The Saint Paul globe., 1902-01-14
WHAT WILL THEY Do?
GOVERNOR Is WONDERING AS TO
PROBABLE COURSE OF THE
LEGISLATORS
SESSION MAY BE PROLONGED
Possibility That Multiplicity az
Amendments May Defeat Tax
Revision BiII-8fay Last
Ninety Days.

Now that the extra session Of the leg
islature has been actually called, a great
many people are doing some tall spec
ulatlnS as to what that body will do
when it meets on Feb 4 Gov. Van
SAINT is doing as much thinking as any
one else. The governor, although he
called the session in good faith, after
careful consideration, realizes the many
opportunities which will offer that BODY
Tor dragging out the session to undue
lengths, and considering matters other
tAan the one for which the session was
particularly called. Many good Re
publican politicians advised the governor
to pass up the extra session idea because
they feared the result of the leeisla
lures deliberations, and realized the
possibilities for mistakes which might
be used against the party in the coming
state campaign.
The governor and his friends hope to
be able to prevent this by clever ma
nipulatton. The present idea is to call a
caucus of the Republican members and
settle on a definite plan of action before
the legislature begins it's work The
governor would be very grateful If the
legislature were to adopt the report of
the tax commission as a whole, lust as
it was reported, and then adjourn. This
is the general sentiment at the state
house, and such action on the part Of the
legislature would undoubtedly be greatly
appreciated by the people of the entire
state.
It is feared that if the legislature
once begins TO tamper with the law as
reported, there will be no end to the
amendments which will be offered, and
that tangle may result from which the
legislature will never be able to get an
1ntelligable measure together in shape
for passage Several senators have ex-
pressed themselves as favoring the
adoption Of the law as it stands, assert
ing that the work has been well done.
and by men who have had time to
properly consider the subject in all it's
phases, and are therefore in a better po-
sition to frame an equitable and just tax
law, than the legislature will be.
Question of Party Power.
The problem of the extra session
seems to be at the present time wholly
question of party power If the
members Of the legislature can be
brought into line on an agreement to
hurry up the business in the interests
of the administration, the session will
be short lived. But the chances are
against this proposition.
Great influence will be brought to bear
upon the members to make radical
changes in the tax law as reported by the
OO4AAAAAAooiOAl' IL IuG lIuh6IlnS IS once
started there will be no end to it,
While the session was called by the
governor with the tax report only in
mind, there is nothing to prevent the
taking up of other matters, and there
will be many efforts made to switch the
legislature to the consideration Of other
subjects. It remains to be seen whether
1t will work. A great many shrewd
politicians express the firm belief that
the session may last ninety days, and
take action on a variety Of matters
If the board of control controversy is
ever taken up by the legislature, there
will be beautiful fight The friends Of
the normal school and state university
say they will insist on an amendment Of
the board of control law which will sat
isfy their demands. The Republican
leaders hope to be able to keep this con-
troversy out Of the extra session.
Several of Gov Van SAINTS state house
advisers urged him to state positively
in his call that the legislature should
consider nothing but the tax law. The
governor thought, however that it was
better policy to leave the matter entirely
to the discretion Of the legislature, plac-
ing as much of the responsibility as posi-
BILE upon that body, hoping to be able to
prevent any serious outbreaks.