The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-14
SIITS AGAINST RAILROADS.


The report OF the Attorney General Is
herewith submitted The duties of that Of
fhcer have been OF exceptional difficulty ana
Importance.
In my last message attention was directed
to the failure OF the Southern Minnesota
Railroad Company TO report all OF its gross
earnings tor the years 1867 and 1870 and the
consequent withholding from the State of
the tax thereon. This road has been for the
past two years under the administration OF
u Receiver appointed by the United States
Circuit Court BY my direction the Attor-
ney General interviewed on behalf OF the
State in that court asking that tie amount
OF the gross earnings SO unreported tor these
wears be ascertaned and that the Receiver
I've directed to pay the tax into the Treasury
OF the State. The application was success
tu and the tax has been paid.
stated in my last message that the State
had claim against the Winona 4 st. Peter
Railroad Company for about SCI 1882 for
unpaid taxes which have accrued since 1850.
This claim is based upon q decision of the
Supreme Court OF this State, holding to TIE
Unconstitutional the act OF March 4, 1865,
which, among other things. provides that,
instead OF paving three per centum upon
It's gross earnings, the company shall pay
only one per cent. tor the tirstthree years alter
the passage OF that act, two per cent for the
alter By resolution of the Senate adopted
February I'd, 1874, the Attorney General W As
directed to take such action as will ensure
the collection OF these unpaid taxes at As
early day as practicable. A suit has been
brought and is at issue in the District Gear,
for the county of Ramsey. 1t will be tried
AS soon as reached upon the calendar Of
that Court
Certain transactions referred to in nv last
message by which one hundred thousan<
acres Of land formerly owned by the South.
EN- Minnesota Railroad Company have be
curne subject to taxation. although the obli
cation has been denied and payment Of tn,
tax evaded. have been made the subject o
suit bv tke State for the collection Of tn
amount dae. The Distric. Court rendere,
Judgment in favor of the State. The cas-
was then transferred to the Supreme Cour
where il has been argued and now await
decision.
The Attorney General has also c,mplie,
with the JOINT resolution passed BY the lie
gislature OF 1874. directing him to bring sui
against the First Division OF the ST. Pau
and Pacific Railroad Company for the pur
pose ei vacating its charter on account {
certain alleged abuses and usurration.
This suit will be sryued at the present. term G
tie District Court for the county Of R2mse
STATE PRISON REAL ESTATE.
The title OF the State TO the grounds occu
psed bv the State Prison has always bee
considered uncertain owing to the loss of ur
recorded deeds. The Attorney General h.
seea sble to supply these defects and repor
that the title OF the State has been made re,
fec<
Sx-AuprroS N'uRArH
At the his. session OF the Legislature
committee was appointed for the purpose
investigating the affairs and management
the Office of State Auditor. This commit
was authorized 10 sit during the aijournmel
and was directed 10 make its final report
the Governor. This rcport was fled vii