The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-04

That Omaha junket Of the members
Of the state board Of equalization ac-
complished seemingly the object which
the Twin City Rapid Transit company
desired. Backed up by Gov. Clough and
with words of warning ringing in their
ears from Attorney General Childs, the
board yesterday, by a vote Of II to Z,
allowed the railway company to escape
q raise of taxation, so that it will pay
no more this year than last.
1t was confidently expected last week,
previous to the boards trip to Omaha,
that it would increase the railway COM
pany's valuation. The temper of the
board seemed to indicate such action.
There were arguments presented to the
board showing why 1t should be in
creased, and no plausible excuse has
been assigned for passing it, unless,
of course, the Omaha trip may be ac-
cepted as an excuse.
Gov. Clough loaned his presence to
the gathering yesterday afternoon long
enough to express his disapprobatior
OF The st. Paul G o b e and his hearty
approval of the Omaha trip. He also
took occasion to put In a few vigorous
strokes for the railway company He
was not a member Of the party, and
just where his personal or political in
terests were touched by the proposed
raise does not appear clear. The gov
ernOr never appeared as a champion Of
the railway company.
Directly opposed to Gov. Clough and
the majority of the board were Attor-
ney General Childs and State Auditor
Dunn. Both officials were anxious thaa
the railway cOmpanys taxes should be
increased, and Attorney General Childs
pointed out to the board in a manner
that could not be mistaken that on
its own showing the company was
treated more leniently in the matter Of
taxes than any other corporation in
the state. But his arguments were Cd
ne avail. The board did not want to
be ungrateful, and 1t voted against q
resolution to raise the company's taxes
and in favor of one to pass the valua-
tion as returned last year.
The proceedings were opened at the
beginning of the afternoon session by
Gov. Clough. 1t was the first time dur
ing the meeting of the board that the
governor had honored it with his pres-
ence. 1t had hardly been called to or
der by Chairman Potter when the gov
ernor rose and delivered himself Of a
hot speech.
GOV. CLOUGHS WORDS.
'In the four years that I have been
governor" he began, II never have
voted with your body on any question.
But it is my duty to vote on this rail-
road question. I did not intend until
today to vote on this or any other
question I believe this board capable
of handling this business, and so I be-
lieve now, but I am anxious to go on
record. I want the state to know just
how l felt and voted. I never was a
coward and I am not one today.
don't propose to be bulldozed or driven
by The st. Paul G l o e. There hasn't
been a single demand by any one in
The two counties or in Minnesota, nor
q voice in interest Of raising the street
railway assessment. I am satisfied
that if there had been a demand for it.
l would have been the first to hear 1t.
There may have been a demand for the
increase by The G o b e, but not out
side Of that. The G o b claims today
that this board went on a spree in
Omaha and at the expense Of the street
railway company. 1 was angry as soon
as I read that story. because 1 believe
this board has right to go to Omaha
] don't know who paid the bills. ap-
pointed every one Of you. 1 had conf
dence in you when 1 appointed you, and
I have complete confidence in you to-
day"
Chairman Potter interrupted the gov
ernor by applauding his expression Of
confidence.
Il thought this railway matter ought
not to be touched" Gov. Clough con-
tinued. Il am acquainted with the men
in these two counties-the men who
pay the taXes-and am satisfied they
are willing to leave the assessment of
the railway company alone. 1 did not