The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-12-22
SPECIAL SESSION MEETS.
Michigan Legislature Convened ~
Governor Pingree to Enncts
Taxation Law.

Lansing, Mich, Dec. 13.-For the third
time in two years the state legislature con-
vened here yesterday In special session
called by Gov. Pingree. Consideration OF
measure taxing railroads. telephone ana
telegraph companies, express companies
and other forms of corporate property, on
the cash value OF their property, instead OF
specifically upon their earnings. as under
the present law, is the object of the session.
In his message to the legislature GOV.
Pingree urges in explaining his reasons Tor
calling the special session that this legisia-
ture Is more familiar with the subject oil
taxation than the next legislature VIII De;
that therefore the debate need only re-
late to the provisions of the law under con-
sideration; that they have passed the At
kinson bill (Which was declared unconsti-
tutional by the supreme COURT; ana their
work at this session Is merely the reenact-
ment of that law, with such changes as may
be deemed advisable. The governor as
serts that a conservative estimate or the
taxes that would be paid by railroads under
the proposed law, II assessed on actual cash
value at the average general rate OF taxa
tion In the state as the constitutional amend
ment adopted at the last election PROVIDES,
would be more than s2.250.00o as against
81, 240.S4 the taxes received for the year
1892 which were assessed specifically on the
roads earnings.
The governor then submits the report OF
the expert appraisers, who have been at
work for the past three months, on the
physical property of 30 Of the smaller rail-
roads in the state, explaining that the APP
praisers have not yet finished their work.
After the reading of the governors mes
sage, the taxation bill was noticed In the
house, but formal presentation was de-
ferred until to-day. AS noticed, the Dill
provided only for the taxation Of railroads.
notice being given of another bill to cover
other forms of corporate property. Wednes-
day night, however the railroad bill was
redrafted so as to include express, telephone
and telegraph companies In its provisions.
Lansing, Mich, Dec. H.-An attempt was
made yesterday afternoon to have the leg
islature adjourn finally to-day without taxi
ing any action on the taxation bills. but II
was signally defeated in the house. Sena-
tor Brown, of kalamazoo, offered resolu-
ton to this effect. incidentally scoring Gov.
Pingree for converting the extra session.
, charging that there Is no such emergency as
the constitution contemplates, and that he
is putting burden upon the people simply
to crafty personal ambition.
After Lieut.. Gov. Robinson had ruled this
feature out of order the resolution was
! adopted by vote of II to II. The house
tabled 1t by an overwhelming vote and
then proceed ed to order the bills in the hands
of the committee reported for final action
| to-day.
| The house also voted down recommen-
dalton that a joint hearing be had by the
two houses, and that the representatives of
railroad and other corporations be invited
to discuss the bills. The senate will give
/ such hearing on Its own account next
week. having adjourned until Monday
night.
! Lansing. Mich, Dec. 15-By a vote of 50
to 10 the house yesterday afternoon passed
a blanket ad-valorem tax bill providing for
the taxation of railroads. express COM
panies and telephone and telegraph COM
panies upon the cash value of their proper
ty instead of specifically upon their earn
ngs, as the present law provides. Excepting
a few minor amendments the bill was
passed as II was introduced. After the
passage of the bill the house adjourned I'M
I'll Monday night.