The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-17

An extensive amendment more clear
~ defining the duties of the tax COM
mission was added to the bill of Sena-
tor Cheer (Rep) of Wabasha, in COM
mlttee Of the whole, with Senator Bar
ker (Rep), of Isanti, presiding The
bill, as amended, limits the cost of the
work to $4,000, and directly requires the
presentation Of a new tax code to the
legislature of 1901
Senator McKusick Rep), of Pine,
urged that the work was immensely
important and should be we'll done.
Senator Greer said the amendment
was acceptable to him, and he hoped
II would be to the senate, as bill prac-
ucally in line Herewith had met with
the approval of the coordinate branch.
Senator Schellbach (Rep.), of Yellow
Medicine, thought the necessity of en-
phasfs on the matter Of personal tax
es was not sufficiently provided for.
Senator McGovern Dem.), of Waseca.
inclined to this view of the case too.
Senator StOckweu wanted franchises
taxed, too, and made a fight to have
these included.
Senator Knatvold (Rep.), of Freedom.
opposed the bill. 1t was an unwar-
ranted delegation Of legislative power
The legislature should make its own
tax laws.
Senator McKusick said that while
there were a lot of great II ans in
the legislature who thought they could
set off in a corner and draw a tax code
in a few minutes, his obser-
walton had indicated that the average
legislature did not have time, even if
it had the ability, and he did not for
get that usually there were some men
in the legislature who came there ac-
cidentaily.
Senator Knatvold alone voted no on
recommending the bill to pass
NEW TEMPERANCE MEASURE.
Senator HalvOrson Rep.), of Lac qui
Parle, sent in bill calling for the
appointment of a state temperance
commissioner and deputies
The commissioner is to be appointed
by the governor for a term of two
years, and is to receive 81, 900 per year
His deputy is allowed 81, 600 per year
and such special deputies as he may
employ from time to time are to be
allowed IS per day.
The duty of the commissioner shall
be to see that the liquor laws of the
state are enforced, and he NAV either
prosecute violations himself or require
county attorneys to do so. The COM
missioner and his deputies are given
the power of sheriffs and constabIes.
The term of the commissioner is to
begin April l, and he is to report to
the governor March 81 of each year.
The governor and attorney general
will constitute a board Of audit to su-
peTvise the accounts Of the temperance
department.
An appropriation of SIC, 600 is provid-
ed for the purpose of carrying the act
irto effect.
The bill by senator Miller (Rep.) of
Rock, so amends the existing insur-
anee laws that the commissioner or
county assessors may require any in
dividual, partnership or corporation to
Immediately exhibit and produce all
his insurance policies, and may list
the same, with the amount of pre-
miums paid and such other informa-
ton as the officials may desire. Any
person, co-partnership, corporation or
officer or employe of a corporation.
failing to produce such policies imme-
diateiy on demand shall be guilty Of a.
misdemeanor. Should it be found bv
the schedule that any portion of such
insurance was written by other than
authorized companies, the individual
partnerships or corporation named in
the policy or certificate shall be liable
for ard required to pay the tax In the
same manner and at the same time
as taxes on insurance premiums are