The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-14
STEVENS0N'S BREAK
He Mixes Politics With Business of
..... \ Masonic Aid.
SLUR ON STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Explanation and Hejoinder by the
Governor as to That Per
Cent Tax.
Special to The Journal.

Pierre, S. D., Feb. 14-Secretary Stew
enson of the Masonic Aid association is
sending out postal card to members de-
handing payment of dues with the option
OF lapse of membership in case of fail
ure. In his card he att empts to mix
politics with the matter, and several who
have received these notices have called
the attention of Governor Herreid who
says D.,
My attention has been called to the repre-
henslble efforts of Gilbert F. Stevenson, secre-
tary Of the Western Masons' Mutual Life
association, In trying to mix politics, Masonry
| and business He is sending out to the mem
bers OF the association the following postal
card: 't
4ankton, 5. D., Feb. /, 1902-This is to
notify you that If your January assessment,
$4.35 and 81 fine Imposed by the state OF
South Dakota for having contributed to the
| relief of the widows and orphans of Masons
who belong to this association total of So. 81,
is not paid by Feb. 16, 1902, your membership
! will be lapsed., .- t@E
~. --"Gilbert F.. Stevenson, Secretary
Perhaps a brief explanation is proper About
ten years ago this insurance company com
menced an action in the supreme court
against l.. c. Taylor, state auditor, to com
| pei him to issue a certificate Of authority to
| do business under the laws Of the state, Mr.
Taylor having refused because the associa-
| ton had not paid the 2 per cent tax on the
gross amount of it's assessments into the state
| treasury, required by law. >*,
! The supreme court decided against the as
ISOLATION and held that it must be regarded
as mutual benefit association, and not a
secret, benevolent, or fraternal society which
| pays sick death benefits to the widows and
orphans or heirs relative of deceased mem:
bers, and does not come within the proviso OF
| section SO of the insurance laws Of South
| Dakota.
| Mr.. Stevenson accordingly paid the per
cent tax and was given certificate. This
association is not of the same class as the
Workmen or Woodman societies.. Besides its
case has been before the supreme court and
settled. s
When the present insurance commissioner
| H. C. Shober demanded the 2 per cent tax,
| according to the law interpreted by the
! supreme court, Mr.. Stevenson again refused
| to pay. Mr.. Shober then submitted the mat
! ter to the attorney general, and acting upon
his advice again demanded the tax. To send
out postal cards designing the license fee re-
quired by law fine imposed by the state
| of South Dakota, for having contributed to the
| relief Of the widows and orphans Of Masons, -
is entirely Intentionally misleading and will
be so regarded by every fair minded man
and every one familiar with Masonic teach
| ings. -....
| It is the business of the administrative Off
GERS to enforce the laws of this state, as in
terpreted by the legal department aDd the
| supreme court, and I take this opportunity
! of saying to Mr.. Stevenson that nOtwithstand-
! ing his numerous political threats this ad-
ministration will endeavor to enforce the
| laws, which if unjust, can be amended only
! by legislative action.