Morris tribune., 1907-01-19
THE CORPORATIONS BECOMING ACTIVE
Minnesota Reforms May Strong Opposition in
the senate--Some Bills Discussed.
lBy LYNN HArNEs, St. Paul Correspondent. ]

and Senate were announced Tuesday.
The following are the assignments for
the 57th district.
Senator Canestorp Engrossment,
General Legislation, Indian Affairs
Chairman, logs and lumber, public
accounts and expenditures, pIolic
parks, state public schools, state pris-
on, towns and counties.
Representative Bicknell- judiciary,
crimes and punishments (chairman,)
taxes and tax laws, claims, express
telegraph and electric railways, hospi-
tails for insane, military affairs.
Representative Spooner-Drainage,
judiciary, municipal legislation, rail-
roads Chairman, state prison and re-
formatory, state school at Owatonna
and agricultural school, taxes and tax
laws.
The combines are much in the mind
of the legislature. The prepara Jon
, and introduction of. bills of anti-c COR
poration character continue in steady
stream. This is particularly true in
the House. In that body there ap-
pears to be an almost fanatical inclina
tion to reform and remedy everyt ling
at one full sweep. There can bt no
question about the success of sas-
ures that the people want so far this
body is concerned. But of the Senate,
there cannot be such certainty regard
ing continuance of it's anti-corpor-
alton complexion.
In the Senate there is evidence of
a resurrection of the old machine that
dominated that branch. Many of the
old manipulators who were prominent
at the previous session were summar-
lily sat upon by the people last Novem-
/ Der. but a nucleus either remained or
were returned to the Senate, and the
/ influence which ''moved" the old
| machine is now more active and lavish
/ than before An attempt is being
made to reorganize the Senate in the
would hardly seem possible with pub
lie sentiment so uncompromisingly for
reform. Even though this part of the
legislature should return to its old hab-
it's of arrogance and Indifference to the
public needs and desires, there are a
| few good laws which they will not
care to assassinate. Among these are
| the anti pass bill, and the two-cent
! fare measure.
| About the greatest measure to come
before the session will be the attempt
to make the great mining interests OF
| the state pay their just share of taxes.
Where the commonwealth is entitled
to millions from its iron ore, it now
derives only thousands of dollars.
One of the bills on this subject in the
House, would, if it became law, add
about $6 200, 900 to the tax total from
this source. A great fight is certain
on this proposition, and the contest
may become extremely one sided, for
the steel trust is vitally interested
Here again it will be we'll to watch the
Senate.
Representative BicknelPs bill is
causing considerable comment. He
proposes an income tax law. It would
provide for tax of one percent on all
salaries or incomes which exceed So ,00C
year. If the income reaches $4,000
the tax would be two percent, and on
all incomes of $4,000 or over a tax of
three per cent would be imposed. This
measure will meet with strong oppo-
. sition from the rich fellows, and may
fail of passage, but it is in line with the
general tendency of legislation mani
| fest in the house. There seems to be
desire on the part of every represen-
| tative to outdo his neighbor in submit
| ting something for the benefit of the
common people. But the classes will
have their innings in the Senate.
In the awful avalanche of tax pro-
positions in the House it seems that
not even dogs will escape. There is
reason for this opinion in the fact
that the cenines will have no opul-
ent lobby TO see that the laws affect
ing them are either killed or made
lenient as possible. Representative
Bjorge has introduced dog tax BILL It
is rather novel and probably will meet
no opposition of killing character.
The measure is unique in that it pro-
vides for free Pasteur Institute and
imposes dog tax for its support.
The tax on dogs is placed at two dol
lars year and on the female variety
the tax tribute is one third more. |
About one fourth of this tax will go !
directly for the maintenance of the |
Pasteur institution. Mr.. Bjorje is well |
equipped with data on this subject
and knows to practical certainty the