The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-29
work of the Tax Commission.

The G1obe is asked to publish the
following open letter to the tax commits
sion:
To the Hon. H w Childs and Members
Of the Tox Commission: 1t is an anoma-
lous condition that confronts your COM
mittee, that you get no response to your
Circular letters for ideas as to proper
mode Of procedure in the work Of re
ViSing the tax laws" as represented by
the st. Paul G l o b e.
That you may not charge this part Of
the state with neglect 1 will reiterate
suggestions that you have often heard,
and that you frequently hear discussed.
1t is not so much the want Of q new
code of laws that embarrass your work
as it is to provide adequate measures to
enforce present laws This is one of the
defects in our popular form of govern
ment, and will obtain so long as free gov
eminent exists.
1 would have three assessors elected in
each county, the full board should act
upon every assessment; hoping that this
administrative body would be nearly
free from favoritism, not 50 liable to the
moral duress of local influences, nor of
divided responsibility. Would have all
property contribute to the public Income
except churches and cemeteries, and
mortgages drawing no more than 4 per
cent per annun, except as below. CThe
attempt to tax the mortgage interest
nally failed. The mortgagor always pays
the tax in a higher rate of INTEREST,"
Any oCner exemption is liable to abuse.
Would not allow money and credits to be
offset by debts due by the party assessed
unless the party would furnish evidence
of specific Indebtedness, the amount of in
debtedness and to whom due and paya-
BILE.
Would have the work corrected and
equalized by the county commissioners,
and the value of real estate finally an
alyzed by the administrative department
of the state government.
Under the power given by our state
constitution to create courts Inferior to
the supreme court, would have judge
elected in each county (who should be a
member of the barr. with Jurisdiction to
embrace all issues that might arise be-
tween the assessor and the people in es-
tabllshing the liability to taxation as well
as the questions that might arise as to
the valuation placed on both real and
personal property. Would collect taxes as
now provided by law; Would make tax
on personal property lien on the real
state of the owner of the personal prop
erty after the tax becomes due
Would advertise delinquent taxes and
also advertise the giving of a deed.
Would make the deed conclusive ev'-
dence Of all that is executed in the deed
except as against minors and such 9th :
persons as are usually exempt from
short limitations.
Would not tax railroads on through
traffic. Would get railroads to agree 10
an amendment to the constitution taxing
only net earnings at a maximum rate
not to exceed one-half of the rate levied
on other property of the individual upon
the theory that one-half of the value of
the road is utility Indispensable to
the public. Would not tax Touring mills
to be designated as custom mills. COM
PEELED to render service at a fixed sum.
Would not tax full-blood male animals
for farm use Would revive the statutes
of Edward III. on importation Of animal S
of merit. H. H. Gray.
Luverne, May 27, 1901.