St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-13
THE APPROPRIATIONS
Much Debate, but No Important
Changes.

CndnScss
In committee OF the whole, section II
of the general appropriation bill, to re-
imburSe the counties in which untaXed
railroad lands are located, gave rise to
a long debate. MI. Wyman explained
and defended the proposition, which is
a new departure in the matter OF APP
pronriations. He said that the idea
was first preached by himself because
of the defeat of the Markham bill. The
counties to which the various sums
were to be appropriated were strug-
Cling under oppressive taxes. and he
held it would be only fair and just to
allow the amounts asked for.
There was little objection to the ap-
propriationS for the'cOuntieS named in
the bill except from Messrs. Young and
Biorge. Both these gentlemen were
opposed to the appropriations on prlil-
ciple. They further. expressed the fear
that the amounts donated were in the
nature of sop to the northern counties
to allay the excitement over the defeat
of the Markham bill. IntimatiOnS were
also uttered that the railroad companies
or their friends were behind the move.
Mr.. Wyman warmly resented these
insinuations. He pointed out that he
had voted against all so-called corpora
ton measures, ana asserted the apprO-
prlationS were proposed in good faith TO
relieve overtaxed people. He aQuieSced
fully in statement OF Mr. Abbott that
two wears hence the matter OF taxing
unused railroad lands would be made
an issue in the election of senators and
representatives; and he believed that
men would be elected who would place
all property in position to bear Its just
PROPORTION of the burden of taxation.
Members from the southern and
southwestern counties claimed their
sections should likewise be given por-
ton of state money. They asserted
there are unused railroad lands in their
counties which have never pald taxes.
Several Of these gentlemen-notably
Messrs. Hopkins, Holman and Lock
Wood-vOiced their belief that combl-
nation had been fixed uD by which the
cities were to be supported by certain
country members in securing the ap-
preparations they desired.
Lectured by Lee.
Amendments were offered to give
Watonwan, Martin, Pipestone, Otter
Tail, Mobiles, Mower, and other counties
certain sums and the members Offering
the amendments were SO persistent that
Speaker Lee rose to protest. He as
serted earnestly that the northern c0un-
ties should have consideration. They
were denied adequate representation ill
the legislature, especially i'll the senate;
they had no power to compel Justice;
they could only humbly beg for what
ever they might get Referring to the
report of the senate committee on pine
land steals, the speaker somewhat bit
terly remarked that even their main
source of revenue III the northern sec
tions had been stolen and taken to richer
portions of the state. The unsolicited
swamp land grants also came i'll for a
scathing shot; and i'll closing Mr.. Lee
hoped the southern members would
render Justice rather than attempt to
obstruct the interests OF the poorer
counties of the state.
The effect of this speech was seen
later on, when motion was made by
| Mr.. Bjorge to strike out all the appro-
! priatiOns for counties. Mr.. Lockwood
| and others protested, saying that, while
! they could get nothing for their own
counties, they did not desire to prevent
| others from getting what they could.
| The motion to strike out the approprla-
| tons was lost. and the bill was recon-
| mended To pass. An item OF $1,000 was
| inserted for the state high schools. The
! amount for wolf UOunties was made
| S25,UU0.