The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-31
Direct Primaries Sought.

Changes in the political system also
are up for act IN in several common
wealths. four Y which are pledged to
follow the lsafs of Minnesota; III ti as 3
law that wilhe We direct primaries and
scalp party bosses and stifle ring rule
by taking into, their own hands the
matter of picking party candidates. =
The liquor traffic, too, will be an
important part Of the years reforms.
In five states local option laws are to
be presented. Their fate is problemat-
ical, but the fact that they will form
rart Of the legislative grist has led to
the temperance forces in preparation
for fierce battle. s..
The question Of taxation will be
another bone of contention in at least
eight states, and measures are being
prepared that provide for changes in
the revenue system. In Illinois a
fight will be made to make the rail.
roads and other public service corpora
tions pay all state taxes, instead of
propery w ff in 4aasna Of thee @
ha an, attempt to, Dass an act For a
graduated Income tax. ..-..-.,, ~
Reforms; for Wisconsin. '@23
WISCONSIN will keep up its record for
blazing the path to new reforms by
considering bill creating state COM
mission to regulate the rates Aof water,
electric lighting and gas companies, and
to give the railroad commission power
I to regulate the charges of telephone,
! telegraph and street railway companies
and to control. the issue of stocks and
bonds of. 4alI public service. corpora
1 tiOns to keep them from being watered.
! The great live issue Of general in
sterest turnout the general assemblies
OF the west, however, is that dealin e
with the railroad companies. There
are five phases to the question, the
most drastic and important relating to
2reent fares will be fought for Accom-
panying the reduction in fares is a
general movement to abolish the pass
system, and seven states are preparing
to+toll the knell of the ANIMALS with
which the railroads have kept ton the
good side of lawmakers and politicians.
The passage of the pass, it is expected,
will be attended, by bitter contests.
Sixteen western states also are ready
the regulator act passed at the last
session Of congress. These measures
will seek to enlarge the functions of
existing railroad commissions or to
create new ones where none is in vogue.
In general the idea will be to make
the federal statute which is Of inter-
state application, state act to be en-
forced in the boundaries Of the va
rious commonwealth.
Car Shortage "Live" Subject.
In many states, particularly in the
grain and mineral belts, the car short
no
part Of the voters. Eleven general
assemblies will seek remedy for the
evil, the main hope lying in recipro-
cal demurrage act, which will provide
tax of so much. day on railroads
for each day loaded grain car is left
standing On a siding after shipping di-
rections are given.
The most important bill to come be-
fore the Minnesota assembly affects
providing for the creation of a tenn
poraryl tax commission to draft a code
of new tax laws. Railroad measures to
be introduced win provide for 2-cent
fare, the abolition of the pass and the
establishment Of the reciprocal demur.
rage plan. The insurance laws will also
come in for revision.
Railroad questions are to the front in
Nebraska. First attention will be given
cents cent and 70 ee3tead the ep fases Of t. The
railroad commission. This year the re-
publicans are pledged to pass direct
primary law. Insurance bills and rev.
enue amendments will be among other
matters. ~, -, -
Issues in Dakotass a.
Anti pass, 2-cent fare h and primary
election bills will form, the most i ina
portant measures, to be considered by
the South Dakota assembly. One fight
will be to pass the primary election
law as an emergency measure to pre-
vent its going to areferendum, and as
this. can be done only by a ,two-thirds
majority of both houses, a contest, may
develop s'ai.tfff 4
AntirpassslegisIation is promised, and
bills will be sent. in cutting passenger
rates to 2 cents a, mile. AT present,
they run. as: high as Is cents ssin some
sections. as in the Black Hills. Insur-
ance Legislation is not looked for. The
election of Senator Gamble TO succeed
himself is. looked for, aalthosan attempt
IS being made to stir up a fight.
Peculiar eondi tions will confront the
tfeath general assembly gin North Da-
kots There will be al denio cratie e gov-
ernof large republican majority in
Doth houses, and the rep1b licans Utmost
equally divided between the factions
stalWafts' & and "insurg gents. ~ All