The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-10

hospitals for the insane 1850 patients. Tho
increase during the past two wears was
9z4. II Is estimated blythe trusees thar
curing the next tWo-syea it will be 40J
Inc increase of these unfortunate wards
OF Inc state, Keeps pace with our growth
IN population, and, will continue TO do So
PROVISION must be made for their care
and maintenance. 1t is one Of the prai e.
worthy features of cur civilization, thar
SO much attention is. shown this class of
untortunates. While various methods of
treatment prevail in different states it
seems to me that the plan for state hos.
p1talS is the BEST for there the inmates
can be classified and more satisfactorily
treated, the best medical skill and mo /
experienced nurses can be secured and
many conVeniences and comforts can be
furnished them, which would not be pos
slble In county aSylums or In poor houses.
The action of the last legislature in hav-:
ing erected the two new hospitals at
Anoka and Hastings commits us to this
plan for the present, and In order 10
to provide in part fer the increase above
noted, the buildings at Anoka and Hast
ings should be completed. In their pres
ent and diminished condition, only 100 can
be accommodated in each building, but
when completed each should furnish
room for at least 200 inmates.
For further information, / refer you 70
the report of the board of trustees OF
these institutions and I particularly call
your attention to the proposed law which
the board urges your honorable body to
patients are committed to pay $k50 per
week for each patient, for the purpose OF
partially defraying the expense of his
care and maintenance. While this would
not to any great extent decrease the cost
1t might have a tendency to the exercise
of greater caution in making commit
ments. Other states have similar laws,
and I am Informed that good results fol-
low. Many times, mildly insane patients
who could and should be cared for at
home by friends and relatives, a~e sent
tn mr. hnS if1lS I ha T10I, IF
paying the whole of the expense for The
care of the insane, regardless Of Their
financial condition, great abuses have
arisen for often weak-minded per-
sons, or those who are old and feeble.
being somewhat demented are permitted
to become inmates of these institutions,
whereas, they should have been cared for
by those who are in duty bound to sup
port them and not have beer sent to our
hospitals; this practice must In some way
be stopped. 1t might in measure solve
the question constantly presenting Itself
for additional new buildings. If tbs
passage Of this Jaw would remedy these
evils to any great extent, 1t should be
placed Upor. cur statute books. This IS
for YOU 10 decide. after giving the mat
ter due and careful consideration.
FAvoRs A TAX COMMISSION.
The question of taxation is enc of vital
Importance and enc that the legislature
must carfuelly consider during this ses-
sion. There. should be a uniform tax Ia W,
which would place the burden Of taxation
equally upon the shoulders of all, so that
no one class of people shall feel It more
than another. Such is not the case at
present, for the poor man, If he mas a
little horne, cannot hide it, and pays MS
full share. The mechanic cannot cones al
his chest of tools. the poor woman her
sewing machine, nor the farmer mis- real
estate, implements or stock. 1t is tfe
wealthy who evade their share OF the
taxes, the large owner of personal prop
erty, such as moneys, loans and credits.
This class of property does not bear ITS
just burden Of taxation, and the legisla-
tor who could draft bill and have it
enacted into law that would bring this
class of property from hiding, have it
placed upon the assessment rolls and
there properly valued would be a bene-
factor to the state. l am of the opinion
that fully one-half of the personal prep
erty of this state escapes taxation. This
is true net only of Minnesota, but OF
other states as well.
realize that it is difficult problem
to find q specific method that will place
all PERSONAL property On the assessment
rolls, but | am sure that better methods
than those now in use in our state can
be adopted.
think the conceusus of opinion OF all
who have given the subject of taxation
the most careful study and research are
of the opinion that revenues shoTld be
raised for the state otherwise than by
direct levy on real estate and personal
| property. / am inclined to that view,
| and believe that our own state in time
can and viii be relieved of this mode or
| taxation. A great advance could be made
in this direction II We had a franchise
law similar to the one in New York.
| All corporations operating under special
| laws could be exempted, but every other,
both domestic and foreign. would have to
| submit to the operation of the law. Ir
| said companies refused or neglected to
do so, their charters or licenses could be
revoked. The franchise law, UNDER
stand, is working admirably in New York,
! and under date of Nov 26 Hon Pafe.
Deyo, secretary of the state board of tax
| commissioners, writes as follows: 1.-The
| first year of operation of the franchise
| of the property, including special fran
! chise, of SID. 100000. This is placed upon
the assessment rolls in tax districts
where the property is located and is
! subject to the local tax rates"
! will not discuss this subject further.
| Our present laws are certainly very de-
fective, and agree with several Of my