The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-16

The publication in T he Clio b e
yesterday of the practical results TO
the state treasury which would fol-
low the operation of the jacobson 4
per cent gross earnings law, created
CONSERVATION among the Republican
leaders, and especially the members of
the Republican state central commit
tee.
At the conference held on Sunday,
which was attended by Gov. Van SAINT,
Senators Nelson. Congressman Eddy
and other leaders of the party, the pro-
posed jacobson law was discussed. The
administration leaders have been max
ing the increase in the gross earnings
tax one of the particularly strong
cards during the campaign and the
stump speakers, from Gov. Van SAINT
down, have been dilating on the Won
derful financial results to the state
which would follow the operation Of
the proposed law.
Some of the more blatant henchmen
of the administration have been shout
ing from the stump that II the amend
ment to the constitution should carry
there would be no need in a few years
to make any levy for state taxes, as the
amount paid by the railroad compa-
uies would be sufficient to meet all the
state expenses.
At the conference Sunday afternoon
Senator Nelson gave the governor and
his followers a severe jolt by announc-
Ing that the proposed law was a bad
botch" and the best thing to do under
the circumstances was to come out
boldly and admit that there had been
a mistake made, and that the per
cent gross earnings law, If put in op-
Grafton, would decrease instead of in
creasing the state revenues.
Wanted to Keep 1t Quiet.
This proposition was voted down,
the governor and his most ardent ad-
mirers agreeing that 1t would be talk
Ing desperate chances at this stage
Of the campaign to admit that one of
their strongest campaign arguments
was wrong. The stand taken by Gov.
Van SAINT was indorsed, and 1t was
agreed to keep the thing quiet as
matter of political expediency, the
word to be passed to the stump
speakers to quit making the gross
earnings proposition the leading mat
ter of debate.
Wher The Glob exposed the
scheme yesterday things were decid-
edly warm about the Republican state
committee headquarters, and the long
distance phones and telegraph wires
were worked vigorously all day.
at know how the thing leaked out"
said one of the inside workers, "and it
l. II nNnn0fn6 w
there are men who, while pretending
to be for Want SAINT, are really opposed
to him and are doing all they can to
beat him. If 1 had my way 1 would
tell these fellows to go and train with
the Democrats and would give them
40 opportunity to carry information"
jacobson Doesn't Answer.
a telegram was sent early in the day
to Jacobson asking him for state
nnent which would put a better light
on the proposition. Up to 6 o'clock
last evening no word had been received
from the Lac qui Parle statesman.
This did not prevent inquiries being
made every five minutes of Secretary
Wheelock, "HaVe you heard from ia
cobson yet?'
Attorney General Douglas was also
out of the city, and wire was at once
forwarded to Adam Bede's headquar-
eers with view of locating the chief
Of the state legal department. Mr..
Douglas was supposed to be some
where in the vicinity of Sandstone do
Ing the best he could for Adam Bede
and the head of the state ticket.
Judge Jamison had long talk over
the telephone with Judge Ira B. Mills,
chairman of the state railroad and
warehouse commission, and endeavored
20 get that official to come to the front
with some kind of an explanation
which would relieve the governor and
The leaders Of the administration from