The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-03

One hard fight was left unfinished
when the senate adjourned shortly af-
ter noon yesterday. The ordinary rou-
tine was disposed of early, and there
was a prospect that general orders
would be cleared up without much de-
bate, but ii was not so to be.
The first bill 10 awaken any opposi-
ticn was that introduced by Senator
Somerville (Rep), Of Brown, requiring
foreign corporations doing business in
the state to have a public office in the
state and requiring a license fee.
Senator Wilson CRep), of Hennepin,
proposed an amendment to save from
the effect of the law corporations al
ready here. He cited the Chicago, Mil
Waukee & ST. Paul railway as an in
stance where an injustice would be
done.
Senator Semerville opposed the
amendment. and cited a decision of the
supreme court declaring the power of
the state in these respects was su-
pIeme. That these corporations had
escaped the license when they came in,
W hen Minnesota citizens had to pay it
If they formed a corporation.
Senator Horton RepD, Of Ramsey,
granted thar the power of the state
would permit it TO exclude foreign cor
pCrationS or to build a Chinese wall
u.
the passage of the bill would excite
retaliatory legislation in other states
1t would also conflict with the law
which taxes the railroad companies 3
per cent on their gross earnings in
lieu of all other taxes. If this bin and
the antitrust bill passed no Minnesota
man could buy a spool of cotton with
out going outside. 1t would ruin the
jobbers OF the city.
O
question of power, but of public policy.
Senator Sheehan (Rep.), of Ramsey,
could not see any Chinese wall con-
cealed n the bill.
The Wilson amendment was lost
Senator Wilson then wanted to strike
out the words hold or dispose Of from
section l.
Senator Daily Pop), of Otter Tail,
wanted the senate to beware of amend
ments that might destroy the effect of
the bill.
Senator Wilson Indignantly denied
any such disposition toward the bill
This was lost, too. and then he intro
duced two amendments to limit the
report of the corporation TO the state
ment of its capital stock invested in
this state
Senator Stockwen DEM, of Henne-
pin, who is life insurance agent, OPP
posed the bill, although he said 1t
would not effect the companies he rep
resented. as they were not corpora
tons organized for peeuniary profit,
This bill was an outgrowth of the
heresy Of protection.
Senator Thompson (Rep.), of Fill
more, said companies were going to
West Virginia to incorporate to invade
the Minnesota Incorporation fee Cor
poratfons were organized for the al
mighty dollar only: partnerships might
have other interests.
Have lawyers any other purpose?"
inquired Senator Stockwell.
JOHN IVES RETORT.
yes. sir retorted Senator Ives
aDeml. of Ramsey, lone other purpose
Is to keep life insurance agents hon
est
This sally won hearty laughter.
Senator Collier Oem.), of Scott, said
n was not believer in the "heresy
OF protection" but he did believe in a
Democratic doctrine of equal and ex-
act justice to all and special privileges
to none. He wanted the foreign COM
panies placed on the same footing
with domestic.
Senator Horton said he did, too.
Equal and exact justice would make
this bill retroactive only back to 1889,
when the present corporation law was
passed.
Il want my dinner before 1 make a
speech on this BILL said Senator Pot
ter (Rep9, of Hennepin. II move that
the committee rise
And 1t did
NEW NORMAL BOARD.
Gov. Lind sent in the following NOM