The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1910-09-10

dustries or the state, or It's immense
commercial interests
The great industries OF Michigan
are equally entitled to just treatment
in the matter or taxation,
I'll.
Minnesota Refused TO Adopt This System
In the State of Minnesota a bill i'm
posing a tonnage tax was vetoed by
Governor Johnosn on April 90. 1909.
in an able message in which he said
that the effect OF such law would be
"to strike severe blow at the deycl
opment and prosperity OF all the great
mineral bearing counties Of Northeast
ern and North Central Minnesota.
affecting alike the agricultural, mann
featuring, commercial, financial ana
educational growth and success, as well
az the settlement. Of all our Northern
lands. both public and private, and
the investment of botn home and
foreign capital therein
In his veto message on this bill Gov
ernor Johnson pointed ont that there
was no urgent need OF any such system,
as the State WAS successfully taxing
mineral properties under the nd yalor
en- system. He justly said that Tax
alton is not for punishment the SOW
erign power Of taxation is not confer
red by the people upon their represen-
tatives for the purpose Of Furnishing
any industry, class Of section The
foundation theory Of taxation is abso-
lutte equality and Justice to the numb
lest and mightiest alike.
Governor Johnson also said that such
a law would work decided disad
vantage to the people possessing low
grade ores and would place an Unfair
and unjust burden upon the smaller
and independent competitors in IN,
newer and less developed section, anC
In many instances would doubtless
result in the latter being compelled {
surrender their properties to the cor
poration which dominates the steel IN
dustry Of the United States
The reasons given by Governor John
son are equally applicable.to the situa
, ton in Michigan II cannot be douh
ted by any one familiar with the fact
{ that the proposed tonnage tax woul
: strike "a severe blow ut the prosperit
I OF not only the copper and iron indus
. tries Of the Upper Peninsula, bu
3 would also have bligbting effect O
Q all it's other interests
. No such tax is imposed on copper an
2 iron properties in any other state !
! the country. IL adopted il would plac
Michigan mine owners at disadyan
! tage with all their competitors.
would. in substance and effect. be-
Q penalty imposed upon the copper an
. iron mining industry in this State
1 and upon the men who have deyelope
Z the resources Of the Upper Peninsula
< Under these circumstances the bur
{ den clearly rests upon those who favo
"A TONNAGE bhA W nhoN Nhat bHe pituoh
I system Of taxation is Inadequate to se
+ cure just and fair taxation OF sue
mining properties, and that the seriou
e objections to a tonnage tax so force
2 fully urged by the late Governor John
: son do not apply to conditions in Mich
b igan. This they cannot do.
Nv.
r Specific Tar system Has Proved Failure
4 The system Of mine taxation whic
. IL is proposed to restore in Michiga
& had thorough trial IN the State bs
= tween the years 1858. when the iro
o and copper mining industries were !
Il their infancy. and 1891. when IL wa
J. abandoned as unwIse aud undesirable
/. From 1891 until now the iron an
copper mining properties have bee
= taxed In the same manner and on n
J. sane basis A. All other property in q
,r state