The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-07

Governor Van SAINT read his second in I
augural message this morning to the
m embers of the legislature, assembled in
joint session In the hall Of the house of
The session opened at
1890, following a brief session Of each
house, Speaker Babcock presided. !
The message, which appears in full on
another page, was listened to with the
closest attention. The governor read it
in his usual earnest, rapid style, with a
vigor that showed he~neant every word
he said. - p -
The governors strongest points were on
the gross earnings law and the railway
merger, in which he spoke in no uncertain
tones. declaring the Northern Securities
company IAN ingenious scheme to foster
monopoly and stihe competition" He
asks the legislature to pass such legisla-
ton as the attorney general will submit,
looking to the removal of obstacles in the
way Of litigation,
% "Resubmit the"4 per cent gross earnings
law Is another keynote of the message,
and one which means much for the legis-
latfve session. Loyalty to the governor
unquestionably means support of this
measure. AS to its form, the governor is
inclined to favor the present method of
division Of interstate earnings, providing
it is held to be legal.
AS to Tax Reform.
AS 10 C<th ISlOIIll, lle IllcSSdSe dCcS 1lot
encourage any general tax legislation at
this session, profiting by past experience.
He does want the constitutional amend
ment resubmitted, giving opportunity
hereafter to levy an income tax.
In order to pass these amendments, the
governor recommends a new law for print
ing them on separate ballots, and sepa-
rate ballot box for depositing them.
The primary election law, which is
bound to be another serious problem, is
tackled boldly in the message. The gov
ernor favors its retention but with
amendments. He would change the time
Of holding, and limit the time for filing
to thirty days before the primaries. He
would also require independent candidates
to come out before instead of after the
primaries He favors printing all the
names on one ballot, as under the orig.
inal Minneapolis law instead of requir
ing the voter to call for the ballot of hi!
party. -r
Considerable time in reading was de
voted to the board of control system
which the governor upholds and defends
He only recommends one change, the di
vorce Of educational institutions from tn
boards jurisdiction, as is done in othe
states.
.H. Babcock Avows Loyalty.
The opening Of the joint session wa
marked by a dramatic incident. Whel
Governor Van SAINT advanced to thu
speakers desk to take the oath Speake
Babcock greeted him in the following
language: =. -.
II believe T voice the sentiments Of tn
104 republicans in this house when sa
that we will give the, governor our fulles
support for any and all measures he ma
present to US along the lines enunciate
in the republican platform Of last ia
and which enabled him to roll up a ma
GRITTY Of $4,000 even in an off year -
The pledge was received with applaus
which increased In volume as the COY
ernor rose to his feet. On his right 81
the speaker Of the house; on his lef
Lieutenant Governor Ray w. Jones. f
raised his right hand and, with bowe
head, took the oath Of office admin:
tered by Chief Justice Start.
The hall Of representatives was packe
when his excellency began to read h
message. Men stood in the rear of tt
gallery unable to find seats. Many won
en-, also, were In the crowd. 15~.
The reading occupied an hour, aft
which the joint session adjourned, Val
the two houses resumed their deliber
lions, which consisted chiefly of adjour
ments. e.,