The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-05

Opponents Of the jacobson tax bill came
to the capitol this morning with confident
faces. They claimed forty out OF the
It's friends were still hopeful. BY some
much needed amendments, they expected
to control the tax committee and bring
the bill before the house in an unobjec-
tionable shape.
But the opposition sprung a surprise
in the tax committee. Senator Snyder
presented the amendments there, but they
were not even considered, and by vote
Of 9 to 4 the bill was recommended for
indefinite postponement. The amend
ments struck off the tonnage tax feature
and provided that franchises should be
valued on the same basis as other prop
erty. By the action Of the committee,
however, these amendments could not
even be brought before the senate.
At II 80 Senator McGill, as chairman OF
the committee, made the report. He was
minority member, but as chairman had
to speak for the committee. He said
nothing. but presented the formal re-
port.
Senator Snyder then presented the mi
nority report, which was read from the
clerks desk as follows:
Mr. Snyder, from the committee on taxes
and tax laws. and speaking for the minority
thereof, respectfully reports that they hav:
carefully considered II. F. 6e and are Of the
opinion that the bill as it reads does not
provide thoroughly equitable method for
| the taxation of mines and public service cor
portations, as composed with the method OF
| taxing all property in this state; but are OF
the opinion that the bill can be amended SO
| that it will be desirable bill to pass, and
respectfully, recommend that H. F.. Sc be
! placed on general orders without recon-
| mendation.
A Famous Debate.
The debate that followed was one of the
greatest in the history of the present
senate. 1t was practically handled by the
friends of the bill. Senator Snyder spoke
very briefly for the minority report. He
only asked fair consideration for the
bill and an opportunity to present amend
ments. Senators Young and Mccarthy
arraigned their fellow republicans in the
senate and predicted that the people
would repudiate them if they defeated The
bill. Senator Young went into the figure.
presented by the street railway compan,
and argued that on that showing the.
were paying taxes on only ne-eighth o
their property. Senator Mccarthy sail
he realized the discussion would do n
good and that the fate of this bill settle
the fate of the progressive tax legisla
ton for this year. Senator snydes said
! do not desire to take much of the time q
the senate in advocating this minority re
port. The senators have probably alread
made up their minds; and I believe coul
, not change single vote. All the minorit
:, report asks is that the bill be placed upo
| general orders. The vote for indefinite pos
, ponement was decisive, 9 to 4; and I unde,
stand the committee is unit against the pre
posed tonnage tax on iron ore On othe
features we are divided. However, the mir
GRITTY believes that the bill can be 80 amend
r ed as to make it worthy Of passage; and "
ask that It be received.
Senator Young said the people of til
state would demand an explanation If tt
senate should decline even to consider tt
only tax bill that had reached it durlr