The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-25

the theory of our taxation was based
on equality and uniformity.
Now, this commission proposes a tax
code which violates and Outrages equal
ity and uniformity. If such measures as
/. they proposed are adopted, it is sure to
hurt the credit of a great number Of our
citizens.
1.-The commissioners had the theory
that every kind of property should he
reached, but how did they start out to
reach it? They started out by assuming
that men are dishonest; that they would
endeaVor to conceal their property; that
they would even perjure themselves.
They assume that this state is suffering
from lack of taXation-that the state
treasury needs more money.
States Credit is o. Il
'Minnesota's credit is A /. The finances
of the state, as well as the state institu-
tons are in a splendid and flourishing
condition.
I'm our school fund alone we have
Louisiana purchase, and in ten years
we will have twice as much more in
that fund. There is so much money there
now that the state officers are unable to
invest it, and within the last year have
had to put it in bonds drawing 3 and 81
per cent interest.
what we want, and what is really
needed. is, not an increase in valuation,
but retrenchment in state expenditures.
That is just what this commission is
not recommending.
1T is simply political claptrap to dis
turb business conditions throughout the
state every year or so with this needless
agitation on taxation.
Every class of property in this state
can be reached under the present law.
ITO show how inQuiSitOry the proposed
code is, we will take the farmer. 1t Will
compel him to make out statement OF
the estimated value of everything he
owns on earth and swear that the state
ment is correct If it is in the case of a
hllSinPSS statement
made out before an assessor. Should the
business man decline or fail to swear, he
will be subpOenaed before some magis-
trate of the law and, refusing to take
the oath then, he would be subject 10 a
fine of from $50 to 5000, or be placed in
Jail till the fine was paid.
Under the proposed law there would
be no assessed valuation everything
would have to be put in at the actual
valuation-the price for which 1t would
sell.
False statements would be subject to
the same punishments as perjury.
1.-The assessor himself would be guilty
of a misdemeanor if he failed to make
you take the oath.
public statement Of the actual value Of
everything you had in your home and
your business, or commit perjury.
Under the present law there is an
posed law the exemption would be but
Now, the direct effect of this pro-
posed law would be to increase the val
uation Of property-the tax rate may be
lower, but the state valuation will be
higher, and your taxes would be from
three to four times what they are now.
Double Taxation.
"And now as to invisible property
stocks, bonds, and other securities. Sup
pose WIDOW Hying in st. Paul mad re-
celved $1,000 from ner husbands 1nsur
ance. She would &C to some friend,
probably in the banking business, ana
ask advice as to investing the money TO
mend Northern Pacific As, and ten shares
would bring her an income of $500 annu-
ally. The tax rate in st. Paul is 8
mills, and that is as high as it can be
pushed. Under the proposed tax code
she would have to pay So on each share,
notwithstanding the fact that the
Northern PACING road had already paid
tax on these shares under the gross
earnings law.
'.Under the present law the farmers
in the state have escaped much taxation.
but if they are now compelled to list
all their grain and farming land at its
full value, Will they not be hit and hit
hard?
Now. as to the proposed constitutional
amendment of this tax commission. They
propose that section of article shall
be amended as follows:
= All taxes shall be uniform upon the
same class of subjects within the terri
TOr1dl limits OF the aQtnOr1Cy IeVylng the
taxes; and shall be levied and collected
under the general laws for public pur-
poses
This is as different from the present
law as light and darkness. 1t makes
wide discrimination possible. There
could be discrimination between indl-
viduals and communities. Duluth might
be called on to pay one tax on her eie-
vators and Minneapolis another The
whole question of equality would be
swept away.
The commission also proposes to
amend section of article 9, as follows:
" The legislature may by general laws
provide for the apportionment by coun-
ties, of the amount of revenue to be
raised therein for state purposes, and
may in any law providing for such APP
portionment authorize the counties to
select the subjects upon which the rev.
enue is to be raised therein for state or
county purposes, and to apportion such
revenue among cities, villages and town
ships of the county
by this the sovereign right of the
people is delegated to the legislature"