The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-21


house had almost finished work on
amendments this morning and friends of
the bill hoped to bring it to a final vote
before night. That vote would have passed
the bill.
Enemies of the bill knew that delay
was their only hope: They supported
motion to adjourn until Monday morning.
Many country members wanted to take
afternoon trains for home and vote with
them. An amendment by Mr.. Plowman
was pending, but owing to the death Of
his brother, he was absent in Minneapolis.
This Influenced some votes. The adjourn
ment was carried-68 to 35-and the mem
bers scattered to the four points OF the
compass this afternoon. -.>-
The panic among the country members
has blown over They came wheeling
back in line this morning, agreeing to
support compromise bill. They planned
to reconsider the Wallace amendments
this afternoon, but gave over the idea
There was no prospect of overturning the
compromise, and they concluded to stand
for the bill without further complaint
Governor G. S. Ives of the tax commits
sion convinced several this morning that
their fears were groundless. He explains
that the only effect the Wallace amend
ments are likely to have is to prevent
getting at money in banks.
There are plenty of drastic features
left by which the tax commission and the
county supervisors can get at the large
city interests. He convinced them that
if even real estate valuations in the
country are increased enough personal
property will be brought out in the cities
to keep up the equilibrium. The state tax
being only one-tenth of the average total
levy was too small a matter to quarrel
about any way. -ss-
So the bill had plenty of votes to-day.
The democratic members are lining up
against it. They are echoing Mr.. Sageng's
slogan, "unholy compromise and de-
clare that the Wallace amendments are
an unnecessary concession Even with
their support not more than forty votes
would have been cast against the bill
to-day. If it is lost Monday it will be
on account of fine work during the two
and a half days recess. Those members
who stay in town will be ''jollied" inces-
sanity and delays are always dangerous.
The house has practically settled all
the important questions involved in the
bill. Mr.. Laybourn failed this morning
in his attempt to insert clauses exempt
ing grain stored in elevators in transit.
1t was contended by Mr.. Jacobson that
under decisions by other states such
grain Is exempt anyway, and that the
law should not make such a concession
to any interest. Mr.. Sander attempted
to reduce the salary of the tax commits
sioners from $4,000 to $4,000, but failed.
The amendments pending are compare
lively unimportant. The one introduced
by Mr.. Plowman restores the state board
Of equalization in place of the permanent
tax commission. 1t is not likely to pass.
The other amendments on the table are
from Messrs. Deming, Haugland and Bury.
The senate adjourned until Tuesday
morning. Having cleaned up its calendar
there seemed to be no necessity for sit
ting Monday, but If it had not been for
this action the house might have held an
AFTERNOON SESSION CO-udy. IulS WOulu
have sent the bill into the senate Mon
day morning. Prospects are said to be
good for the passage Of the compromise
bill in the upper house.
The house judiciary committee voted to-,
day to submit constitutional amendments
in the restricted form. Mr.. Roberts tried
to get vote for the wide-oDen system
recommended by the tax commission, but
failed five to eight. State Auditor Dunn
40 e.sa0., S%,,4s -
fly exemptions. A sub committee was ap-
pointed 20 draft bill and report Monday
noon. It consists of Messrs. Dunn, Rob
erts, Hickey and Anderson. It is under
stood that the bill will provide amend
ments to the constitution, declaring for an
income tax, for an Inheritance
tax. for an exemption of $500
on household furniture, and for a
license tax on mortgages in lieu of other
taxation.
Amendments Shaped Up.
The form of the new constitutional
amendments is practically agreed on.
The house judiciary committee at noon
took a final vote as to whether the consti-
tuition should be wide open or whether
the power of the legislature to make ex-
empttons should be restricted by placing
certain exemptions in the constitution.
State Auditor Dunn argued for the re-
stricted policy. Mr.: Roberts supported
the wide-open plan advocated by the tax
commission, but was beaten five to eight,
two members being absent.
A subcommittee was appointed to draft
a. bill, consisting Of Messrs. Dunn, Rob-
erts, Hickey and Anderson. The subcom-
mittee this afternoon agreed to a pro-
vision for an income tax on securities and
on salaries. Securities are to, be ex-
empted from other taxation. An exemp-
ton Of $500 is to be allowed on the per-
sonal property Of each head of q family.
Section I will include a provision that
the power Of taxation shall never be
surrendered, suspended or contracted
away. The local option feature Of the tax