The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-07-11


The board of control will. I am led to
believe, make most excellent showing
when its annual report is presented to
the public. 1t has had many difficulties
come. In our state there have been no
precedents to guide it. The road was a
has been where there have been two
boards endeavoring to manage the same
| institutions. In such cases there Is al
ways, conflict, for it is difficult to as
ceases and that of the other begins.
This should be remedied. In my judg-
ment the educational institutions should
not have been placed under its manage
ment; it was not the intention of those
originally favoring. the board of control
plan; 1t is not for the best interests
has not the time to do the extra work
which this entails upon it. The next
legislature should amend the bills in this
respect, and no doubt other changes will
need to be made from time to time. The
board of control. in my judgment, will
grow in public favor.
GAME AND FISH PROTECTION.
Public sentiment in our state favors
mission has the earnest and hearty CO.
operation of the people this year as never
before When we consider as an asset
the value of the game and fish of Min
nesota, amounting, as it does, to many
millions of dollars, we deem it but just
to commend the splendid work of the
commission.
BUREAU OF LABOR.
On our statute books are some Of the
very best labor laws. Our state received
one of the five medals that were awarded
as first prizes at the Paris exposition in
1900 for the best labor laws and a di-
ploma from the proper authorities of that
exposition now hangs on the wall in the
office of the commissioner of labor at
Among the many labor laws that we can
point to with pride are those relating to
child labor; laws regulating the educa-
ton and employment of children and
prohibiting the employment of children
at dangerous or in immoral occupations;
laws for the, protection of the health,
a general factory inspection law; laws
for the protection of railway employees;
the eight hour law and many others.
DRAINAGE.
By an act Of the last legislature an ap-
preparation of $4,000 was made for
drainage purposes. Pursuant to said act
the commission, composed of the COVER
nor. the auditor and the secretary Of
to make the. same effective. Several
bitches are about completed, and all the
others possible under appropriation are
contracted for. The entire work will be
completed by the end of the year
THE QUESTION OF TAXATION.
Probably no subject which now con-
fronts the people Of our state ELECTS
more interest and is Of greater impor-
II.
ter Of common knowledge that our tax
laws are inefficient and that as a con-
sequence very large percentage Of tax
able property escapes the lists. While
we all recognize the fact that it Is prac-
tically impossible to frame perfect code
of tax measures, still we should strive
to meet, as far as practicable, the pri-
mary purpose Of tax legislation. which
is to place upon the lists all property
subject to taxation and distribute the
burdens, justly and equitably. At the
wa fvoo &C.
tax legislation, to bear in mind the great
business interests which have contributed
to the building up Of our state. and
which make Minnesota one of the most
conspicuous states of the Union. No leg
islation should be adopted which will be
unjust to these interests or hamper their
prosperity However, they should respond
to their fair share of taxation and thus
assist in the maintenance Of the state
as an equivalent for the protection and
benefits vouchsafed them by the laws.
At the last session OF our legislature
an appreciation of the fact that con-
stitutional limitations existed which pre-
vented the passage Of necessary and eff
fective tax laws prompted that body to
provide for submission to the people
amendments to sections one, two and
three of article nine of our constitution.
Without entering into a detailed dis
cussion of the merits of the proposed
amendments, I desire to heartily COM
mend the measure to the voters of our
state and earnestly urge the adoption
thereof.
THE MERGER MATTER
I will not close without calling your at
tention to question of the very greatest
Importance to the people Of our state.
the Northern Pacific and the Great
Northern railway companies. To this
end the Northern Securities company of
New Jersey was organized to acquire
railroad company in exchange for it's
own stock and it was through this COM
pany that the unity Of management was
The matter was deemed of such vital
Importance that immediate action was
taken to prevent the consolidation Of
these companies. With that object in
view Attorney General Douglas was re-
quested to bring suit in the name Of the
state to prevent the proposed consolida-
ton. That such consolidation is against
the law is shown by reference to GU.
statutes. (See sections 2716, 2717) The
best interests of our people not only re-
stricted competition. for the transporta-
ton Of the products of our farms, fac
tories, mills and mines. 1t was with this
idea in view that our legislature years
the consolidation of parallel and COM
peting lines of railway within our state.
These laws have not only been held to
be constitutional by the supreme court
of the United States, but they also de-
clare L wise public policy. The deter
mination to bring this suit was not en-
ward railroad companies. Our state has
dealt literally with them and has decided
to the various railroad companies more
than 10,5O0000 acres of land, or more
than is under cultivation by our entire
agricultural population. In view of this
and many other privileges, 1t is but just
to demand that these companies should
obey our laws.
1 do not believe that a corporation or
ganized in New Jersey can be lawfully
used to violate the laws of the sover-
eign state of Minnesota and thWart the
will of the people, SO plainly expressed
in her statutes.
The attempt of the Northern Securities
company to control these properties is
not only in violation of the laws of this
state and the other states in which they
operate but the United States as WELL
Attorney General Knox is quoted as say
ing:
"Some time ago the president requested
an opinion as to the legality OF this
measure and I have recently given him
one to the effect that in my judgment it
violates the provisions of the Sherman
act of 1890. Whereupon he directed that
suitable action should be brought to have
the question finally judicially decided"
I congratulate the people of our state,
of the Northwest and of the entire coun-
try upon the fact that we have in the
presidential chair a man who fearleSsly
is endeavoring to execute the laws. He
is as brave in peace as he was heroic
in war; and for his courageous course
we should pledge him our active and
earnest support.
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