The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1915-04-29
LEGISLATORSHA HAVE
TREKED BACK Home
PEOPLE OF THE STATE ARE
THANKFUL THAT SESSION
WAS NO WORSE.
SEVERAL GOOD LAWS ENACTED
OF STATE WILL
HAVE BOUND LAWS READY
MAY THE 18TH.
Especial to Sank Centre Herald.)

| Especial to Sank Centre Herald.)
St. Paul, April 27-Not for more
than two years will there be a gath
ering of political talent in the halls
of the Minnesota Legislature. The
Thirty-ninth session has passed into
history, leaving behind it mass of
new laws and the debris of others.
Calmness reigns in the marble Cap
itol
"Neer saw !, never felt, calm so deep.
| The river glldeth al his own sweet will;
Dear God! The very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
| There you have poetic sentiment
that expresses the feeling permeating
the Capitol walls. No more is heard
the ponderous voice of A. F. Teigen,
gone is the frown of L. c. Spooner,
no more is heard the argumentative
George Sullivan, and no longer may
be seen the semi-Greek profit of E.
E. Lobeck. The solons have returned
to their homes. Some of them for
good and others viii probably be seen
again and again in the Legislature.
What they have done in many ways
| is to their credit. To pick out the
most important piece of legislation
affected at the session just closed
would be difficult. Opinions will diff
| fer
There is one thing that should ap-
peal strongly to Minnesota people and
that is the reduction of almost mill
in the general revenue tax accom-
plished by the latest body of Iawmak-
ers.
The taxpayers will hear with delight
that the solons cut the maximum tax
levy for state revenue for two years
from 2.3 to IA mills. This was ac-
complished by holding down the ap-
preparations in the face of demands
by most of the state departments.
The total appropriations for the next
two years will total $17,910,OOO as
against $19,O94,168 for the session of
1913 and $17,662,30S in 1911.
In view of the increased demands
on the people for state activities this
cut might be said to be remarkable
WIFI ~ 10 ICiHClllUCICO IHdI Ltc LIZ
mills levy is the lowest since the ses-
sion of 1909.
Most of the cutting down in max
ing up the appropriations bills was in
eliminating new buildings at state
institutions. While consideration was
given to the institutions, the Legisla-
ture attempted to supply only actual
needs. That such an attempt was i'm
perative can well be given foundation
in figures. Since 1166 the state has
expended up to July 31,1914 for new
state buildings the sum of $27,317,S85
When pause is made and it is realized
that of this amount, $14,513,262, or
more than half has been spent in the
last ten years, there is no wonder that
the people throughout the state cried
for economy.
The budget system inaugurated by
this session of the Legislature is an
other accomplishment that will prob
ably be applauded. The plan is sim
liar to the New York system. 1t will
compel the various heads of depart
ments to make up their money needs
for the biennial and submit them to
the governor. Before the session con-
venes hereafter the states officers
will meet in council and attempt to
minimize the amount to be asked for.
When the solons convene they will
have before them comprehensive
plan showing what each department
needs and the total amount needed
for running the state during the fol-
lowing two years.
The Minette telephone bill is an
other most important measure adopt
ed by the 1915 session.
1t is a step forward toward state
control of public utilities. Under this
law the Railroad and Warehouse COM
mission will have charge of the tele-
phone companies of the state. This
sort of control has been found to work
acceptably to the people regarding
railroads.
The commission is given power to
grant or refuse licenses or new ex-
changes. 1t may fix rates for local
and toll messages. The most impor-
tant part of the law, from the stand
point of the people, was probably that
giving the commission power to COM
pei physical connection on toll lines
between competing companies. This
will enable the farmer on line that
does not connect with st. Paul, say
for instance, to get his toll connection