The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-01-05

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! The following is Gov Lnd's message:
Gentlemen Of the, Senate and House Sof
representatives: Among the important
0utles which you have been commissioned
oy the people Of this state to discharge,
ana one that cannot be delegated or de-
serreo. IS to provide the necessary monies
Tor defraying the expenses Of goyern-
oent, and for the support Of our schools
ana state institutions. Pursuant to law,
the state auditor has submitted his esti-
mate or revenue receipts for the ensuing
biennial period based on tax levy Of
one and one-half mills. This rate accord
!r.s TO the estimate, will produce 81 56O, 900
IN the first year. and leave a surplus of
SZ'9'oOO over and above estimated dis
nursements: in the second year, S. 655, 900
With surplus Of $4,000. The estimated
surplus for the two years, aggregating
Ssesooo limits your appropriations for
new buildings and other original expendi-
lures to a sum within those figures.
Whlle 1t Is conceded that this estimated
surplus is not excessive in view of the
urgent necessity for increased facilities in
some OF our institutions, I venture the
predictlon that the rate suggested will
produce much larger amount than esti-
mated under a stricter administration of
our tax laws governing the return and as
sessment of personality. A reform in that
regard. even though you should not see
1T to change existing law is imperat lively
necessary. Besides there is an extensive
domain for a legitimate and material in
crease in the revenues of the state in a
manner which will not impose any new
burdens on our people, or on industry, as
will be suggested farther on. If you avail
yourselves Of these sources, feel conf
dent that you can safely reduce the levy
Joy $40 of a mill, and the state still realize
in excess of the estimate. The taxpayers
are entitled to a reduction in view of the
growth OF the state in population and
wealth, and [ earnestly recommend that
1T be made. This recommendation is not
made in a spirit of Indifference to the de-
'mandS of that liberal progressive policy
which is characteristic of our people in
their views concerning public expendi-
lures, but because it is earnestly believed
that the adoption of the measures for
additional revenues and of reform in the
administration of our state institutions,
herein recommended, will result in in
creased revenues on the one hand, and a
reduction of expenses on the other, and
by that means leave a larger sum availa-
bic for new undertakings than would re-
suit under the practices now in vogue.
Taxation.
The subject Of taxation is one so vital
to the state. SO important to the people
that 1t always merits the most earnest
consideration of both legislature and ex-
ecut1ve. The observations submitted are
necessarily brief and lacking in detail, but
they express in a general way the views
OF the executive as required by the con-
stitution. .gg& E.%
The state. which under our institutions
Is the people in their organic CAPACITY,
prescribes the conditions upon which the
individual shall take, hold and enjoy pri-
waite property One of these conditions
IS that the state may appropriate from
time to time, as required by the public
welfare, part Of such property for the
public good Taxation Is such appropria-
ton by the state Of the property of the
individual. 1t is NV II Stitied when cx-
ercised for public purposes, and in pllr-
suance of express law. The question in
behalf of what objects state taxation
should be imposed presents few :litricul-
ties. AS to our public schools, the admin
1stration Of justice and Of public affairs
our dependent and reformatory institu-
lions, public buildings and highways, and
many other public objects. we feel in
ht1nCtlVely that they are matters of public
concern, and that reasonable appropria-
tons for those purposes are for the public
good. But your duty and mine is only
half performed when we have. selected
proper. objects for the states care, It is
equally important that the money re-
qulred for these purposes shall be levied
and taken from s1lch sources that it's COL
lection in itself, will not be a detriment
ard me1iace to the public welfare A
good end does not justify questionable
haste to provide for the many meritorious
objects Of the public care, we have been
so intent on the end that we have over
looked the means. The truth of the mat
ter is that our state is to-day exacting
taxes on the little stock tools imple-
nrents-the means of subsistence-of num-
bers Of our citizens who are struggling. ia
support themselves and their families
! While thousands who possess great wealth
escape. Besides the inherent injustice of
this, the state can Ill afford to have those
already battling for an independent exist
ence loaded with additional burdens
which will sooner Or later transfer many
OF them into the dependent classes That
this condition Of affairs exists, the most
cursory investigation Of the Subject will
show It is no. more just or candid to
charge this to the depravity Of the
p Wealthier members of the community
than It is to cry demagogy whenever the
subject Is brought up It is in my judg.
ment q condition resulting from the new
forms that wealth has assumed under
the remarkable progress and the economic
changes which have taken place in this
century, 1t is not a subject for decla
nation %r invective, but for patriotic
speedy stlution, now and here, and as
rapidly aa the forms of our institutions
permit. .ass
In the eaSly days Of the republic, wher
the principals were formulated which still
property Constituted the property Of the
community. Wealth meant houses, lands
Implements land cattle. Franchises
bonds, stocks and securities were prac
tically unknown. To-day they constitute
according to ctnservative estimates per
haps 80 per cent of personally wealth
They are ownef by the wealthy. AS q
rule, they escaTe taxation, not because
they are the prsperty Of the rich, 0but
because the asseAsor cannot get his eyes
on them. The Roducer, on the other
hand, cannot ct'nfeal his stock or the
implements Of his trade, and they arc
taxed. The patriotic desire to volunteer
tribute to the state\is probably no great
er in the one thanin the other. TO illus
trate, let me cite you to the last pub
lished report Of otr state auditor rh,
leans and credits " the private banks
brokers and. stock iobbers in the state
were returned and assessed at $685., G36
while the sewing n alhines were valued
nearly twice that SUM All the bonds ant
stocks other than baRk stocks, were re
turEed and valued at less sum than TIL,
yeerling calves. and IDS than double tn,
Variation Of the dogs over six months