Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-02-01
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Mr.. GLEASON in the chair.
EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION.

EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION.
Mr.. SVENSRUD,S bill, reducing exemp.
tiOns from taxation from 5000 to $50, was
under discussion. Mr.. Svensrud showed
the effect OF the law as it stands, speaking
of the custom adopted by some families Of
dividing up property to escape taxation.
The constitution requires an exemption IF
$500. which is too much; S25 in his judg-
menC would be enough. He favored an
amendment by Mr.. McLachlan reducing
to that sum. The law exempting 5000 was
originally introduced by MIR. Svensrud.
Mr.. PROSSER spoke earnestly for the
poor man and offered a substitute reducing
the sum exempt to 500.
Mr.. SIMPSON opposed the substitute.
He favored the lowest possible amount ex-
empt, speaking of the credit OF the state,
Mr.. SPANGBERG favored the lower ex.
emption and said. in his nelghborhood at
least one half OF the settlers paid no per-
sonal taxes. He said they divided up their
property to escape taxes: that they were in
with the schemers in town, etc.
Mr.. TWICHEn inquired as to the
emption, bringing out the suggestion that
it would amount to IS or So to each indi-
vidual.
Mr.. WINEMAN opposed reducing the
exemption below $500; said it was a
scheme of the western part Of the state to
put additional tax OH the Red River valley.
Mr.. ARMSTRONG favored the reduction.
The people almost without exception ask
that it be reduced.
MI. GILL said in his canvass for election
he made diligent inquiry as to VIII t the
people wanted and found IN almost uni
sersal demand among all classes for this
reduction. Wiling to pay all proper
charges themselves they desire to prevent
the frauds which rave been perpetrated
tNr0Ouh thiS fAotnrA 0f tbA Ia ~ .
Mr.. RICHARDS spoke of one farmer
who received IN exemption Of $500 through
dividing up his property among his family.
Mr.. LOGAN, as asse> sor, had noticed a
disposition on the part of perhaps half a
dozen to divide up their property to escape
carried out it would have been a good one.
The S25 amendment was adopted 20 to %,
ana the bill was recommended to pass as
amended.
H STATE FAIR APPROPRIATION.
A sharp controversy occurred over Mr..
Rays bill repeating the Grand Forks state
fair appropriation.
Mr.. .WINEMAN claimed the bill bad
Deen Introduced as a club to hold over
Grand Forks because Grand Forks had
protested against the appointment of a
Nelson county candidate for a state office.
This is understood to refer to George Win
tiers. He claimed Grand Forks paid more
taxes than any other county in the state
and was entitled to consideration. He
gave the amount paid last year as $55, 900.
Mr.. EDWARDS read from the report of
the state treasurer showing receipts from
Cass county S37,446; from Grand Forks
S24,ll1. lie did not care to take part in the
controversy, but in the interest of truth he
desired to correct the gentleman from
Grand Forks.
Mr.. RAY spoke for the bill and gave ex-
cellent reasons for its passage.
Mr.. GILL insisted that the state could
not afford to nave it 90 abroad that an ap.
preparation was left standing for such a
purpose, when the cry goes up for help
from the cactus stricken districts. He
moved that the bill be reported back, with
the recommendation that it do not pass.
This was carried-26 to IA.
CAPITOL NoTEs
There were many ladies present at the
capitol yesterday.
Auditor Briggs signed 254 warrants yes
terday for Legislative expenses.
Jud LaMoure, Col. Little and others in
sist upon every line of the civil code being
read section by section.
The mileage was paid nv checks on the
First National bank of Dickinson, which
lakes $4,000 of the state warrants.
Treasurer Nichols was busily engaged
yesterday drawing checks for the payment
of members mileage and other legislative
expenses.
Attorney General Cowan left for st. Paul
yesterday to represent the state in the
penitentiary investigation. Colonel Robin
son accompanied him. The charge they
take testimony in relation to is that a dis
count of Il. per cent. was allowed by the
st: Paul Rubber company upon a bill for
$685. for which no account was made. Also
the charge that 81 per ton was allowed
members of the board on all pipe, and 10
per cent. on all hydrants and extras,
amounting IN all to several hundred dollars,
by Rogers & Ordway, of Minneapolis.