The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-19
| Minnesota Legislature
won V It IN A CAN1ER |
How Tax Bill Supporters Scored a
Victory Yesterday.
OPPOSITION WAS ourF1GURED
However,, There Is No Disposition to
Pass the Present Drastic
Measure.

Opponents of the tax bill owned to a
complete defeat yesterday. They were
outplayed on the floor, but even with the
best OF generalship, they would have lost
They were beaten before they came to the
capitol yesterday morning.
There was tremendous change OF SEN
timent Monday afternoon. The action OF
the tax committee first struck a good
many friends of the bill as sensible
proposition, They were all in favor Of
constitutional amendments.
4 The true inwardHess of the move dawned
gradually The majority of the tax COM
mittee represents the nub Of the opposi-
ton to the bill. The one interest that
is opposed to the bill in any form is that
of the public service corporations. They
know that if the bill passes, it will in
clude the taxation Of their franchises. The
compromise that is in the air will prac-
tically remove all objection from other
interests 1t is evident, therefore, to
members of the house what inspires this
decided opposition to the bill.
The proposition of the committee was
therefore looked on with suspicion. On
closer examination, the point stated in
the committee meeting by Mr.. SchWarg
appeared palmer. what good will the
constitutional amendments do us in con-
sidering a tax bill?" he said. eve have
to pass tax law now, and the amend
year."
By evening the doubtful ones saw the
issue clearly. It was: Shall we try to
pass tax bill at this session or give it
up and go home after submitting some
constitutional amendments that may or
may not pass?
The general sentiment was that at
least an earnest ecort should be made to
frame a tax law The appeal was made
strong on party grounds. The legislature,
it was urged, had created the extra SEES
sion, and the republican party would gain
| or lose as it improved the opportunity. It
was UP to the legislature to accomplish
something in the way of tax legislation.
All the efforts of the flying squadron"
to stem the tide of this feeling were I'M
successful, and they practically quit yes
| terday. The democratic members who
favor tax legislation voted with the ma
iority on the motion to adjourn While
inclined to support their own party pro-
gram, the democrats who want results
are determined not to interpose any OBJ
stacle. They are avoiding the imputa-
ton of being obstructionists.
1t is generally believed that the great
effort to beat the bill will be made in
the senate, but as matter Of fact there
is a long, hard fight in prospect in tho
house. Opponents of the bill are banking
still on the constitutional amendments.
1uey Will De ulahteu anu dSieeu Oh ny
the judiciary committee in short time.
To be sure, there is no way of getting
them before the house without suspending
the rules, unless they crawl in under the
head Of petitions and communications"
but when adopted by the committee they
will be published in the newspapers.
When the house has finished amending
the bill, and is ready for final vote,
all who are not Il satisfied with the
measure will be appealed to by a mot ion
to lay on. the table, or otherwise dis
pose of the BILL and once more the con-
stitutional amendments. will bob up as
a substitute. J. 5ragf. ,u = 49, Fe
n There lis no longeraany talk of pounding
the bill through limits drastic form. Its
most ardent ) supporters are ready and
willing for compromise.