St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-12

&c n n, the st a t e m mt
". N'M%~cTS- made by one OF
the Democrats to
the effect that the house would refuse
to concur in amendments to certain sec
tons of the measure. The dignity of
the senate was made the subject of sew
eral very thrilling speeches. ali made
for the purpose of whipping the Repub-
llcans into line in favor of amending
the measure and thus throwing the
Odium of defeating the bill upon the
house.
But tins did not work. Senators Leav
lit. Keller, McIIale and March cleverly
uncovered the schemes of Smith and his
supporters aud plainly demonstrated
that the only object of the amendments
was to defeat the measure. The matter
finally came to a vote and by II yeas to
ID nays the motion to amend was car
ried. The Republicans by straight
party vote proceeded to knock out the
provision which allows the voter to
make one mark and cast a straight vote
for the candidates of his party, the
amendment providing that the voter
must place a cross after the name
of every candidate for whom he desires
to vote.
This report was accepted when the
committee arose, and then the Republi-
cans made an attempt to suspend the
rules and pass the bill. This was OPP
posed by the Democrats and so the
measure must come up on the calendar
some time this week.
If ballot reform is defeated this year
the responsibility will be upon the
heads of the Republican members of the
senate.
The Leayitt FAX Bill.
A memorial from the chamEprOf com
merce of Duluth. fayoring the passage
of the Duluth u Winnipeg land grant
bill, was presented to the senate at the
opening Of the session yesterday by
Senator Danghertv. Of Duluth. This
memorial reciteS at length the need of
such a line of railroad and makes a
strong plea for justice 10 the northern
portion of the state. The memorial was
referred to the committee of the whole.
and the regular order was taken up,
Senator Donnelly introducing a resolu-
ton having for its object the placing OF
measures on general orders day
earlier. Owing to the slim attendance
the resolution failed to receive the re-
CURED thirty-SiX votes, and so it was
lost, Senator DOnnelly changing his
vote for the purpose of reconsideration.
Committee reports were in order, and
the lieutenant governor declared that
on the Leavitt mining tax bill was be-
fore the senate. Senator Tawney offered
an amendment making the rate of taxa
ton three cents per ton III place OF one
cent, as in the present law. This
amendment had hardly been read when
Senator Leavitt was on his feet, vigor-
Ously opposing the amendment.
Il hope this amendment will be voted
down he said. with emphasis This is
IL.
who do not care to go on record as oppos-
ing the repeal of an unconstitutional law
Every man who favors equal taxation
should assist in voting down this amend
ment.
Senator Dean opposed both the
amendment and the bill on the ground
that the mining industry needed pro-
lection. The iron ores of the South
were coming into competition with
those of Minnesota. The state. he
thought, should leave these mining
companies alone for number OF years
at least. In concluding he tersely
stated his position in the following
words:
Il am opposed to any change in the
present law"
Senator Mayo, in a clear, incisive
manner. exploded the doctrine of the
protectionists, showing clearly that the
real question was whether or not the
constitution should be Obeyed. The
present law was conceded to be uncon-
stltutiOnal, and the infractiOn was made
not i'll favor of poor people, but in IA
vOr of giant corporations.
Senator McHale declared that the con-
stitution of the state plainly declared
the present law unconstitutional. All
property, the constitution declared.
should be assessed upon a cash Valua-
mining law. This provision of the con-
Stitution is mandatory upon the law
makers of the state. The argument
that the law had existed for ten years
amounted to nothing.
Why" said the Scott county senator. IA
wrong IS no less wrong because il is hoary-
headed
Let all men stand before the people alike.
Grant no one special immunities TO no one.
have not much respect for a corporation
that comes here and takes advantage of our
laws and seeks TO eVade its Just share towards
the support of the state government whose
protection 1t seeks"
Senator Lommen at this time created
broad smile by offering the following
amendment:
Amend by adding a new section
Sec. 3 That the farmers of the state shall
pay III lieu OF all other taxes half cent per
bushel for each bushel OF wheat raised and
shipped out OF The state
Senator Bell wanted the rate fixed at
IL cents per ton, offering an amend
ment to that effect.
Senator Tawney next took the floor.
and after roasting Senator Leavitt for
making unjust reflections upon other
members OF the senate, he then took I'M
the constitutional phase of the question
and declared that the question was one
for the courts and not for the legisla-
ture.
Ine Bell amendment was lost by a
vote of "a nays to ~ ayes, and the pres
ident at once declared the Tawney
amendment fixing the rate of taxation
cents per ton before the house. SEN
atOr John Day Smith moved the pre-
Vious question, but before it could be
put Senator Leavitt demanded a call of
OF the senate. A great many absentees
were discovered, and after half hours
fruitlesS search the call was suspended.
and after the adoption of the motion for
the previous question the matter came
directly to vote on the Tawney amend
ment, changing the rate of taxation on
ore mined from 1 cent to 3 cents per
ton. The amendment was adopted bv
the following vote:
AIen, Eaton, Peterson,J W.