The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-01-04

Soe WAO Cau VCAs Lie ICCd1CAIIdlt
Legislature of 1895, which Governor
Olson cannot organize to his liking in
either branch, may kick him into the
leadership Of a new third party by re-
fusing to do his bidding. There are
those who think that the hour Is at
hand for new ruling party and they
are looking for a head man. Or the
Legislature of 1895, dominated by in
dependent progresSives, may repeat the
experience of 1905 and enact notable
mass Of liberal legislation. If it does,
it will not get the credit for it. Floyd
B. Olson will be the crusading hero of
1t all, and BarkiS 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 to become
one of the burning issues of the Legis-
lature of 1885.
Two years ago Secretary of State,
Mike Holm, won the plaudits of the
people by recommending a fifty per
cent cut in the automobile 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
Legislature at the proper time. But it
is good bet that Mike remembers how
pleasant was the praise of the people
two years ago. Figure it out for your
self. You can hardly miss.
The story runs that Mike Holm and
Commissioner OF Highways, Elsberg,
We're 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 Com
missioner of Highways. Poison, that's
what I'd like to mix for YOU" well"
smilingly countered the genial Sec
rotary of State, "I'll drink anything you
give me-" It was all in fun, of course.
but certainly Mike Holm's recommends
ton in 1888 was poison to the high
way department.
It was Mike Holm and the people
of the state on one side in 1888 and
Governor Olson and Commissioner
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. In response to popular demand,
the Legislature of 1888 sharply cut the
road tax, and in response to popular
demand the same Legislature tremend-
ously increased the state trunk highway
mileage. More roads and less money
to build them and care for them.
This is situation that cannot con-
tinue 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 re-
stored January LIST. The reduction of
1888 was temporary and has expired.
The Legislature of 1885 will have to do
something in hurry if it wants to see
any money flowing into the Golfers of
the highway department, but the sharp
and prolonged fight of 1888 seems likely
to be repeated.
Drivers License Again in Spot Light.
The administration of the new
Drivers License law aroused a great
deal of criticism in the 1884 campaign
and there wasn't much that the state
administration could say about it.
Evidently the administration thinks
that where there is so much smoke of
talk there may be some fire Of action.
The talk is that an attempt will be
made to transfer the drivers license
division to the Secretary of State and
join it with the motor license division.
Just to be on the safe side. the ad-
ministration the other day paid Friend
Ward, the landlord to the drivers Ii
cense division, six months rent in ad-
vance.
Legislative FlOtsam
Many veteran Senators, whom Cover
nor Olson promised to campaign
against, are back again. The Governor
kept his promise, but he wasn't as sue
cessful talking against others as he was
talking for himself. These veteran
Senators will be powerful influence
in the Legislature of 1885.
An exceptionally large number OF
veteran House members will me missing
from the Legislature of 1885, but un-
usually strong men have been elected to
take their places. Several new mem
beers Of 1888 have shown exceptional
ability, and the new crop this year is
generally regarded as considerably
above the average.
Senate and House will organize on
Tuesday, the first day, with every in
dication that the independent pro-
gressives will control both bodies. The
Governor win deliver his message on
| Wednesday.
Governor Olson's first message, in
t1sSi,. was very .apateurish, very much
. school boy eit ott .fetrasng the fact
that he had had little: experience Oh
knowledge of..state: affairs. His .aes-
sage IN 1888 'was. . somp1ekensiys :s,ate
paper, and the message this year is
| awaited with keen interest A r,oliti