Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1900-09-11
ing to. tho state for the privileges they
aross Eal NJ g Tax.

The governor then called attention to
tho inadequacy Of the gross earnings
tax. Calling attention to the different
states having gross earnings tax laws
he said: .ar.,1~S. \. Az. @s VA
I'm Iowa railroad property Is taxed
8 7.lO per cent on gross earnings. In
New York 4-l0 per cent. In Illinois
8 40 per cent. In Massachusetts 8
$40 per cent. In Missouri 8 $40 per
cent. In Kansas IL per cent. We're
railroads in Minnesota taxed as in Iowa
and Wisconsin they would pay one
fourth more taxes than they do now.
Were they taxed a. high as in Illinois
they would pay double their present
tax. We're they taxed as high in pro-
portion to earnings as il New York
our receipts from that source would be
increased over $50 per cent. ~
"And yet, with all these facts before
the Republican legislature Of two years
ago. with an overwhelming majority,
with absolute power to pass or defeat
any bill, the senate persistently fought
and deliberately killed bill to raise the
gross earnings tax on the railroad prop.
erty in this state. to 4 per cent. BY this
action the taxpayers Of this state and
the state have been deprived Of nearly
81, 900, 900, and I here and now pledge
the people of the state Of Minnesota
that if they elect a houae Of representa-.
tives that
Will Garry Out These Reforms
and induce the present Republican
senate to listen to the arguments Of
reason, justice, patriotism aud duty,
that, after the laws thus enacted in &C.
cordanoe with my recommendations
have gone into effect, the taxpayers Of
this state will never again, under ordi-
nary circumstances, be called upon to
spend one sent of taxes for the support
Of the state government, or for the
maintenance of state institutions"
Referring to the care of public lands.
Mr.. Lind spoke Of the munidcent gift
$500, 600 acres Of swamp lands to the
state by the government.
Had this bountiful donation been
husbanded even with reasonable care
it would have proven ample in time not
only to drain the large bodies Of wet
and untilable lands in the northern part
of our state, but it would have contrib
uted much to the maintenance Of our
state institutions, and our public
schools. But former legislatures and
executives, with a prodigality little less
than scandalous, have succeeded in
frittering away more than $4,000
acres of that magnificent donation by
grants to railway companies for other
schemes"
He then spoke of the manner in
which the land had been frlttered away,
referring to the Duluth and Iron Range
railroad and other cases as instances.
Tribute to Reishus.
In referring to the administration Of
the railroad and warehouse commission
the governor pays q high tribute to Mr..
Reishus as chief inspector Of the grain
department.
mo. l Northern, Duluth, has stood
on an average, as compared with the
four leading competitive grades in the
Liverpool market. Q cents higher than
those grades. During tina crop year
closed. No. Northern, Minnesota in
spection. has ranked to 8 cents per
100 pounds higher in the Liverpool
market than No. Northern, Chicago
inspection; the average for the year be-
ing cents in favor of Minnesota in
spection. Throughout the crop year
No. ! Northern, Duluth, aud No. l
hard, Duluth, have uniformly been
quoted higher than the corresponding
grades, No. Northern, Manitoba, and
No. hard, Manitoba. This gratifying
result has been effe ted by enforcing
the same standard of ex ,ellency upon
grain inspected out Of the terminal ele.
vators as is applied to the farmers
wheat when it reaches the markst."
The matter of regulat ng railroad
rates is treated by Cover or Lind at
considerable length, and numerous re.
auctions in freight ra;es are men.
toned.
AS to the financial co lditi,n of the
state the governor says:
''The finances of the state were never
in better condition than at the present
time, nor did it's credit ever stand as
high as it does today. I confess that
take some pleasure in ref RI ny to this
fact, in view Of the claim made by the
opposition two and :ouc yea az a.
my election as gov. rnor OF b : ate
would ruin it's credit ami destroy the
business of the people. Thank God the
wealth, industry and prosperity this
state, and I might say OF this W o-e
glorious country Of ours. is letter al.
chored than to he contingent on the
political defeat or elevation Of any in.
dividual.
Treasurer Koerner Comp:imented.
During my administr .,ion not a
cent of the states fund b " been ost or
lnisappropriated.s SO far as I an advised,
or have been able to ascertain. I men.
ton this fact not tor tie purpose of
claiming any personal credit. For the
excellent management o1 our state
funds Mr.. Koerrer, tie retiring treas
urer, is III large measure entitled to
the credit, and l accori it to him cheer