The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1899-12-21
SPECIAL SESSION BEGUN.
Michigan Legislature Assemblies at
Call of Goyernor-Amendme
Of Constitution Wanted.

Il Lansing, Mich, Dec. 10. - The Nfinb.
igan legislature met in special session
at noon in response to the call of Gov
Pingree. The governors object is to
secure passage of joint resolution pro-
| yiding for submission to the peopIe ar
the general election next November Of
an amendment to the state constitution
placing railways upon the same basis
for taxation as all other property. At
present the railroads pay specific tax
es upon gross earnings.
Interest in the special session is in
creased by the fact that the grand iury.
which has returned indictments aIleo-
ing bribery against some of the legis-
lators, is still in session here. Speaker
Adams, of the house of representatives
who is one of the indicted men, presided
Monday as usual.
The message of Gov. Pingree was
read Monday afternoon before the Joint
session of the two houses. If uroed
passage of the proposed joint resolu-
ton, so as to permit enactment of laws
by the next legislature for equal taxa
ton of all property at its true cash
value. Said the governor:
The inequality of our system of tavs-
ton is so great that immediate stems should
be taken to remedy it," The duestio,, In
VOWED had for years been exhaustiveIv I
discussed and was therefore no longer
properly open for debate, but called for
energetic action
Gov. Pingree referred to the. bIsforv If
~ y 4
was declared unceSstitutional nv the STATE
supreme court, and recalled the fact that
a JOINT resolution of similar purport 10 the
one now proposed passed the house during
the regular session, but died in the senate
committee. He called particular attention
y q cause in.the '9S platform of Michigan
epupicahs 'is which commended the Pingree
io- tloh Tor its efforts in the direc-
non OF equal taxation and favored imnoe- ]
nate legislation for taxing railroad taie-
,Iaph, telephone and express properties {
lpoA ls Ineir true value. The message urged | E
nat lat the matter be considered only as
natter of principle. :" c
Inc governor submitted a tabla sbouving +
nc comparative value of railroad propertv
IN. T me states which most nearly resemble
- an IN population and DEVELOPMENT p
.ai,,.a.s aealihs the value at which Michigan's r.
ahmay property would be assessed ~
Urn as much per mile as such properfv II
the other states mentioned. viz. In !,
- taua, q Minnesota. Ohio and Wisconsin. :,
- ueu uctlon from this was that Michigan u
aa,toda 'e,,,s property based on such values
.,,ar pay several times the amount of
venue 70 the state which thew now do al
+e goYernor concluded by saying: "If b.
!, wen for you to remember that there are :,
-; a's three states in the union in which
-..toaaS -aas pay specific taxation upon the tE
'oss earnings
Inc senate adjourned shortly after
. JOINT convention, after unanimous
aaoptlng a resolution, offered by
Gun slne (dem.) to waive all legislative M
.'hege and appear before the grand ii,
y Il Subpoenaed In the house the fie
~ =. resolution amending the consti- tb
,.On along the lines laid down by ~
:. ringree was introduced and re-
|, ~ 70 the committee on judiciary. -
i 'V-oay some definite plan of action III
! nave been determined on. MANY gu
- an adjournment until after New POI
= , Whlle some favor the immedi- phi
passage Of the resolution and ad- ma
) ,4nent sL.. this week. It is pretty GER dat
= !, mat It will pass the house. Its fate rec
'ue senate is in doubt ~