The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-02-07

| less be considered. The best way to aid
him Is to see to tel. It that +. all who have ",
| together pay their full share, and in that
| event his burden will be lessened.
actment OF this code viii result in large
ly increasing the assessment in our
state. II so, the rate of taxation will be
| materially decreased, and if those who
oppose the listing of all property at its
| full money value will bear in mind that
as assessment increases the rate de-
| creases less opposition will be heard.
| This, however, suggests matter which
certainly calls for your most earnest con-
sideration. The issuance of bonds by
municipalities is limited to a percentage
| Of existing local assessments. If you SO
| legislate that assessments will be ma
Ty he then en- you should
ure which will prevent the corresponding
increase of municipal bonded Indebted
| ness.
1 would recommend that an amendment
be made placing the exemption on per-
sonal property at one hundred dollars as
It has been for many years. This will be
especially beneficial to the people of small
| means. This suggestion, l am advised
meets with the approval of the tax com
| I would also suggest that the bill be
50 amended as to require the listing Of
| property on May LIST rather than April
| pare for putting into operation the new
code, II 1t passes, probably will be too
limited to make the necessary prepare
lions for proper assessment.
Our grain men express the fear that the
| proposed code If put into operation, would
be against their Interests and drive their ISr
date Of listing the same as in that state
and exempting all grain in interstate
stored In
upon an equal footing with those. of our
sister. state: This, in my Judgment,
that in Interstate transit Sits IS assessed G and
| taxed in Wisconsin, as other personal
property on May list. This suggestion,
I am also advised, meets with the ap-
prevail of the tax commission.
The proposed code. provides for the re-
peal Of the vessel tonnage tax. In this
respect allow me to make the following
Every good citizen takes pride in the
which promise greater wealth and pros
| perity. to any section Of the state. AL
though remote geographically from the
by legislation. that this state may soon
outstrip many of her rivals in the mag
nitude Of her shipping interests. The reg
istration of vessels navigating, interna-
| tional waters at the port of Duluth indi-
| Gates that 1t is favorite port When
| we. bear in mind that interstate tonnage
and that the revenues derived from a
greatly exceed what would arise from
Of property, 1t is apparent that the sub
ject is one which calls for your most
careful consideration. I trust therefore,
which, while not in violation Of the con-
st1tut1on, VIII preserve to the state ad-
yantages already gained, and present no
| fmpediment TO the growth Of our inf1u-
ence over navigation upon the Great
| Lakes.
BY request Of the commission to revise
our general laws submit the following:
1naSmuch as Chapter PAL of the Laws Of
1901, providing for the appointment by the
missioners to revise, codify and annotate
the existing general laws, expressly ex-
cludes from their, consideration "stat-
utes on the subject of taxation" and as
1t is desirable that the revision, when
completed, should contain all public laws,
appropriately arranged, it would seem
will be conducive to that end. 1t is OBJ
vious also that the work Of the commits
sioners is OF such character that it should
not be unduly hurried. The legislation of
the past thirty-five years has reached an
enormous bulk much of which is now
obsolete, and, on many subjects, redund-
patient research and painstaking labor
can reduce 1t to that harmony which the
public interests require. That the work
may be continued in such manner as to
accomplish the best results, action should
be taken at the present session. The
commissioners will submit for your con-
jeet. to which I Invite your attention tito SUI
The entire matter now rests with you.
It is for you to decide whether the work
Of your tax commission will be in vain
or not; l trust. and have faith to be-
lieve, that your deliberations will result
In great good to the state and that a
books that will equal if not surpass that
of any other state in the Union.
am aay.ssS that s the members Of the
willing to respond to your cali ariSdF s sfTS
you whatever assistance and Information
you may request.
lature Of the suit brought by the State
OF Minnesota against the Northern Sc
curities Company of New Jersey. Believ-
Ing that this corporation was organized
for the purpose Of evading and violating
the laws OF the State of Minnesota by
consolidating the properties Of the Great
companies, which companies own parallel
and competing lines of railway within the
state. 1 requested, Attorney General
state to prevent such consolidation. That
such consolidation is against the law is
Clearly shawn a%ya by to our stat
Of our General Statutes.
Sec. Z16. mo railroad corporation shall
consolidate with, lease or purchase or in
other railroad corporation, or any stock.
FRANCHISES, rights or property thereof,
eGgR esg a. linz No railroad corporation Or
the lessees. purchasers or managers of
any railroad corporation, shall consoli-
such corporation with. or lease or Dur
chase the works of franchises of, or in
any way control any other railroad cor
troll a parallel or competing line: nor
shall any officer Of such railroad corpora
ton act as an officer of any other rail-
control of parallel or competing line"
These laws have not only been held to
De conStitutional by the supreme court
nf hut oIe
That the Northern Securities Company
S % am erg IL not no PreUented By the courts
properties OF the two railway companies
under one management, is evidenced by
reference to sections and of the articles
or incorporation of the Northern Securi-
ties Company, which authorize this cor
poration ITO purchase, hold, sell, assign,
dapose of fSSge or
other corporation or corporations asso,
cIation or associations of the State Of
or country, and while owner of such stoci
to exercise all the rights, power and priv |
neges OF ownership. including the right |
any corporation or association of which |
any bonds Or other securities or evil |
oences OF indebtedness or stock are held !
by the corporation: and to do anv ART,
; or Things designed to protect. preserve |
, .I or enhance the value Of any
oemces OF indebtedness, or stock"
1nese powers are as broad as language
san make them. and authorize the North.
s sr securities Company not only to vote
S Sne STOCK OF the Great Northern and
tMortnern Pacific Railway companies, and /
mus exercise all the powers and priv!
c rsEes OF ownership and control, but spe.
S,mcaiiy empower the corporation to do
tne value OF the stock Of the Companies
r9s eRsio m which Of course. includes the
AZ s1e 10 increase freight rates directly,
20 as to increase the rates.
knowing that several other states in
III S1oi tL9 20 minnesota would be affected
S th public policy Of such states.