The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-04-16


that the governor appoint the State
auditor, the secretary of State and
one practical farmer as members of the
highway commission. This commits
sion was to have general supervision OF
the road work in the State, and the
bill provided an annual tax levy of one
twentieth of mill for a State road
fund. Roads built under the act were
to be paid for by the State county and
township in equal proportions.
A highway commission bill has been
favorably reported by. the senate in
committee of the whole. The bill pro.
vides for commission of three to be
appointed by the governor and to serve
for term of three years without
salary. They will be allowed travel
ing expenses and may appoint a secre-
tary who will receive not more than
81, 300 year. The duties of the COM
missioners are to investigate and de-
termine the location of road material
in the State, to ascertain the most i'm
proved methods of construction by in
quiring into the laws and systems of
other states and to hold at least thirty
public meetings throughout the State
annually for the purpose of dissemin-
ating the knowledge thus attained.
The commission will examine applica-
lions for aid in the construction of
roads by county commissioners. If the
plans submitted are approved, the COM
mission may authorize the county to
let the contract to the lowest bidder.
One-third of the cost will be paid by
the State, for which State tax of 1-2O
of mill is provided.
The ''wide-open' taxation amend
ment by the house, will not be recon-
mended by the senate judiciary COM
mittee, but has reported new meas
ure. It is framed on the restriction
plan, allowing with many limitations
the taxation of incomes, franchises,
mortgages, gross earnings, credits and
inheritances. The original bill called
the "Wide-open' taxation amendment,
allowed the Legislature to adopt any
scheme of taxation, provided that the
tax on the same classes of property is
equal, that religious and educational
institutions are exempt and that the
power of taxation is never surrendered
AS amended by the committee, the bill
makes possible gross earnings tax on
corporations, co-partnerships and per-
sons holding franchise, provided that
the tax is apportioned among the State,
counties and municipalities in which
the franchise is exercised. It author
ICES a transfer tax, not exceeding 10
per cent, on the estates of decedents,
which may be graded. progressive, Or
both; registry tax on real estate
mortgages in lieu of all other taxes on
the property secured by the mortgage:
a tax not exceeding 10 per cent on the
income of credit and personal property,
and of not more than per cent on the
income of corporations above the sum
of So 900, not arising from the income
of property. The bill exempts public
burying grounds, school houses, hos
pitfalls, libraries, colleges, academies,
seminaries and churches, and personal
property, not exceeding $500, of each
individual.
The bill of Representative Bowling
providing for partisan judicial NOM
nations passed the house last week by
a narrow margin.
Ruelifson's dog license bill, applying
only to country towns and villages, was
again defeated by vote of 40 ayes to
81 noes.
The senate defeated the anti-vaccin-
nation bill last Friday, the vote being
q to %. The bill caused a hot discus
sion.
The house bill to create State board
of corrections and charities was killed
by the committee on general legisla-
ton.
The house has passed Representa-
tive w. A. Nolan's bill making the
commission merchants bond law apply
| to dealers in live stock.
Representative Lightly's bill author
izing the issuance of warehouse certif-
Gates on packing house products was
also passed.
Representative Nyquist of Blue
Earth county has succeeded in rescuing
his road appropriation bill from indef-
mite postponement, when the commit
tee on appropriations reported it with
that recommendation. On his motion
the bill was placed on general orders
The bill appropriations $4,000, and
gives each county in the State $1,000
for road and bridge purposes.
The omnibus appropriation was in
| trOduced into both houses Tuesday