The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-02-08
MESSAGE OF
G0V.VAN SAINT
Chief Executive Reads it to
Joint Session.
TWO THIRDS on TAX REPORT
REMAINING PORTION DEALS WITH
PROPOSED MERGER.
Recon- nj dations on Grain and Yes.
sci Taxation Very Gratifying to
St. Louis County Members.
ST. PAUL, Feb. g.

St. Louis County Members.
ST. PAUL, Feb. g.
The message of Governor Van SAINT
was read this morning by the governor
himself to the two houses of the legis-
lature at 1920 o'clock this morning.
The message consists Of II pages of
typewriter matter, eight of which dea;
with the tax commissions report anu
four Of which are devoted to the mer-
ger
In brief the governors message was
as follows:
Recommends an amendment requir
ing the listing Of grain property in ele-
vators on May l, instead of April /;
and exempting all grain in transit al
though temporarily stored in eleva-
tors.
Recommends vessel tax that will
not hurt the states maritime inter-
ests.
Advocates not postponing the con-
sideration Of the report but meeting the
issue at once.
Opposes the suggestion that the mat
ter of legislation be delayed until the
constitutional limitations be removed
for the reason that there is no assur-
ance that these limitations will ever be
removed.
Doing away with the present system
of taxation whereby, he asserts, the
poorer classes are bearing more of the
taxes in proportion than the wealthy
classes.
Commends the proposed franchise
tax.
Recommends amendment requiring
listing Of property on May 1 instead Of
April i.
The governors recommendations on
grain and vessel taxation are very
gratifying to st. Louis county members.
They express themselves as well satis-
fled with this expression of his views on
these matters.
Mr. Laybourn probably voiced the
sentiment of the delegation when he
said to group Of newspaper men to-
day:
IF the legislature treats us with as
much favor as has the governor, Du-
luth will be greatly pleased. His mes
sage treating on grain and vessel taxa
ton was very fair indeed, and all that
could be asked"
Governors Message in Full.
Following is the text of the mes
TO the Members of the Senate and
House Of Representatives.: Yau have
been called together in extraordinary
session for the purpose of receiving the
report OF the tax commission appointed
pursuant to your enactment at the last
session. and for taking action upon the
measures proposed by the said COM
mission.
1t is a matter of common knowledge
that for many years there has been a
universal demand in our state for
commission clothed with the duty OF
preparing more efficient tax laws.
The creation of Sucn a commission
has long been urged by the public press.
has been recommended by many Of my
by our state auditor, whose duties in
tax matters makes him especially IA
miliar with the defects of our present
tax system.
Your body was practically unanimous
in approving the bill providing for
votes recorded against it, four in the
house and four in the senate. In order
to have the measures proposed by the
commission effective during the pres
commission should Complete it's work
prior to the first Of the present month.
Reason or Extra Session.
In compliance with the law the COM
mission filed it's report, together with
certain proposed measures. In order
and it's measures enacted into law as
soon as possible you adjourned the last
regular session before the constitutional
limitation, in order that the subject
and the measures proposed might be
tional expense to the state.
Owing to the urgent necessity Of
more effective tax legislation it was
tacitly understood that If your general
called together in extraordinary session
Immediately after the report of the
commission. for the purpose Of afford
ing an early opportunity to consider
the measures proposed, and to enact
such laws as you might deem just and
wise. Pursuant to the understanding
stated, and in accord with your pur-
pose, and deeming the work of the
commission most thorough and COM
plete, I issued my proclamation conven-
Pursuant to your enactment the fol-
lowing citizens OF the state were ap-
pointed as tax commissioners to-wit:
Hon: w. J: Hahn, Hon: H: W. Childs.
commission were specifically set out in
the act as follows:
1.-THE duties of said commission shall
be to make tax code for the state Of
Minnesota Such code shall include a.
complete system for the just and equit-
able taxation of all forms of property,
both tangible and intangible, and shall
be properly indexed and prepared in
the form Of bill or bills for presenta-
ton to the legislature. Such code shall
include provisions and permanent tax
commission, and shall define its duties,
powers and compensation. The COM
mission shall also prepare a report and
bill, or bills. providing for any consti-
tutional amendments which may be
necessary for properly carrying out the
system Of taxation recommended by
the commission
Nine Months of Labor.
RealizinE the magnitude Of the task.
and the. limited time prescribed. the
commissioners Immediately commenced
their work upon receiving their, ap-
pointments. For nine months they
1abored incessantly: they visited other
states and familiarized themselves with
the tax laws there in vogue; they also
visited many, portions Of our own state,
~ ILL.,