The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-02-25
LUCK IO YOUR WORk
The Republicans in the Legislature
Have Grave Responsibility
Resting On Them.
The People Want Some Laws Passed
81 in Their Interests ii not Then
..Pop'' Goes Minnesota.
Special G Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
Last week in the legislature was
largely devoted to the drudgery of dis
cussion of bills already on their way
from the incubator of the house to the
slaughter pen in the senate. A good
many bills, it is true, were introduced,
among them one By Mr.. jacobson to-
Increase the gross earnings tax to a
per cent, instead of 3 per cent, as at
present. Another bill, by Mr.. Lee,
provides for a horizontal cut of 20 per
cent in the rates for the shipment Of
merchandise freight. This latter bill
is in line with two or three others al
ready on orders, but is perhaps more.
simple and direct in its application
than are somesof those which preceded
it, is understood to have been
drawn along the lines suggested at the
meeting of Fergus Falls citizens, who
demanded relief from the burdens Of
excessive freight rates.
i. i. 1:
In this connection I desire to say
|.thatiWhich every Of the UNION is re-
quested to carefully note and recall two
years from this date.
L l1) II the present legislature fails to
furnish some adequate relief for those
who feel that their taxes and their
freight rates are, out of proportion to
the productive capacity of their
various pursuits, the next legislature
will not be Repub lican.
l2)I the railroad commission dur
ing the next two years continues its
policyiof mastery inactivityit will be
abolished by the next legislature.
Unless some way is devised and
Iexecuted by the present legislature
Through which the burden of taxation
lis more equitably adjusted to the
lsholl iders Of the bearers this State
Twill he Kansased within 20 MOI ths and
fthe Y,rond lbanner Of Repnbl icanis11l
is tlle mire off lisDs
inspite 81 al that cons cientious Repub:
licans can do to avoid it. It's all well
enough to trust in God and the
weather, but the people want some
laws in their own interest, and if they
do not get some from this Republican
Legislature they will try something
else.
The house of representatives appears
to appreciate these facts, which must
have forced themselves already upon
the understanding of sensible men. ]
am aware that the house does not get
full credit for all it has done and tried
to do. It is coolly said by some that
the reason so many radical laws pass
the house is that the corporations dc
not try to prevent their passage in that
body, but reserve their persuasive
powers for the smaller compass of the
senate. This may be in some measure
true, but the fact remains that the
house has been true to instructions
from the people, and has passed prac-
tically every measure presented in the
interest of the masses. The Demo
Gratis and Populists Of the house oc-
cupy q peculiarly favorable position for
political effect. They invariably and
unanimously vote with the conserve
five Republicans on measures affecting
the general public, and will present a
record which will command public APP
prevail. If any good bill is defeated it
must be by Republican votes, and it is
the Republicans who will be held ac-
countable for it. The majority of the
house appreciates this fact, and it is
to this, I believe, that must be attrib-
uted the tendency of the house toward
independent action.
The house has some able and con-
|scientious Repu blicans for its leaders,
and on questions involving public
policy they are always heard from to
some effect. jacobson, of course, is
admittedly the leader of the country
forces. But there are others equally
sagacious, industrious and faithful.
Representative Staples usefulness has
been very much curtailed in this ses-
sion by reason Of his peculiar position
in the Hastings VS.. AnOka asylum
Az.