St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-20
COOLEY At THE TOP
HENNEPIN,s~ AUDITOR CHOSEN AS
PRESIDENT OF COUNTY COM
MIssIONERs, ASSOCIATION.
FEW COUNTIES REPRESENTED,
BUT THE FIRST DAYS SESSION WAS
PRODUCTIVE OF GOOD RE-
SUITS.
VISITORS ARE ENTERTAINED.
FEW COUNTIES REPRESENTED,
VISITORS ARE ENTERTAINED
merciaI Club by the Various
Delegates.

state were represented, yesterday,
when the first conference Of county
commissioners Of the state was called
to order at Representative hall in the
capitol by Secretary McGinnis, of the
Commercial club. E. w. Randall, of
the state agricultural society, was
made temporary chairman, and Her
man Weibel, auditor Of Winona coun-
ty, was made secretary.
Secretary Hart, of the state board of
corrections and charities, spoke briefly,
combating the current tendency to
sheer at "junkets." He believed that
a properly conducted tour on the part
of county commissioners, when they
had public building to erect, was a
great educator, and saved them many
dollars. The annual conference, by
the same reason, was a good idea. 1t
gave the members a chance to ex-
change ideas.
A committee on resolutions was ap-
pointed, consisting of D. r. McGinnis,
A. H. Hannay, Andrew Olson, j. r.
Schane, N. Y. Taylor and H. Norland.
The committee on permanent organi-
zat1on, composed of G.. F. McCarrOn
Samuel e. Kellermann, H. H. Luh-
mann and ]. Walfried, recommended
the election of the following officers.
to hold their positions for one year:
President, E. w. Randall, Of Ramsey
countrywide presidents, E. J. Conroy, of
Hennepin county, Robert Roberts, Of
Blue Earth county; recording secre-
tary Herman Weibel, of Winona
county; enrolling secretary, N. T.
Taylor, Of Meeker county; execu-
tive committee, with authority to
arrange for the next meeting, presi-
dent, b. w. Randall, Ramsey county;
Z. X. Cooley, of Hennepin county; H.
III. Luhmann, of Washington county:
Fred Davis, of st. Louis county; H. II.
Hart, of Ramsey county
subsequently, however, it was de-
clded to limit the membership of the
association to county commissioners.
auditors and surveyors, which disouali-
lied Messrs. Randall and Hart. c. r.
Cooley, of Hennepin county, was there
upon chosen president.
This gave Hennepin the president
ana one OF the vice presidents, and &C
cord1ngly the name of Ed J. Conroy.
was withdrawn, George Allen being
substituted. Mr. Conroy and Sam E.
kellermann, Of Ramsey, were elected
to the vacancies in the executive COM
mittee, which was increased to nine.
the following names being added: H.
Norland, Polk county; r. S. Hughes,
Blue Earth; J. D. Schane, Traverse;
M. Walsh, Winona.
There was some interesting discus
sion over the resolutions brought in,
especially those for the taxation of
mortgages and bank deposits. The
subject of good roads was also gone
into at some length, and it was decided
to invite A. B. Choate, of Minneapolis,
to address the conference for twenty
minutes this afternoon. 1t is thought
that by noon the conference will have
adjourned, and it accepted an invita-
ton to visit the plant Of the Gillette
Herzog Manufacturing company, IN
Minneapolis, this afternoon.
Today's session will be held at the
Commercial club, the room at the CAPT.
tol being quite chilly yesterday.
The resolutions adopted yesterday
were as follows:
at. is regarded by the committee for the
best interests of the state of Minnesota for
the most economical and most efficient con-
duct of county affairs that a non-official per
manent organization of the county commits
sloners OF Minnesota be effected at this con-
vention."
Resolved, That we recommend that the
laws be changed so that all personal property
OF individuals or corporations, except rail-
roads paying gross earnings tax, be assessed
property is found at the time of assessment y
There was but little discussion about the
section, and the next one went through
easily enough. 1t resolved that "The legis-
lature of this state at it's next meeting be
memorialized TO provide for a commission to
eodify the tax laws and provide a tax code
for this state and to make such appropria-
lions as may be necessary therefor.
We recommend that the poll tax be abol-
1shed, and the system of optional taxation en-
acted by the last legislature be commended
nf hot
ment. supplementary resolution demon
strated that the county people are not agreed
as to the method of spending road money.
1t read as follows Resolved. That the ap-
preparation of road money by the counties to
townships is in different ways improper and
Wasteful, and our lawmakers should provide
for discontinuance of the practice; and
further resolved, that our road laws should
be so amended as to provide for the expendi-
ture OF county road money on township roads
similar amounts as on other roads,
Gov. Clough being unable to be pres
ent, Attorney General Childs briefly
addressed the conference.
George Hazard presented the fol-
lowing:
The states Of Minnesota and Wisconsin act
ed In the matter of securing the Dalles of the
st. Croix as an interstate park This hav-
ing received such a universal popular in
dorsement. leads me to petition your hon.
orable body to consider whether or not the
time has not arrived for a state commission.
to be provided for, to cooperate with the
county commissioners, town or village officers
in matters pertaining to the water level of
many of our beautiful lakes. to the acquiring
of roads and boulevards around the same.
where desired, and the possibility of presery
ing many of their beautiful features to the
future.
1t may not be known to your body that
many of these lakes are within two counties
for instance, White Bear lake. The last leg
fcI 1fIrrn frio6 10 ID
around this lake, but the courts have de-
cided that certain features of the law made
it special legislation. Many of our lakes in
this state, being within the borders of two
counties, will make 1t difficult for us to
reach the desired end unless there is a law
passed that would apply alike to all parts
of the state.
Hoping for your careful consideration of this
matter and that you may deem it wise to pc
tition for future legislation on this line,
Among those present yesterday were
Sam Kellerman, c. F. McCarron, and
Nels j. Ness, of Ramsey county; M. w.
Nash, Surveyor Frank Plummer. and
j. E. Egan, of Hennepin; Andrew Oh
son, Washington county; r. A.
Hughes, Blue Earth; H. H Johnson.
G. II. Browne, Washington; J. Wal
fried. Chisago; William Danforth,
Goodhue; J. D. Schane, Traverse: Her
man Weibel, Winona; H. Morland, o.
IL. I1d1HSy, LUX, w. "A. FOrDeS, Sec
rotary Minnesota Engineers society.
st. Paul; o. H. Stark, Lyon county; N.
F. Taylor, Meeker.
On the invitation of the Commercial
club those in attendance at the conven-
ton held social session at the club
rooms last night. A number of speech
es were made by county commission
ers, surveyors and members of the
Commercial club, the subjects dis
cussed mainly being good roads and
the management of local affairs. Prof.
Fenwick played number of piano Sc