The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-29

Journal They agree that to pass the
bill now, but not to take effect until 1903,
will disarm much of the opposition now so
rampant, and VIII make the success of the
bill much more probable. Those who are
most positive in their stand for the bill
as reported agree that if it cannot go
through to take immediate effect. T b e
J u n a Is idea will be most excellent
alternative, and will in fact be the only
way of getting a fair vote on the consti-
tutional amendments.
This view Of the case is held by two
local members Of the legislature. seen
since yesterdays publication.
Senator S. A. Stockwell, of the forty
second district, whose single tax procliv-
tiles are we'll known, said: q
81 am in favor Of passing the tax bill
at this session, to take immediate effect.
1t does not suit me, but 1t is the best we
can get under the present constitutions. I
do not have much hope of the adoption of
those constitutional amendments. It will
take 100000 votes next fall to pass them,
and every voter who fails to vote on the
proposition votes against them. We will
stand better show Of getting such
amendments If we put that tax law into
effect right away. II we cannot do that,
I would support T b e ] o ur n a rs sug-
gestion as a last resort.
George w. Armstrong, Representative
from the forty fourth district, said:
4 cit is, a question Of policy. i have not
given the tax code the study that intend
to devote to it before the legislature
meets, but from reading it over I am In
clined to favor 1t in nearly its present
FORM If it is a good bill, am in favor
of passing it to take effect at once. II
that cannot be done, I would be inclined
to support The Journal scheme.
think it is imperative that we pass the
bill in some shape at this coming session.
The most valuable part of the bill is one
that would not be changed by the consti-
tutional amendments. I refer to the i'm
taxation. and tax sales. a thing that seems
to have been lest sight of. This one thing,
If passed, will be worth many times the
cost of an extra session"
An "Anti'' Petition Circulated.
The first move in the fight OF the grain
interests Of this city against the tax bill
was made this morning. Pressure is to
be brought upon the Hennepin county
members and an effort made through
them to block final action on the tax bill
at the coming special session, and to carry
it over to the next regular session. A
petition addressed to the Hennepin county
delegation was circulated on change this
morning. The petition bears no signs OF
being Chamber of Commerce petition,
nor is it SO understood. None of the off,
GERS Of the chamber has signed 1t off,
5cially, nor does the name of the cham
Der appear anywhere on 1t. It is de-
signed to express the sentiment of the
grain trade. individually and collectively
About, $50 signatures were received up to
noon. The petition reads as follows:
To the Members of the Legislature from
Hennepin County-The undersigned agree
with the final conclusion of the commission
that "the amendment of the tax provisions
of the constitution should be early effected.
In the present form they are an insuperable
obstacle to prompt legislation Until the
constitution is amended the undersigned be-
lieve it unwise to experiment with new
and confessedly imperfect system of taxa
ton. We also believe that the people should
have more time in which to study and under
stand the proposition We therefore respect
fully request that you use your efforts to
postpone action until the next regular session
of the legislature.