The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-03-25
Senate Is Said to be Favorable to
the Measure and Will Probably
Endorse it
STEEL TRUST ALARMED
Joseph B. Cotton, its Attorney, Re.
signs-FaCt Is Considered
Significant

Especial 20 The fierald)
ST. PAUL, March 24.-It is not at all
improbable that the ore mined in
Minnesota in 1909 will be taxed on a
tonnage basis. While the bill barely
squeezed through the house it is the
general opinion in the state capitol
that public sentiment in it's favor is
growing. With that public sentiment
senators seeking reelection or ambi-
tious for even higher honors, and
there are not few, are believed to be
keeping in close touch. On this as
sumption the passage of the Bjorge
bill is freely predicted, and the sim
cere advocates of it, and there are
quite number of them i'm that body.
are inclined to be jubilant over the
prospect.
1t is now pointed out that a major
ity of the democratic representatives
in the house were among the support
ers of the Bjorge bill, although some
of them had been counted upon as be-
ing certainly opposed to it and are
represented as having pledged them
selves to the ST. Louis delegation to
aid in it's defeat While by some their
change of heart is, attributed to the
: persistent campaign for the tonnage
tax made by Representatives Fitzpat-
rick of Olmstead and Carley of Waba-
sha, it is now alleged that where OBJ
stacles were met they appealed to the
kitchen cabinet to bring pressure to
bear upon wayering members and did
not appeal in vain. The assertion is
made, and it finds ready credence,
that the prevailing democratic atti-
tude was due quite as much to de-
sire on the part of those high in the
confidence of the governor to get even
with leading officials of the steel trust,
who made an active and effective cam
paign in St. Louis county against
Governor Johnson as to determine
tion to carry out the promises made
in the democratic platform.
Some surprise is expressed in ST.
Paul at the announcement made hard
on the heels of the passage of the tom
mage tax bill ilf the house that Joseph
, B. Cotton has resigned his position as
attorney for the United States Steel
corporation, and there is an inclina-
tiou to consider these events in con-
nection. Mr.. Cotton has for some
years been the political agent of the
steel trust, and is believed to- have
planned its legislative campaign this
year and to have prepared the brief
presented against the tonnage tax bill
on behalf of the St. Louis delegation
by Mr.. Congdon.. Evidently, people
say, the steel trust have no further
use for political agent who has prov
ed incapable of manipulating legisla-
tive body which he was given carte
blanche to control.
1t Is not yet known who will have
charge Of the tonnage tax bill in the
senate, but it is believed the choice
lays between Senators Gunderson and
Clague, both OF whom possess in a high
degree the confidence and respect of
the membership of that body. Neith-
er of them has exhibited partisanship,
and democrats who favor the tonnage
tax would be glad of the opportunity
to cooperate with them.
The senate. by a narrow margin has
decided to establish a normal school at
Cass Lake, and the measure is up in
the house, which has, already express
ed itself in favor of that village, for
final action. The opponents claim
that they will beat the bill, having re-
cruited their strength since the last
vote was taken. / doubt this. The
only change | have heard of is in Cass
Lakes favor. This Cass Lake bill is
in charge of couple 1of the shrewdest
politicians at the capitol, and / feel