The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-08-30
FOR AN EXTRA SESSION.
Members Lsrgely Favor One TO Consider
Tax Matters Next Winter.

The Minneapolis Journal has been
interviewing members of the legisla
ture as to how they stand on the ques-
ton of an extra session and finds the
sentiment stronger for an extra session
now than it was last winter, the feel
ing being that the question of tax re-
vision can be better handled at spe-
cial session when it would have the
sole right of way, than will be the
case at the regular session. Of the
sixty-six members who have replied to
the Journals inquiry, fitty-fve favor
an extra session if the tax commission
is ready to report. Of these replies,
one is from Blue Earth county, being
that of Representative Geo. R Wilder,
of Amboy, who says:
~ am in favor of an extra session
to act upon the report of the tax COM
mission for the reason that last win
ter's term was cut short for that pur-
pose 1 also feel that it is duty the
Legislature of 1901 owes the people of
Minnesota-the proper adjustment of
our tax laws"
Among the replies from others who
are we'll known here is that of Senator
John A. johnson, editor of the st.
Peter Herald, who says:
Eyes, l favor an extra session, pro-
vided, however, that the report of the
tax commission shall be unincumbered
by the introduction of other business.
The present legislature would be free
to act impartially upon the report
The next legislature would not be as
! free as this because local interests
would have to be protected and those
, in charge of such interests might of
! necessity be compelled to subordinate
the larger and more important matter
of the tax report to the minor one of
local interest. 1 believe that the repor:
would receive consideration at spe-
cial session which it could not possibly
get at a regular session, and God
knows that it needs the fairest pos,
sible treatment. -
Senator Shellbach of Granite Falls,
a former Mankato boy, says:
81 am not particular. The rea
benefit to be derived from the revision
has been exaggerated No matter wha
the law is, intang ible property viii
ALWAYS be intangible property, and tn,
tax assessed on the account will b.
then, as now, tax upon a mans con
science. But inasmuch as the presen
commission was created by the presen
Legislature. it would seem appropriat
to have a short session to dispose o
the report as unfinished business
J. c. Sweet another Mankato bov
and one of the representatives from
Minneapolis, says:
81 most emphatically favor an extr
session in February, 1902. for the rea
SONS which actuated the governor an
the members to agree to hold one
= Nothing has arisen to warrant
change. The movement not to hol
the extra session comes from source
! not calculated to inspire any enthusi
astic support on my art. "
Representative Thos. Torson of 81
James in his reply says:
&; 81 am in favor .of an extra sessio
because that was the understandin
before we passed the Laybourn bill an
also when we cut the last session shor
and further, because there were man
of the members that voted against Gel
tain measures because they though
the tax commission would take up tn
matter and we could act more intell
gently after the tax commission ha
made their recommendation. But 1 ur
derstand the grain.interests and som
more of the corporations are againi
an. extra session, but on..-.the.othe
. hand, ]. think the common people ger
. orally. are. in favor of more equal taxs
. tion, .and:I thinkswe.ought.to take til
responsibilitysand have an..extra.. SCI
sion.
. Representative j.. A. Armstrong {
Faribault county put himselfss..on.-r r.
cord as follows :.
1.-THE tax commission was.appointe
for revising the tax code and to repol
same.by.Feb. 1st, 1902, so that the e1
ira. session:to be called could. legali2
the act.and make it operative for th
assessments of 1902. If..anything.is
be gained, and I think there is to max
taxation more equal, 1 am in favor {
the extra session to perfect the pla
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