The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-11
DUNN'S TAX SCHEME
"A Complete Plan Outlined by the
Ramsey Member.


New constitutional amendments began
to pour in on the house this morning
Mr.. Dunn of Ramsey introduced a full set
of four sections, to replace the first four
sections of article 8, and to substitute for
those submitted by the tax commission.
His bill was referred to the judiciary
committee, where the constitutional con-
vention bill and the amendments submit
ted by the tax commission are reposing.
Chairman Allen called a meeting of the
committee. Immediately after adjourn
ment, but the Purdy speech was too great
an attraction, and the committee ad-
journed without action.
Mr.. Dunn proposes four new sections for
the constitution. ~
Section 1 re-enacts the present section
requiring all property to be assessed on
cash valuation, and to be equal and
uniform, except where otherwise spe-
officially provided. It also re-enacts the
present constitution relating to local i'm
provements in the cities, but strikes out
the provision that such assessments may
be made operative by special laws. 1t
changes the Inheritance tax provision by
taxing the estate instead of specific in
heritances. ~.
Section 2 is designed to relieve the state
officials OF the necessity Of levying state
tax each year when other sources of in
come provide sufficient revenue.
ent section that makes the 5000 exemption
permssive instead of mandatory.
Section 4 creates a classification for
taxation of all moneys invested at a fixed
rate of interest, and limits the taxes to
not exceeding % per cent of the income
derived. This section also provides tax
on incomes exceeding $500 derived from
the earnings of persons engaged in indus
trial, professional and skillful work, and
limits the tax to not exceeding per
cent of the gross amount. 49,
Mr.. Dunn says that in his belief the
amendments proposed By the tax commits
sion would not comm and six votes in the
house in their present form. He believes
in stating explicitly in the constitution all
exemptions to be made. Further, he
says the commission made the mistake of
drafting four sections which must stand
or fall as whole. They must be sub
mitted separately to the people, and if
any one should fail to carry 1t would
leave the constitution inadequate and
contradictory. -..~. .... =
PenninEton's Franchise Tax.
Mr.Pennington (dem.) of Dakota county,
offered bill proposing an amendment to
section of article of the constitution.
1T adds clauses providing that the legis-
lature may pass laws taxing, for public
purposes only, charters, special privileges
and franchises. 1t may also tax the gross
or net income of persons above a sum to
be fixed by the legislature.
Upon the enactment Of an income tax,
the legislature NAY for the purpose of
preserving equal taxation, by a general
law uniform in its operation, exempt from
taxation amy one or more classes of prop
erty.
Mr.. Pennington also introduced a bill
amending the present tax law so as to
reach the franchises or corporations by
adding TO the present basis Of valuation,
the funded debt. ~
Farmers Asked to Talk.
Mr.. Moves presented substitute reso-
luton taking the place of the one he in
troduced yesterday. In it's new form it
was not Objectionable to majority of the
house. It directed the chairman of the
tax committee to extend an invitation to