St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-15
DARE THEY DEFEAT III.

lIle C6plIctl
DARE THEY DEFEAT IT.
Surprising as it may be, there
is danger that the bill to tax
the lands of the land-grant
railroads will be defeated in the
senate. 1t would not be so astonish-
ing if this were the first presenta-
ton of the bill. Last session there
was reason to doubt its effect, and
the sentiment of the people was I'M
known. A few senators honestly
feared that it would release the
roads from the payment OF the
gross earnings tax. Others pre-
tended to entertain this fear to cover
the Doodle in their pockets.
But there are no such reasons now.
The bill is amply guarded against
any possibility of it's affecting the
gross earnings tax. We think the
provisions needless. The proceeds
from the sales of land pay no tax
because they are not included in the
earnings. They are not earnings in
CilIy SCllSC VI IiiS w VI u. AIcSN wv II -
only income from freights, passengers
and express. No justice court even
would be so dUnderpated as to hold
otherwise. The question has re-
ceiyed the Endorsement Of the state
conventions of both the Democratic
and Republican parties. They
spoke for the voters OF the state.
There was no opposition or remOn-
STRANGE in either convention. What
ever reasons were honestly enter
tanned last session are forceless now.
The other reason undoubtedly re-
mains, and is as potent as ever.
The railroad lobby is on hand and
active. They are supplied with the
same kind Of reasons as before.
There are senators to whom these
will appeal with overwhelming
strength. The roll call will save US
the necessity Of mentioning names.
Argument for the bill is useless.
Debate on it as a questionable meas
ure was closed long ago. Railroad
lobbyists will keep it up. They are
now urging in the ears of senators
and in the press that the bill if en-
acted, will lose the railroad tax to
the state. A queer argument surely
in the mouths of these men. If that
would be its effect these same Great
ures would be zealously working for
its passage. 1t is a cause of suspi-
ciOn when these wolves are SO fearful
for the safety of the lamb. When
the Irishman was asked to vote for
the Republican candidate for con-
gress because the Democrat would
have wages cut, the son of Erin re-
piled: Fax, if that were true you
would be votin' for the Dimmicrat
yerself."
Another view. All political parties
have We'd with each other in de-
manding the forfeiture of unearned
railroad grants. Each boasts in it's
campaigns of the vast tracts re
means of forfeiture acts passed.
Prof1igacy has given way to econ
omy The policy is to diminish these
grant holdings. The exemption of
them from taxation encourages the
holding. They are no burden. We
can wait until settlement makes
them valuable, is the policy Of the
companies. They have their agents
abroad to encourage immigration,
knowing that the pressure Of popu-
lands. If made to bear portion of
the public burden the inducement to
hold will be gone, and replaced by
an anxiety to sell. Prices will be
lowered. With this will come in
ducement for men to go back to the
land. The congestion of population
in the cities will be helped to relief.
Justice to settlers in these grant
regions demands it. Nothing could
be more cruel than to leave them
to bear all their local burdens while
their presence and efforts at Improve
ments were adding a value to the
lands of these companies while the
law eXempts them from sharing in
lIlG COSl. lie COi11JdllltS
never have had a foot of these lands.
They should be deprived of them.
That cannot be. The only way left
is to make them share the general
burdens. This can only be done by
subjecting them to taxation. The
senator who votes against it must
have a reputation invulnerable to
suspicion to avoid!th inference that
his vote was Influenced by the lobby
This is plain talk, but it is the fact.