The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-04
BOWLING FAVORS IT
SPEAKER SAYS NEW TAX LAW
IS, ON THE WHOLE,
GOOD
THE PEOPLE ARE BEHIND 1T
Certain Amendments Must BE Made,
but the Bill Will Pass-ODposi-
ton Not Strong Enough
to Kill 1t.


''Well, this looks, like old times" said
Speaker M. j. Bowling as he walked into
the Windsor hotel and saw little groups
OF legislators, the advance guard of the
extra session, huddled together in corners
whispering mySteriously and as If mat
tiers of grave import were on their mind.
The members are at least greatly inter-
eSted in this proposed legislation, for I
never saw them discuss any question
with greater earnestness.
''As to this tax law" said Mr.. Bowling,
i am no pessinlist, and I am heartily
IN favor Of 1t despite the many objec-
tons raised against it. Furthermore L
feel sure that it Is backed by the great
bulk of the people, and it Will pass, with
certain necessary amendments. do not
think there is the slightest danger Of Its
being wholly defeated.
There are many legitimate criticisms.
and these we must take up and discuss
and settle fairly. 1 am sure that neces-
sary amendments can be readily agreed
upon, and a few points upon which we
cannot all agree will be so compromised
as not to endanger the bill.
Il have travelled q. great deal through
out the rural districts of Minnesota, and
am free to say that the great
majority of the people like the bill and
hope to see it pass. Here and there GER
$1,000 SAANASAA9AAAfo
just. but for the bill itself, few people
want to see it entirely killed off, I be-
heve the opposition is not nearly so COM
mon, nor so fierce as has been made out
1.-The people all believe that the BILL
whatever its faults, will be an improve
ment on our present system. present de-
fectS they are well aware of. Every
town assessor knows only too well how
unevenly the burden Of taxation is dis
re
teamSteF in, a certain Minnesota town
being taxed twice as much as another
resident Of that same town who was
worth 100000. And this is by no means
the exception. 1t is so common that peo-
pie are tired of 1t, and willing to risk
an experiment in their hope for some
thing better.
THE new law has faults, several I'M
portant ones. These will be remedied
Since the report was published L have
been studying it carefully. In addition
L have written to a great many county
auditors asking their opinion of the Bill
They are the men who will put the law
in operation and they are in the best
position to judge Of the practicability of
the various provisions. The replies /
have received are very interesting and
valuable and will assist us in arriving at
a just conclusion in regard to the whole
mission should have comprised five mem
bers, two county auditors, one from tne
large cities, one from the country, in adj
dition to the three lawyers. Ihe two
auditors could have pointed out several
little mistakes which have crept into the
bill
much of the opposition to the bill is
honest criticism, and must be respected
and acted upon fairly. Much Of that op-
position, which insists on the total de-
feat Of the measure, is a selfsn oppose
ton backed by men who hope to escape
bearing their just burden Of the public
tax.
Il think the members are ready to get
down to business and I am not in favor
Of wasting any. time 1t is q big ques-
ton and. cannot be. disposed of hurriedly,
but it can be taken up with elaboration
and remedied where needed without the
waste Of much time. 1 do not expect to
see much general legislation proposed
The tax law is important enough to en-
gross the attention Of the legislature for
several weeks