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

The report OF the Attorney General Is ;
herewith submitted. The duties of that OF. /
ficer have been OF exceptional difficulty and
importance.
la my last message attention was directed
10 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
= 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
years be ascertained and that the Receiver
lie directed to pay the tax into the Treasury
OF the State. The application was success
ful 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 SOL 1892 for
unpaid taxes which have accrued since 1865.
This claim is based upon decision Of the
Supreme Court of this State, holding to be
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 for the first three years alter
the passage OF that act, two per cent for the
next seven years, and Il rec per cent, there
after. 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 ~ practicable. A suit has been
brought and is at issue in the District Ceart
for the county Of Ramsey. II will be tried
IA soon as reached upon the calendar OF
that Court.
Certain Transactions referred TO in my last
message by which one hundred thousand
acres Of land formerly owned by the South.
EN- Minnesota Railroad Company have be.
csme subject to taxation, although the obi
CATION has been denied and payment Of tht
tax evaded, have been made the subject o
suit nv the State for the collection OF tn
amount due. The District Court rendered
judgment in favor OF the State. The CAS-
was then transferred to the Supreme Cour
where it has been argued and now await
decision.
The Attorney General hiss also cmpliet
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 at vacating its charter on account &
certain alleged abuses and usurpations
This suit will BE- argued at the present. term @
TIE District Court for the county Of Ramse
STATE PRISON REAL RsrArs.
The title Of tle State to the grounds occu
psed by the State Prison has always bee
considered uncertain owing to the loss Of uu
recorded deeds The Attorney General hs
leen able to supply these defects and report
that the title OF the State has been made ne,
fet
Ex-Aupsros M'uRArH
At the last session OF the Legislature
committee was appointed for the purpose
investigating the affairs and management
the Office Of State Auditor. This commits
was authorized to sit during the asijournmel
and was directed t. make its final report
the Governor. This report was 6led viii