Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-21

the state, and true wisdom advised that the
present legislation to test the
legality of the question should
be allowed to take its course.
Mr.. Brown moved the bill be recon-
mended to pass. and in support of his
motion said he wanted it understood that
he felt no hostility to railroads, but exact |
ly the opposite. But the constitution pro-
vided that taxation should be equal, and
his bill was intended simply to bring the
question of the taxation of their lands, |
amounting to millions of acres, into the
courts, and to secure decision which !
would put the matter at rest The ques-
ton is, the railroads having sold out their
lands, by what authority are such lands
kept from taxation. Let tie suits be COM
menced, Mr.. Brown said, and he believed
it would be shown the lands in question
we're held by private individuals, and
should be placed upon the tax lists.
Mr.. Cole, in replying, said there was no
dispute that some railroad companies had
sold their roads and retained their lands.
There was no dispute about this. and the
legal question to be decided was that, hay
ing passed into ownership other than the
operating roads, can be taxed, and the
question in It's broadcast sense has been
stipulated between the present owners and
| the attorney general and when brought to
trial will definitely settle the very question
sought by the pending bill at much less
cost.
| Mr.. Jas. Smith, Jr., said he was a mem
Der of the committee two years
ago which offered the reso-
luton under which the attorney general
had acted in bringing test case.
| There was no dispute as to the fact, and the
whole question was in a fair way of a
speedy and final determination, and the
bill in question would not be bad faith,
but lead to expensive and unnecessary
litigation.
Mr.. Rahilly thought it was material
whether the gentlemen who opposed the
bill were in the employ of railroads Or not
AS it appeared to him the non-taxation Of
these lands was an imposition and fraud
upon the state, and he hoped the bill would
be favorabiy recommended.
Mr.. j. E. Child would like to know if the
decision should be in favor of the state if
the lands in question could be put upon
tax duplicates without legislation. If they
could not, then it certainly appeared as if
the present bill should pass
The bill introduced by Mr.. Ole Peterson
to regulate the handling and inspection of
grain, was amended in several particulars
by its friends, after which Mr.. Dyar moved
to indefinitely postpone, Mr.. Peterson
moving an amendment that it be recon-
mended for passage. Mr.. Rahilly hoped
neither motion would prevail, but that the
bill would be referred back for amend
ment Legislation was wanted upon the
subject, but the bill presented was crude
and imperfect and would not meet the
pnblic demands. Speaker Fletcher also
hoped an opportunity would be given to
perfect the bill, the farmer, the grain deal
er, and the miller each being desirious of
state control of the warehousing and in
spection of grain. Upon his motion the
committee agreed to report progress that
the bill as amended might be printed, and
members given an opportunity to care
fully examine its provisions.
Mr.. Cole answered Mr.. Child, that the
present statutes covered the matter.
This ended the discussion, and upon a
vote the bill was recommended to pass.
The bill of Mr.. Brown, to make railroad
companies liable for the injury of a ser
want by another servant, was opposed by
James Smith, Jr., Mr.. Hartley and Mr.
Cole, the latter Offering an amendment.
making the act apply to all businesses. Mr.
Child hoped the amendment would not be
adopted, and that the bill would be indefi-
nitely postponed. The amendment was
rejected and the bill indefinitely postponed
by large majority.
After considering thirty seven bills, one
of which was indefinitely postponed, and
progress reported as to four and the bal
ance favoIably considered, the committee
rose and the report of the committee was
adopted.
Mr.. Collins offered resolution author
izing the chief clerk to employ such as
sistance as may be necessary for the en-
grossment of bills, at a rate not exceeding
fifteen cents per folio, which was adopted
The house then upon motion of Mr.
Buck adjourned to o'clock this morning.