St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-25
GO SLOWLY.

The GLOBE is glad to see the taxation
problem receive consideration at the
hands of the present legislature.
The taxation problem is the para
mount issue of the hour in state as we'll
as in nation.
Tue debates over the income tax bill,
and over the proposition to tax railroad
lands, even if they accomplish nothing
more. will serve at any rate to concen-
trate public attention on the Importance
of the general subject.
When it comes to the enactment of
definite practical measures, however,
the GLOBES advice TO the Legislature is
to go slowly. r..
The taxation problem is not only the
paramount question before the country
today, but it is also the most complex
and difficult question.
In the world of modern craftsmanship
the greatest regulations have been won
III the field of finance. A hundred
years ago the secretaryship of state was
the most responsible of American cabi-
net positions. Now the secretary of the
treasury discharges functions compared
with which the duties of his colleagues
are only the routine work Of clerk.
GLADSTONE holds the first place in the
ranks Of living statesmen, not because
of his advocacy of Ireland'S emaGcipa
ton, nor because OF his skill as diplO-
mat, bat because no brain is as clear
and all-graSping as his when the annual
budget is before parliament and the
commons are called upon to decide how
the needs of the government shall be
best met with the least disturbance of
private business interests and the I'M
position Of the lightest burdens on the
shoulders of the people.
The GLOBE ventures the opinion that
it is simpler task to shape the revenue
laws of the British empire than to de-
wise an adequate, wise and permanently
complete system of taxation for West
ern state like Minnesota.
If justice and eXpediency were syn
OnymouS terms in the science of legiS-
lation, it would not lie so, but they are
not. The lawmaker who is actuated
only by all ALL bition to see the right pre-
vail has mistaken his profession as
grotesquely as the cowboy turned
preacher. Since the days of EDMUND
BURKE, the true test by which to gauge
the worth of any public law is to ask,
not whether it is right, but whether it
is eXpedient.
In England capital can be taxed with
a freedom of method which it would be
suicidal to follow in Minnesota. So,
also, it can be in some American states,
like New York or Pennsylvania. In
England, New York and Pennsylvania
accumulated wealth is enormous. Dis
eliminating and oppressive laws cannot
drive it away. 1t has come to stay. 1t
is fixed. 1t has passed the stage of TIM
idity. 1t has to endure and to submit.
But with us it is all different. We
live in new comm unity of great nat
ural resources; but our future depends,
not on their existence, but On their de-
Velopment. A score of other communi-
ties, like ourselves in many respects,
are our competitors. If we diminish
the returns Of investors by legiSlating
against them, will they not go else
where?
Everybody who is diSinterested admits
that quaSi-public corporations like rail-
road companies, telegraph companies,
gas and water companies. which owe
their profits to the states bounty,
should contribute largely to the states
support. All students of taxation agree
that graduated income taxes, graduated
taxes on lnheritances and similar
schemes, designed to discourage the
concentration of riches in few hands,
are theoretically correct.
But the question is not "ArP they the
oretically correct?" but Are they
practically wise in Minnesota at this
time?"
The GLOBE does not say they are not.
1t is not pleading for the exemption of
any description Of capital from any spe-
cieS of taxation. But its point is this:
the taxation problem is one for special
lists, and for very special specialists.
The GLOBE advises either one of two
things:
First, it advises that the legislature
authorize the appointment by the gov
ernor of commission, to be composed
of men learned i'll matters of taxation,
which shall Investigate fully all these
questions, and report and recommend a
general taxation law for enactment two
years from now.
Second, if this does not seem wise, it
advises that the two houses of the pres
ent legislature, before they adopt any
radical changes in our existing taxation
system. invite and heed the counsel of
experts in this department.
One other thing the GLOBE advises,
and advises strongly:
In its treatment of the taxation prob
lem, let the legislature go slowly.
DEMOCRATS, GET TOGETHER.
The GLOBE submits to the Demo
cratic members Of the legislature the
advisabIity and good policy of fire.
quently getting together for conference
with view to unity Of action on those
measures which are plainly undemo-
cratic in their spirit. This not with the
expectation that they will be able to &C
compIish anything in retarding the
passage of these measures, but that the
Democracy of the state may be put
Alright on them by the opposition of
their representatives based on purely
| Democratic grounds.
The measures already in and receiv-