The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-14
HOUSE SHORT OF MEN
THAT CAUSES DELAY IN THE
PROGRESS OF PENDING
LEGISLATION
CALENDAR At A STANDSTILL
With Amy Opposition Lack Conf
dence to Thrust Them Against
the Lances With Half a Crowd
Yesterday Was Spent i'm General
Orders, With Little of Interest.

For the last five days the attendance
oi members of the house has been far
below what it should be. Last Thursday
it was given an explanation that two
score of the members were on junket
to the insane aSylums at Rochester and
ST. Peter
Yesterday there was but 70 of the lis
roll call, and several important bills on
the calendar were laid over, owing to
the slim attendance.
No new bills were introduced, and but
five of those on the calendar passed The
house took up general orders with
eighty-nine measures for consideration,
and, when an adjournment was taken at
o'clock twenty-four had been disposed
of, one being Indefinitely postponed, one
referred to its author, and twenty-five
recommended to lass.
AS TO INSURANCE TAXES.
The rumor or report that II. f. 233, by
MIR. Guttersen, providing for a gradua: ed
tax on insurance companies, was before
the legislature, evidently reached Wash
ington. The bill originally provided for
a tax of 312 per cent on business done in
the state by foreign insurance compa-
MES. tax of 212 per cent on business
done by companies Incorporated in other
states and a 2 per cent tax on business
done by domestic companies.
The letter from Secretary of State John
Hay, addressed to Gov. Lind and by him
transmitted to the house, read as fol-
lows:
Department of State, Washington,
March 9, 1S99.-His Excellency, the Cover
nor of Minnesota, st. Paul, Minn.-Sir:
The minister of the Swiss confederation
to this country has called the attention
of the department to the fact that a
bin is now pending before the legislature
of the state of Minnesota which fixes
much higher rate of taxation on current
premiums of the Swiss insurance compan-
les doing business in that state than are
required OF American companies. AS this
legislation, if adopted, would discriminate
against the Swiss insurance companies
and probably render it impossible for
them to do business in the state of Min
nesota, or force them to continue business
under great disadvantages, the Swiss min
lister calls attention to article of the
convention of friendship, commerce and
extradition between the United States and
the Swiss Confederation concluded Nov.
e. 1850 Article of this treaty contains
the following reciprocal agreement:
mo higher impost, under whatever
name, shall be enacted from the citizens
of one of the two countries residing or
established in the other than shall be
levied upon citizens of the country in
which they reside nor any contribution
whatsoever to which the latter shall not
be liable"
1 have the honor to call the attention
of your excellency to this treaty agree
ment and to say that the Swiss govern
ment has enacted no legislation discrim-
mating against the insurance companies
of the United States or tending to embar.
rass their business in that country. I
have the honor to be, sir, your obedient
servant. John Hay.
AS the bill of Mr. Guttersen had been
amended in committee so as to make. a
Cat rate of 8 per cent, the communica-
tion was referred to the committee on
Insurance There is no other measure in
the house Of this nature, although it was
stated that Senator Potter had a bill in
the senate along the line indicated.
MAY BUY STUFFED BIRDS
Mr.. finland Oem), of Ramsey. secured
- the passage of resolution providing for
the appointment of a committee of three
to report as to the desirability of the pur-
chase of the museum owned by Henry
Schroeder, in this city, for the state. Mr..
finland explained that the collection was
rare and valuable one and the oppor-
tunity to purchase it for the state uni
versity, historical society and agricultur-
al school should not be overlooked.
GIVEN $1,000 A YEAR.
The bill of Mr.. Ferris (Rep), of Crow
Wing, providing for the appointment of
a forestry board and the preservation of
forests, was amended in the committee
of the whole yesterday so as to carry an
annual appropriation of 81, 900 for the ex-
penses of the board and then sent to the
committee on appropriations. Mr. Fosnes
Onion), of Chippewa, opposed the bill as
being only visionary scheme and with
ont any practical benefit to the state
JOHNS SAVED HIS FEE.
Henry Johns, former member of the
house from Ramsey, did some missionary
work yesterday and the work was very
perceptible The committee on appropria-
tons recommended for indefinite post
ponement H. F. 436, by Mr. Marin (Pop.),
of Polk, which authorized the payment
of $500 to Peder M. Henricks expenses