The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-26
LAY YI0LETS
ON ITS GRAVE
The House Glorifies Tax Re-
form, but Kills the
Bill.
Reconsideration of the Vote
On the Bill Is De-
feated.
This Done, New Tax Bills
Spring Up Like
Magic.

The tax bill is dead-long live tax re-
form!
This was the keynote of an exciting and
momentous session of the Minnesota
house this morning. The tax bill was
finally laid to rest, motion to recon
slider failing by the narrow margin of
one vote. The roll call stood 81 to SIS.
This done, four tax bills came tumbling
on the speakers desk. They are all in
the direction of the now defunct code.
Members will have chance to vote on
the following propositions before going
home:
1. permanent tax commission.
2. A franchise tax on public service COR
porations. =
, 3. A tonnage tax on iron ore
4. Inheritance tax law.
5. bill embodying the administrative
features of the real estate section OF the tax
code just killed.
Messrs. Anderson and Jacobson, oppo-
nents on the late tax bill are rivals for
the distinction of proposing alternative
legislation. The latter got some consola-
tion for his defeat of to-day. His bill was
made a special order for Friday at 1890
a. m. It embraces the first three of the
foregoing propositions. Mr.. Anderson's
three bills cover propositions enc, four
and five. They took the regular course,
being referred to the committee on recep
tion of bills. These four measures bring
before the house in different form all the
valuable features of the tax code.
A Permanent Commission.
The outlook for permanent tax COM
mission is. excellent. The Inheritance tax
law, which is drawn after the model in
the defunct tax code, will also pass with
out question Mr. Anderson's third bill
draws upon the tax code for the sections
relating to delinquent tax salesand judg-
ments which are acknowledged to be
great Improvement over the present law.
He provides for a state board OF review,
while Mr.. Jacobson's bill continues the
state board of. equalization. The great
fight Will doubtless come the franchise
tax features of Mr.. Jacobson's bill. They
provide for taxing not only public service
corporations with franchises, but tele
graph, telephone, freight line, express,
sleeping car and equipment companies.
His tonnage tax on iron ore seems to
| meet with favor from the Duluth delega-
ton, but State Auditor Dunn, it is said,
will oppose it. He believes q greater
revenue can be derived by taxing the
mines as real estate. '-'.
Revision of the constitution will prob
| ably be reached on general orders to-
morrow. Mr.. Smith tried to get his con-
| stitutional convention bill considered to-
| day, but failed to get suspension Of the
rules. The judiciary committee bill for
constitutional amendments met the same
| fate and went on general orders. The
disposition is to settle the problem of
! amending the present tax law before
tinkering with the constitution. .
| A Lengthening Session.
| The way business accumulated this
morn ing the outlook Is for a session last
! ing at least two weeks longer.
! A program outlined last night by
friends Of the tax bill went down with
| the defeat of a motion to reconsider. If
the bill had been reconsidered an at
l
\ the Wallace amendments. This could not
| have succeeded, but before voting on the
| bill again the intention was to strike all
but the enacting clause and substitute
the bill which jacobson introduced this
morning. This would have made the bill
a special order for immediate ~considera-
ton, gain of two days time.
| The farmer members only produced
seven votes this morning to support re-
| w
bill yesterday. On the other hand, friends
of the bill lost six votes on the mere
threat of the Wallace amendments, and
another member being absent, the bill
once more commanded just 81 votesa
Reconsideration moved.
When the head of motions and resolu-
| hue took the floor and said:
"Mr. Speaker, move that the vote on
House File 1 be reconsidered.
Mr.. Sageng, floor leader of the populist
| forces, seconded the motion, and said
! 81 understand that this motion is made
the bill which alienated some of its
stanchest supporters. This roll call will
show who the members are who are real
/ ly in favor of tax REFORM
Mr.. Laybourn demanded the ayes and
noes on the motion.
Mr.. Torson inquired if Mr.. Sageng's
action indicated that he had repented
] Mr.. Sageng replied: "No, have not re-
pented. My position is understood. !
will vote for the bill only when the Wal
lace amendments are stricken off,
A call of the house showed several
members absent who voted against the
bill yesterday. The excused were: Messrs
| Cooke, Daggett, Dobbin, G. Peterson,
PloWman, Potter and Umland Four OF
these were present yesterday, and three
voted against the bill.
Messrs. Lane, H. K Nelson and S. D.
i Peterson were absent without excuse. AS
4 all three of these were antis Mr. Jacob
son was satisfied, and moved that fur
Their proceedings under the call be dis
i pensed with. Mr.. 7Laybourn protested, and
j on division the motion was lost, Is to
1 bl. The sergeant-at-arms kept on hunt
ing Tor the three missing members.
, Lost by One Vote
4 The roll call was tie-54 to 54-but s
I'd. Peterson came in late and voted no
8 The vote in detail was as follows:
AYES
4 Messrs Aanenson, Larson,
I Alley, Lommen,
Armstrong, G. w.. Martin,
Continued ON second Page. .
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