The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-01-11
LEGISLATURE WORK.
Minnesota's Solons, Who As.
semble Tomorrow Will by Busy.
Some of the Matters That Will Come
Before Them For
Action.

| st. Paul Pioneer Press:
Legislators from the northern part
of the state who were at the hotels
Saturday said that, during the pend
ing session of the legislature, amend
ments to the primary law recently
tried with success in Minneapolis will
be introduced in the hope that the
measure can be extended to all the
towns and smaller cities of the state.
Voters in many of the northern dis
tricts are urging the change for their
bailiwicks, and the volume of favor
able sentiment is growing to infuen-
tial proportions
The amendments to be proposed will
deal with specific phases of the law,
and will tend to correct such defects
as were shown in it's Minneapolis test
and to remedy possible difficulties that
may arise from the laws working.
The chief feature will be an applica-
ton of the law to the entire state
Senator Barker of Cambridge said
yesterday that he had been asked by
his constituents to support the meas
ures to be proposed, and that legisla-
tors from districts adjoining his own
had also been requested to lend assist
ance. The amendments have not yet
been framed, SO the specific changes
to be made are still unknown.
Inquiry among the represen tatives
and the senators from districts in the
central and southern portion of the
state showed that, although no definite
oposition has developed in those dis
tricts save from certain class of poll
ticians, the sentiment in favor of a
general law is not SO we'll defined.
Nearly $500, 900 in addition to cur
rent appropriations is asked of the
legislature for the five insane asylums
in the annual report of the state board
Of corrections and charities, filed with
the governor yesterday with reports
from other departments
For the purchase of farm for the
st. Peter hospital, new dining rooms,
improvements, maintenance and ex-
traordinary repairs 500, 600 is asked.
The erection of a special ward for
consumptives, maintenance, extraordi-
nary expenses and general improve
ments will require $40, 400 for the
Rochester asylum. The estimates for
the Fergus Falls institution aggregate
$76, 800, for Anoka and Hastings asy
lums ST., $40 and $50, $50 respectively.
The annual report of the State Agri-
cultural society asks the legislature for
an agricultural hall and for adequate
fire protection at the fair grounds.
Additions to the grand stand and new
machinery buildings are also request
ed, with the suggestion that all new
buildings be constructed of fire proof
material.
The report of the adjutant general,
not yet complete, suggests that
special agent of the state be sent to
Washington to press the states claim
against the general government. Out
of total of $143, 1874 originally due
for the service and expenses of state
troops during the Spanish war. $105, 221
has been paid. Among the claims not
yet settled is one of $23, 900 expended
in sending special hospital train for
sick soldiers down south.
The Itasca state park commission
asks for authority to try cases arising
out of violation of the park laws, the
appointment of committee to look
after the interests of the state park at
Mississippi headwaters, the fencing of
the area, construction of fire break
and purchase of eighteen row boats for
the use of visitors.
State Auditor Dunn will make re-
quest for inheritance tax legislation.
The desired enactment will avoid the
defects of the law passed in 1897, and
declared invalid by the supreme court
in February, 1900, and will provide
measures for the equitable taxation of
all.transferred estates.
During the operation of the old law,
covering little more than two years
and half, twenty-six different estates
paid inheritance fees amounting to
gil, 492. SO. The construction of the
law was peculiar and the tax imposed
on certain kinds of property was ex-
ceedingly low. Real property was ex-
cluded from its operation, inheritances
of personal property alone being liable
for the fee. A larger exemption was
granted to lineal descendants than to
collateral heirs
The court did not hold the law I'M
just and Mr.. Dunn believes that
wisely framed statute to take the place
of the old will provide revenue.