly-'Y Yes, / suppose they
trace them there and to the efforts which
have removed from Office those distin-
guished Republican fnanciers Mupsh and
McIlrAth." He protested against any
more leniency for railroads while he was
told, as ky the Senator from Douglas the
other day. that proposition to relieve
the poor people is sarcial, though to re.
lieve the wealthy railroad corporations il
all proper and right. He would there.
fore follow his distinguished friend from
Steele.
Mr.. Drake said when any railroad
Iquestion came up, some gentleman would
lash themselves into fury. What is il
all about The companies ask only that
their taxes due to-day be divided into
four parts, or made payable in quarterly
linstallments on tho first Of March,
April, May and June. The bill ap'
plies emily to three or four roads
the principal and wealthy companiet
not having accepted the provision for
semi-annuAl payments, Will pay all their
taxes the 6rst Of March. The road he
represented could only pay to-day BY
borrowing on the individual responsible.
ty of the directors. One-haIf the business
the road has had for the saGeTing people
Of the southwest counties i has perform.
ed without pay: yet lie company j.
taunted with its wealah wrung from Z
down troddsn people. 1aiD relief vas
material to his re-, 1,the eendision Of which
aroee simply frsnits working for 1he
people for nothinesS He would re4ind
Igentlemep that even large groB ssvsnns1
do not neessmsly show large profits. II
the relief asked Was refused, his company
voula ret aloug - bsst il cssi&; yet such
lrefosal vould bs bat ; Posr return fos th<
}eeuerosi&y the company hsd shown tht
lpeor psople of this State.
/ II. Murray ssid il the railroad 80
| paniw we're compelled - pay their ta1sl
ttedsY, more than ave hundred familisl
fsf dis city weuld SAFER from not -ecsiv
ling tAe wages due them the 18th of nsx'
fnonth. he would vote against the reso
Hutton in the interest Of these poor men
without regard to the interest Of the rail
roads IN the matter.
Mr.. DonneIly said be snov understood
the State would have b 90 into marke'
. and nav interest. II true that 500 peopk
would suffer il the bill did not pass. il
Iwas also true that soc, 600 people wouls
suffer il it Vas passed. Have not tn'
ipeople had to borrow money to pay then
taxes! If the same generosity was ex
TENDED to the people that it IS claimed i
is not wrong 70 extend to railsoaas. b
would not object; but he would hare th,
lsane rule apply to all alike--farmefs q
ven . corporations
81 Mr.. Wiikin1en sas snrpsised to ltal
that unlsns IL railroads pey t1ef taxe'