The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1935-01-03

ScSSion DeIOre some Representative
or Senator rises in his place and
takes occasion to declare that "this
Is undoubtedly the most Inn.
portant session o fthe Legislature
in the history of the state"
Many are already thinking this
of the Legislature of 1885. It will
sit at critical time in the history
Of the state. The distress OF the
people, arising out Of the depres,
sion, is still acute. What can the
Legislature do to relieve or better
conditions? An extraordinary con.
dition exists in a deficit Of more
than $4,000 900. What Is the Legis-
lature going to do about that?
Taxes on real property, both tax
payers and politicians are agreed
are a crushing paralyzing burden,
A weller Of remedies is proposed
some definite and enthusiastically
backed; others more vague and
more uncertainty put forward. Can
the Legislature pick one. or a half
dozen, that will better the condition
OF the people? The necessity for
certain social reforms, like old age
pensions and unemployment in
surance, Is generally conceded.
Will the Legislature be able to
draft wise measures dealing with
these reforms, and where will 1t
get the money to finance them?
There are other pressing prob
lens. The Legislature Of 1885 will
be a most important Legislature in
deed If it acquits itself creditably
of very few of the great issues
it will be called upon to meet.
But to stamp on the title page
Of any legislative session the
words "the most important in the
history of the state" is risky
business. Minnesota has had some
epoch-making Legislatures in the
past. The one that came in with
Governor John A. johnson, for in
stance, enacted so much liberal
legislation that it almost made that
soft spoken Democrat from St
Peter a President Of the United
States.
Before November 9Th perhaps
Floyd B. Olson had cooperative
commonwealth dreams which the
Legislature Of 1885 might realize
for him and make him revolution
airy presidential timber. That
dream Is over for the present. But
who can tell? The recalcitrant
Legislature Of 1885, which Cover
nor Olson cannot organize to his
liking in either branch may kick
him in the leadership of new
third party by refusing to do his
bidding. There are those who think
that the hour is at hand for a new
ruling party and they are looking
for head man. Or the Legislature
of 1885, dominated by independent
progressives, may repeat the ex-
perience Of 1905 and enact a no
table mass Of liberal legislation. If
it does, it will not get the credit
for it. Floyd B. Olson will be the
crusading hero Of it ALL and Bar
kis was not more willing than is
the Governor.
More ROads-Less Money
An important problem though far
less important than many others,
the motor vehicle tax promises 70
become one Of the burning issues
Of the Legislature of 1885.
Two years ago Secretary Of
State, Mike Holm, won the plaud-
its of the people by recommending
a fifty per cent cut in the automo-
bile license tax. Mr.. Holm has a
recommendation up his sleeve this
year, also, but he refuses to say
what it is. He will tell the Legisla-
ture at the proper time. But It is
a good bet that Mike remembers
how pleasant was the praise Of the
people two years ago. Figure it out
for yourself. You can hardly miss.
The story runs that Mike Holm
and Commissioner Of Highways
Elsberg, were at a party recently.
Mike came in at the refreshment
hour and the host said to Elsberg,
mix one for Mike" do you know
what I'd like to mix for you,
Mike" said the Commissioner Of
Highways. Poison. that's what I'd
like to mix for you." WELL" smil-
ingly countered the genial Secre-
tary Of State, "I'll drink anything
you give me-" It was all in fun, Of
course, but certainly Mike Holml
recommendation in 1888 was poison
to the highway department.
It was Mike Holm and the peo-
pie Of the state on one side in 1888
and Governor Olson and Commits
sioner Elsberg on the other. The
people were determined to have a
substantial cut in road taxes then,
and they got it. Apparently they
are Just as determined now.
It is rather sorry dilemma the
state is in. I'm response to popular
demand, the Legislature of 1888
sharply cut the road tax, and in
response to popular demand the
same Legislature tremendously in
creased the state trunk highway
mileage. More roads and less mon
ey to build them and care for
them.
This is a situation that cannot
continue indefinitely, but there now
seems no question of the temper Of
the people. They want the motor
vehicle license tax cut to continue
and they do not want an increase
in the gas tax.
The old rates were automatically
restored January 1st- The reduc-
ton Of 1888 was temporary and has
expired. The Legislature of 1885
will have to do something In hur-
ny If II wants to see any money
flowing into the Golfers Of the
highway department. but the shar
and prolonged fight Of 1888 seems
likely to be repeated.