The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-12

This was an off day for the Minnesota
Legislature. Lincolns birthday was OBJ
served by the lawmakers with every APP
pearance of complete rest, and those who
lived within easy reach of their homes
spent the day with their families. few
members from distant parts Of the state
remained about the St. Paul hotels, dis
cussing the tax bill.
After seven days of active work, the
situation begins to assume a more def
mite shape.
The democratic minority has pro-
gram. There is no longer any doubt OF
it. 1t is announced to-day in the party
self-constituted organ, which verihes the
suggestion made in yesterdays Journal.
This program, it Is announced, is etc
disturb existing conditions as little as
possible" on the ground that mo crisis
exists in the financial condition of Min
nesota at this time, and that it is bad
business policy to experiment for the
mere pleasure of experimenting.
Three bills comprise the program. Two
Of them. were. introduced. yesterday by
Senator Baldwin in the senate and Mr..
Pennington in the house. The first pro-
poses an amendment to section of article
8 Of the constitution. No other change Is
proposed in the states organic law. The
amendment gives the legislature power
to impose an income tax, and to exempt
any class Of property from taxation.
Pending this amendment, the second bill
proposes an Immediate amendment to the
present tax laws, enabling the assessors
to get at the full value of franchises. 81
i The third bill will be introduced to-
morrow morning in both houses. 1t will
provide for the taxation of foreign corr
porations doing business in Minnesota,
using their capital stock and funded debt
as a basis, and assessing them on the
proportion Of their capital represented
by the business done in Minnesota
T.. Lind's Hand Apparent. g...s1
T. This third bill bears the unmistakable
hall mark of Former Governor John Lind,
and attaches his name to the entire pro-
gram, which has evidently been agreed
upon by a conference between the ex-goV-
ernor Mr.. Rosing and leading democratic
members of both houses. The intention
Is to line up the democrats as far as
possible to support this program. 1t
publican members to command their in
dorsement, but they will Of course refuse
to support a democratic measure.
The republicans have not caucused, or
attempted to formulate party program
up to this time. Legislation was limited
without the necessity of caucus, and it
seems unlikely that one will be held un-
/: less q great exigency arises. This move
on the part OF the democrats seems to
call, however, for some concerted action
on the part of the majority, and every
thing Is tending that way.
The great mass Of republican members
agree that it would be disastrous to ad-
journ without adopting into law some Of
the tax commissions work. The bill as
1t stands does not command any support.
Even with the amendments. suggested by
the governor, it does not seem likely that
majority could be secured in the house,
and such a bill would he sure to die in
be g. compromise. AS already indicated
in T h J o urna al, it will be minus the
drastic features. In this shape it would
not be very different in it's effect from the
present law except In three features
which nearly everyone comedies are great
improvements. They Sare:i :. ,ssE :1b j.
Improved systems Of assessing and col
lect1ng real estate taxes. : I5 ~
Taxation Of franchises. ~
The permanent tax commission. s. :
This last would include the other i'm
proved machinery for getting at property
which would doubtless be assessed al
nearer its full value.
Country real estate would be fixed at
higher rate, but the new machiner,
would tend to bring out hidden persona
property, and the balance between coun
5 try and city would be maintained.
This compromise measure will be &C
cepted by those who want radical ia,
y reform. as the hest thew can tt will
be agreeable to those who are sincerel.
in favor OF tax reform, but opposed tt
the law as 1t stands. If the bill is re-
ported favorably out of the senate ant
house committees, it will come in the
compromise form.
These Count on Dem. Allies.
The element which is opposed to an!
legislation at this session is getting to-
gether on third program. These mem
bers decided that the best way to kill the
bill is not to amend it to death, but tt