The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-03-21
THURSDAY, MARCH q, 1895.
PLEDGE FULFILLED AND A TRUST
BETRAYED,

RLEDOE fULflLLEU ANU n IHVSl
BETRAYED.
The Anderson railroad land taxation
measure seeking to tax railroad lands
has passed the senate and house,pass-
ing the former body only last week
with just enough votes. The measure
seeks to tax all railroad lands, which
heretofore have not been taxed, and
which the railroads claim should not
be taxed for the reason that the tax
on the gross earnings is intended by
the constitution to be the only tax on
their property. The gross earnings
tax is what might be called a personal
property tax for which all personal
property holders are liable. All real
estate owners, outside of railroad COM
panies, have heretofore and will here
after be obliged to pay real estate
tax. There is no reason, nor has there
ever been a valid reason why railroad
companies should not pay real es-
tate tax on the thousands of acres of
lands presented to them by this State.
The railroads, through their lobby
lists. who have infested the Legislative
halls of Minnesota for the last ten
years, in opposition to this measure,
have claimed that the land tax would
invalidate the gross earnings tax. If
such is the case why have the rail-
roads, through their gang of lobbyists,
sought to defeat a measure that would
save them thousands of dollars?
1t is well-known theory among ex-
perienced men that railroads invari-
ably pick one branch of the legisla-
ture for defeating a measure. They
concentrate and unite all their efforts
and money in this one body. On this
measure, ever since 1889, they have
concentrated in the senate. And here
tofore they have been successful at
every session. At the last Republican
State convention plank was inserted
in the platform, pledging the party to
a railroad land tax. That pledge will
have been fulfilled when Gov. Clough
signs the bill and the Supreme Court
declares the act constitutional.
Here in Redwood county it is almost
impossible for taxpayers to realize
the benefits of the measure. It is stu
pendous and almost beyond the linn
it's of belief. It increases the taxable
property of Redwood county to the ex-
tent of nearly, if not over, cool half
million dollars. 1t reduces the bur-
dens of the people and places part
of the burdens borne so long and pa
tiently by them on the shoulders of a
corporation made rich by their toll,
and which should have long since
been made to carry its portion of this
tax. An inquiry at Auditor Anderson's
Office, and here let it be stated that
MIR. Anderson was more than happy
over the passage of the bill, reveals
the fact that the two western tiers of
townships in Redwood county, are
composed of land nearly one-half of
which is owned by the railroad COM
panies. In addition to this, all over
the county is situated land sold on
contract, the buyer paying the railroad
company 500 or more down. Only
tho sum paid down has heretofore
been subject to taxation. Now the
whole tract will be subject to taxation
at valuation to be fixed by town and
county boards.
The GAZETTE on behalf of the people
of Redwood county, extends hearty
thanks to the legislature for the grant
ing of this relief. It congratulates the
Republican party on carrying out its
pledge.
1t cannot refrain here from express