The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-04-24
congratulations Of the leading:tax "a.
fhnritiou a& ha

congratulations Of the leading: tar -
thorities of the country =.
Minnesota's success in the TAXATION
of mines is recognized as the most
marked achievement in the progress
of state taxation in recent years. The
progress We have made. we have full
full power to continue to make under
present laws and administration.
Northern Minnesota is Just emerging
from the long depression incident to
the great industrial strike followed
by the presidential election and gen
eral depression of the iron and steel
industry.
To plunge this great section again
at this time into the uncertainty and
depression that are certain to follow
the enactment of this bill and the
almost endless litigation to which it
will give rise not only is not called
for by any present public necessity,
but appears suicidal to the states
progress and prosperity in this crit
zeal period of it's northern develop
ment
Northern Minnesota claims with
some show Of reason that had its coun.
ties a legislative representation based
on Just population apportionment
this bill would never have passed.
Fifty-fve counties Of this state re-
ceive more money from the state treas.
ury than they pay into 1t and it scarce
~ seems possible that these districts
should attempt to impose upon an
other section Of the state q system Of
taxation based upon an inequality.
Such attitude obviously threatens the
state with condition Of section har
tired and prejudice which 10 ominous
to the states future peace. harmony
and progress.
However patriotic and distnterested
In purpose the author and the major.
ity Of the friends OF this measure mag
he the fact remains that the people Of
the northern counties In which our
mineral resources are located, believe
AZ one man that their section and In
dustry are singled out for tax die
elimination and confscation.
Taxation Is not for punishment. The
sovereign power OF taxation is not
conferred by the people upon their rep
resentatives for the purpose Of punish
ing any industry. class or section. The
foundation theory of taxation ID alb
solute equality and Justice to the
humble@t and the mighttest alike.
In its practical operation this btu
as 1t would affect the great mining
corporations, would not, believe,
work out the result designed by the
author Based upon metallic stand
ards entirely, It would be Of advan.
tage to the mining companies now ep-
Grating in the Vermillion and Mesaba
ranges and would work a decided dis
advantage to the people possessing low
grade ores Of the undeveloped proper
ties now In the hands of thousands of
settlers in Aitkin, Beecher. Beltrami,
Cass, Hubbard, Itasca, Morrison, Grow
Wing. Otter Tail, Cobb and Wadena
counties.
Not only would there he discrim-
inntion in favor OF the older and
richer section Of our mineral area. but
1t would place an unfair and unjust
burden upon their smaller and indie
pendent competitors In the new and
less developed section and in many in
stances would doubtless result in the
latter being compelled to surrender
their properties at a sacrifice to that
corporation which dominates the steel
industry of the United States.
The purpose Of taxation is to raise
revenue for the expenses of govern
ment, and on this theory taxes should
be levied on all classes and on all, SEQ.
lions rs nearly alike as may be.
There is no denial of the statement
that this section now pays on valua.
tions greater than other classes of real
estate In other sections Of the state,
and while 1t may be possible, and
doubtless is true that notifications
may be necessary. this can be accom-
plished, as I have already stated. fully
as we'll under the present ad valorefn
system. under the scientific investiga.
ton OF the tax commission. as under
the specific plan proposed in this BILL
and the present plan has this very do.
cided advantage to the state, that the
revenues are definitely determined and
expenditures can be made accordingly,
while under the proposed plan Tiers
would obtain flexibility dangerous
in It's uncertainty, as the revenues
would be more or less as the co71pa,
MES mined, much or little.
believe that the bill, provt ing a.
II does double system Of taxation on
one class Of property. ia wrong in prin,
cip1e and for this and the reasons
above recited herewith return thu
same.
-JNO. A. JOHNSON,
Jeffries viii Fight johnson.