St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-24
Leavitt, Of Meeker, Makes a
Hard Fight, Losing a
Point.
Two Amendments Tackled on,
and the End Is Not in
Sight.
Senator Crandall Gets a Clerk
Several Important
New Bills.

day afternoon he fought against the
amendment of his bill, and, while he
lost. the victory was far from salts
factory to the opponents OF the measure.
He claimed that the amendment would
simply give future legislatures the
power to lay the tax, and for this rea
son they should not be limited by re-
strictions imbedded in the constitution.
The bill was amended in two points, as
follows:
First-Authorizing the taxation of the
''net" income.
Second-EXempting $500 from taxa
ton.
Under the bill introduced by Senator
Leavitt future Legislatures would have
had the power to regulate both these
matters, and for this reason it seemed
to the senator from Meeker to be wholly
unnecessary to place them in the con-
stitution. The absence of a number of
the friends of the bill, and the fact that
Senators Donnelly, PrObstfield and 9TH
ers of its friends took the position that
it was necessary and best for the pro-
LCCbiOH VI CiiC lllCil Win ouiQllCo0
comes to make these changes, enabled
the opponents OF the measure to carry
the amendments.
Certain to Pass.
That the bill will pass there is now no
doubt. as large number of those who
voted for the amendments yesterday,
will hereafter vote against the amend
mentS that will be introduced for the
purpose of killing it.
The session opened with the passage
of resolution, offered by Senator Gran
dali. of Steele, giving the finance COM
mittee clerk, and in a few moments
the introduction of bills was reached.
Several novel and highly important
measures were read and referred, among
which was one by Senator Wood, pro-
viding for the submission of an amend
ment to the constitution that will
end the railroad land grant
nuisance and force the railroad COM
panies with land grants to dispose of
their lands or else give them to the
state. Senator Dean is the author of
another bill providing for the regula-
ton of primary elections, and Senator
Crandall advanced the proposition that
railway companies be forced to place
blackbOardS at all stations, upon which
shall be placed information regarding
the arrival of passenger trains.
From the Introduction of bills to gen.
eral orders took put a few moments,
and, on motion Of Senator HOmpe, the
body went into committee of the whole.
Senator Hompe was called to the chair
by Senator John Day Smith, who pre-
sided in the absence of the lieutenant
governor. The first bill to be consid-
cred was Senator Dedon'S measure pro-
viding for tax sale similar to that held
in 1881. Senator Lommen made some
objection and the bill was passed, and
the incOme-taX measure came next.
The debate at once commenced
Over the Amendment
making the met" income taxable and
not the income, as provided in the bill.
Senator Leavltt, in clear and convinc-
ing manner, took the ground that this
should be left for future legislatures to
consider. He held that the numerous
amendments that were being offered
were for the purpose Of killing the bill
by so loading it down that the people
would repudiate it. Passing on to a
discussion of the amendment, Senator
Leavitt created ripple OF excitement
by declaring that he was suspicious of
the source of the amendment.
''The gentleman from Ramsey repre-
sents class of people who do not pay
they shall pay their share toward the
support of the government"
81 wish the gentleman from Meeker
to understand that | do not represent
any such class of people, said Senator
Stevens calmly and coolly. II repre-
sent Woodworking mechanics, clerks
and artisans"
Senator Leavitt disclaimed any inten-
tion of rejecting upon Senator Stevens,
but insisted that he had the statistics to
prove that the citizens of the large cities
do not pay their proper share of taxes.
Senator Stevens, i'll reply to the re-
marks of Senator Leavitt, stated that
there are times of great popular excite
ment when great injustice is likely to
be done unless there is some solid rock
behind which he may take refuge.
"And this is exactly what we propose
to make by placing the word net in
the amendment" he said. 'If this is
not done a way will be found for the
working of great injustice at some
time"
Uncover Secreted Wealth.
Senator DonnelIy was the next speak
er and began by making a strong argu-
ment in favor of the bill.
81 find in the GLOBE this morning."
he said. "a paper with whose politics |
do not always agree.' he added face
tously, ian array of figures that are
terrible"
After reading the figures from the
GLOBE of yesterday in the editorial re-
gardlng the non-assessment Of personal
property in the large cities, Mr.. Don
nelly said:
These figures are a terrible COM
mentary on the manner in which the
burdens of taxation are placed upon the
backs of those least able to pay"
Senator Stevens called attention to
the law regarding the assessment of
property in the state of Vermont. where,
in case a man does not return his prop
erty, he is taxed for three times the
amount. Under this law he stated that
there is scarcely any evasion of taxes.
The assessors were largely to blame in
this state, he thought.
Senator Davis made several pertinent
inquiries to show the absurdity of the
amendment.
81 would state" said Senator Keller,
'lHdl every dSSSSSoI Ill lHlS Stdte SWedIS
to lie."
Possibly" said Senator Stevens.
"but elect them on that issue"
Senator Dean called the attention of
the senate to the fact that in the figures
quoted by the GLOBE editorial only a
part OF the assessed valuation of real
property in the outside counties had
been given. This was also the case
in the figures given for the large cities.
This explanation gave the Sage Of Min
niger chance to inject some humor
into the debate, and he did it.
II said that | took the figures from
the GLOBE, without vouching for them"
said Senator Donneliy. 1.-The GLOBE
in the last campaign opposed one of the
best men in the state for governor, and
| naturally lost some confidence i'll the
paper"
This sally provoked considerable
laughter. Senator Dean next took up
the matter of tax evaciou in the large
cities, and declared that the state board
of equalization at the meeting had in
creased but one item in Ramsey couaty.
while great many mad been Increased