The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-05
GROSS EARNINGS BILL RUNS GAUNT-
LET OF THE UPPER
,~sI HOUSE
IS NOW UP TO THE GOVERNOR
Measure Goes Through With but
Faint Show of OppOsition-sen-
ators Defer to Wishes of
Their Constituents.

gross earnings bill passed the senate yes
terday by O. vote of SO to 8, with SEN
ators MCGOWAN and Stockwel absent.
Both senators came into the champer
shortly after the vote had been annouhc-
ed and at once asked that the record
show that, If present, they Would nave
voted for the measure.
Ea:ly in the forenoon, Senator McGlll,
on behalf of the tax committee, OF whlch
he is chairman, reported the bill with
recommendation that it pass, and with
the further recommendation that 1t be
made a special order for Friday. Senator
Jones, of Todd county, moved That the
report of the committee be amended,
placing the bill at once on its maj pas
sage He stated that the senate would
vote as Understandings upon the meas
ure then as it would if it were made
special order. The motion to amend the
report prevailed by a viva voce vote, and
the report Of the committee, as amend
ed carried unanimously
In moving adoption of the committees
report Senator McGill spoke as follows:
''At the beginning of this session of
the Legislature it seemed to me, in view
of the creation of tax commission If
one should be created as recommended
by the governor and auditor, that il
might be wise to refer the subject mat
ter of this bill to that commission for
it's opinion on the rights and equities in
VolVed in it, and the power of the leg1s-
lature to deal with them That there are
grave legal questions involved in the
bill it would be but shallow pretense TO
deny. 1t is possible-even probable-that
some of the railroad corporations of the
state have rights involved in this matter
of taxes, or a fixed pc! centage on gross
earnings in lieu of taxes, superior to any
law this or any legislature can pass. But
it has seemed to me for long time that
the burden of taxation borne by these
corporations was rot equal to that borne
by other forms Of property, and I shall,
therefore, support this bill, as l did two
years ago, as a testimony to this con-
viction.
LAS regards the wisdom and eApeGiency
of referring the subject to the tax com
mission, l have on reflection concluded
that nothing could be gained by such ac-
ton While the legal findings OF the
commission might, and Undoubtedly
would, have value, they could not be de-
cisive, and the subject would still be be-
fore the legislature.
'Of the merits of the bill I feel we'll
convinced at this time. And since the
legai rights of tie various corporations
affected will never be known until they
have been adjudicateG before, and de-
tern1ned by the courts, a reference to
the commission could avail no good or
useful purpose. Therefore, while | cheer
fully concede to others the right of
Judgment, which 1 claim for myself, I
shall vote against the proposition to re-
fer the subject, at this time TO the tax
commission.
''1he subject OF the bill is one of vast
Importance IN that it goes to the very
lie root of the states right to exist. If
the state is to live it must have revenue,
and, under the constitution, this revenue
must be raised on the basis of an e.1ual-
ization of values of all property in the
state. Those gentlemen of the senate
who believe that the railroads are now
paying an equal share of this revenue. as
compared with other property, are ju6ti-
ned IN opposing this bill Doubtless
every senator will be guided by his sense
Of duty in this matter.
have a number CT warm and val
ued friends who are railroad men and
much interested in this legislation If
voting on the proposition went by favor
would be glad to vote to refer the bill
to the tax commission, or even vote
against it's passage, as the principle of
friendship is strong with me. But hav-
ing In mind my sense of duty to the
state and my own conscience. I can ONLY
vote as my judgment dictates
1T may be that the bill will not mass
inns body, since similar bill failed here
Two years ago; but in that case the issue
VIII simply be deferred For in nv
judgment until this or a similar bill does
pass both houses of the legislature and
become law, It will continue to be tho
most vital question in the politics of orr
state
The life of a state is long, end the
people are the sovereign power. We NAV
hlnder and obstruct the policies which
would rebound tic the commonwealth, 8
veal, but cannot prevent their final at
cOnplshment"
SENATOR GREER EXPLAINS.
On account of the early hour. the call of
the senate occasioned a longtedious inter
val before voting began. Upon final mas
sage the vote went AYE" without com
ment until it came Senator Greer's turn
Mr.. Greer said he did not deem the meas
ure constitutional and that he was on
posed to its passage two years ago. He
hao heard no argument CONVINCING
enough to cause him to change his mind
II the bill were submitted to the neo-1a
they would probably vote it's adontion
and, for his part, he did not care to i'm
pede the progress of revenue toward the
state coners, by recording an affirmative
vote upon measure which would do
just that thing. Senator J. D Jones
stated that he voted for the measure be-
cause the people of the state were nm
questlonably in favor of its passage He
mad voted against a similar one two
years ago. He didn't believe in it person
ally ne sald and he didn't believe 1t
would survive the inspection of the ST.
preme court upon it's ccnstitutiona1itv
but he bowed to the peoples will in the
matter
senator ryder was eloquent in his on
position to the measure, said he consid-
ered railroads the foremost factor in tha
development Of this great young state
and he wouldn't vote to discourage their
building and maintenance The Mime
sofa roads were paying just measure of
taxation. He referred feelingly to the
thousands Of prosperous, happy homes
supported by the railroads of the state
and he referred plaintively to the condi
ton Of his home county, which would
make great sacrifices to obtain one of
those modern magic developers. Sen
ator Schaller Oem.) who voted against
the measure two years ago, said he did
so upon honest conviction. The people
wanted the matter submitted. and thew
were Tor the measure without question.
Senator Schellbach responded to his
name with a philippe against the bill.
The bill will not only be declared I'M
constitutional" he said. but it will tie
Up millions and millions of the states
revenues Laymen may not see if In its
strictly legal sense, can't see how any
lawyer upon this floor, who has looked
INTO the merits Of the measure can vote
Tor 1t. Not one of them has a right
TO vote upon any measure SO important
without giving it honest attention. am
voting my honest convictions as I voted
them before. We. who have voted hon
estly against this measure because II
isn't worth the paper 1t is written upon
nave been blackguarded and abused ana
L for one, am willing to get out Of the
way and let the people settle It. The men
who drew this bill ought to know that
this state cannot tax interstate com
merce, and there is not LAWYER upon
the floor who doesn't know, If he has