Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 13, 1908, Page 2

A HE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER PUBLISHED MVERY AFTHRNOON, BEMIDII PIONEER PUBLISHING CO. By CLYDE J._PRYOR. Watered in the postofiice at Bemidjl. Minn., a8 second class matter. SUBSCRIPTION---$5.00 PER ANNUM RUNAWAYS KILL TWO. Man and Girl Victims of Accidents in Minneapolis. Minneapolis, Oct. 1)—Miss Carella Roosen, aged seventeen, is dead from injuries which she suffered when she was thrown from a spirited horse she was riding. The horse was a Texas pinto and became frightened and threw his rider heavily to the pave- ment. When she was examined at the hospital it was found that her skull W fFactured and that there. were ‘other serious injuries, i . Bdward C. Kelly, & teamstet, w instantly killed in a runaway agéldent which occurred on Penn avenue nortb. He was dashed from his team and met such injuries that death followed at once, BATTLE ON LAKE SUPERIOR American Fishermen Fight Canadian Officials. i Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Oct. 1).—A SCHMAHL Wil BE GIVEN BIG VOTE. In his candidacy for secretary of state, Julius A. Schmahl should re- ceive the united support of the people of northern Minnesota. Mr. Schmahl, as a member of the Min- nesota State Board of Immigration, has always been zealous in his efforts to develop the state’s resources and demonstrate to the outside world that the North Star state is leading the Union as a farming and dairying state and an ideal clime in which to reside. Northern Minnesota is re- ceiving much very favorable mention at the hands of Secretary Schmahl, and he will undoubtedly be given a record-breaking endorsement at the polls in November as recognition for his excellent work in behalf of this north country. CAUSTIC COMMENT. (A. G. Rutledge.] The Prohibitionists also are in favor of the Water Way. It must be a sad thing to be a ghost and have everybody afraid of you. It would surprise the average young man to know how many peo- ple say the girl he marries is throw- ing herself away. A New York man, sick in bed, has inherited $10,000,000. His physician will now find it necessary to visit him at least twice a day. There’s this to say in favor of the man who tells his troubles: He does not tell the troubles this year he told of last year. He hosn’t got them, Some one has written a play called “The Lucky Rich.” Perhaps it refers to those whose automo- biles get away after striking a pedestrian. The announcement that five Har- vard men “cheated death” should arouse President Eliot, who is a stickler for honest college sport, to make a searching investigation. When a man will not allow other people to persuade him to do things that will lose money, time and repu- tation for him the others spread the report that he has a contrary dispo- sition. Even if all other avenues of ambi- tion are closed to you, you may so conduct yourself that in your town they will have a by-word, "‘As mean as Old So-and-so,” with you in the title role. The course of true love is smooth compared with the rough time Ibe noc- racy I8 having with its castoff affec- tions and new affinities among the 1ssues. DENIED BY THE COURT. Injunotlon to Prevent Creation of For- est Reaerve. Qarson, Nev., Oct. 1,.—United States District Judge Farrington has handed down a decision in the case now pend- fhg in the United States court of this distriot, wherein the Eureka Live Stook company is contesting the right of President Roosevelt, the forestry commission gnd the secretary of the interfor to Ret aside the territory ‘which composes the Monitor forest re- serve in Eureka county, this state. The decision denies the application of the plaintiffs for a temporary re- straining order against the govern ment carrying out the prescribed rules governing forest reserves. The ques- tion whether the president of the Unit- States has jurisdietion in the mat- was not decided by the court. Both Shot in Farmers’ Duel. Muskogee, Okla, Oct. 1).—Follow ing a revolver duel fought on the open highway three miles from Porun John Kagle, a prominent farmer, is dead and Henry Williams is dying from his wounds. Kagle and Williams had been enemies for years and had made frequent threats against each other. They met by chance. Without a word each man pulled a huge Colt revolver and began firing. Willlams proved the better shot, but Kagle’s aim was good emough to inflict fatal injuries. Elected by One Majority. Detroit, Mich., Oct. 1. .—Mrs. Rose D. Rittman of Minneapolis, leader of the so-called anti-administration element ot the Woman’s Catholic Order of Foresters, which has held a” sensa- tlonal convention for the past week, has been elected president of the or- der by a majority of one vote, the re- turns showing 400 votes for Mrs. Ritt- man and 399 for Mrs. Elizabeth Rodgers of Chicago. Mrs. Rodgers an- nounced that she would contest the eloction on the ground of intimidation by the priests. oof raposed Amendments —T0 THE— Constitution —O0F— Minnesota —BY— Thelegislature General Session, 1907. St. Paul, Minn., May 1st, 1008. Hon. Jullus A. Schmahl, Secretary of State— sir: As required by Section 25 of the'| Revised Laws, as amended, | have thi honor to furnish you herewith a state- ment of the purposes and effects of the respective amendments proposed to the Constitution of the State of Minnesota by the Legisiature of 1907, and which are to be submitted to the electors of sald State at the General Election of 1908. FIRST PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The first proposed amendment is con- tained In Chapter 477 of the Laws of 1907. By this amendment It is sought to repeal Sections one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4) and seventeen (17) of Article nine (9) of the Constitution (the latter section belng the amendment to said Ar- ticle nine (9), adopted in 1896), which sectlons now read as follows: “Sectlon 1. All taxes to be raised in this state shall be as nearly equal as may be, and all property on which taxes are to be levied shall have a cash valuation and be equalized and uniform throughout the state: Provided, that the legislature may, by general law or speclal act, au- thorize municipal corporations to levy assessments for local improvements upon the property fronting upon such improve- ments, or upon the property to be bene- fited by such improvements, or both, without regard to cash valuation, and in such manner as the legislature may pre- scribe: and provided further, that for the purpose of defraying the expenses of lay- ing water pipes and supplying any city or municipality with water, the legislature may, by general or special law, authorize any such city or municlpality, having a population of five thousand or mere, to levy an annual tax or assessment upon the lineal foot of all lands fronting on any water maln or water pipe laid by such clty or municipality within cor- porate limits of sald city for supplying water to the citizens thereof without regard to the cash value of such prop- erty, and to empower such city to collect any such tax, assessments or fines, of penalties for failure to pay the same, or any fine or penalty for any violation of the rules of such city or municipality in regard to the use of water, or for any water rate due for the same: and pro- vided further, that there may be by law levied and collected a tax upon all inher- jtances, devises, bequests, legacies and gifts of every kind and deserlption above a fixed and specified sum, of any and all natural persons and corporations. Such tax above such exempted sum may be uniform or it may be graded or progress- ive, but shall not exceed a maximum tax of five per cent. ection 2. The legislature shall pro- vide for an annual tax sufficient to de- fray the estimated ordinary expenses of the state for each year, and whenever it shall happen that such ordinary expenses of the state for any year shall exceed the fncome of the state for such year the leglslature shall provide for levying a tax for the ensuing year sufficlent, with other sources of income, to pay the deficiency of the preceding vear. together with the estimated expenses of such ensuing year. But no law levying a tax or making other provisions for the payment of interest or principal of bonds denominated ‘Minne- sota State Railroad Bonds,’ shall take effect or be in force until such law shall have been submitted to a vote of the people of the state, and adopted by a majority of the electors of the state vot- ing upon the same. “gection 3. Laws shall be passed tax- ing all moneys, credits, investments in bonds, stocks, joint stock companies, or otherwise, also all real and personal property, according to its true value in money; but public burying grounds, pub- He school houses, public hospitals, academies, colleges, universitles, and all seminaries of learning, all churches, church property used for religious pur- poses, and houses of worship, institu- tions of purely public charity, public property used exclusively for any publio purpose, and personal property to an amount not exceeding in value two hun- dred dollars for each individual, shall, by general laws, be exempt from taxation, “Section 4. Laws shall be passed for taxing the notes and bills discounted or purchased, moneys loaned, and all other property, effects, or dues of every de- scription, of all banks and of all bank- ers, 5o that all property employed in banking shall always be subject to a tax- ation equal to that imposed on the prop- erty of individuals. “Section 17. The legislature may im- pose, or provide for the imposition of, up- on the property within this state of any and all owners or operators, whether cor- porate or individual, or otherwise, of any and all sleeping, parlor and drawing room cars, or any or either of the same. which run in, into or through this state; also upon the property within this state of any and all telegraph and telephone com- panies, or owners, whose lines are in, or extend in, into or through this state; also upon the property within this state of &ll express companies, Or OWners, or any or either of the same, doing business in this state; also upon the property within this state of all domestic insurance com- panies of this state of any kind; also ‘upon the property within this state of any and all foreign insurance companies doing business in this state of any kind; also owners or operators of any and all mines or of mineral ores situated in this state; also upon the property within this state of all boom companles or owners, and of all ship builders or owners doing business in this state or having a port therein (provided, that this act ‘shall not apply to property owned by railroad companies, their lands and other property); and upon the property of either or any of such companies or owners,—a tax as uniform as reasonably may be with the taxes im- posed upon similar property in said state, or upon the earnings thereof within this state, but may be graded or progressive, or both, and in providing for such tax, or In providing for ascertaining the just and true value of such property, it shall be competent for the legislature in either or all such cases, to impose such tax upon any or all property thereof within this state, and in either case by taking as the basis of such imposition the pro- portionate business, earnings, mileage or quantity of production or property now or hereafter existing of any such com- panies, persons or owners, transacted or isting in this state, in relation to the entire business, mileage or quantity of production or property of such com- panies, persons or owners as aforesald; or in such other manner, or by such other method as the legislature may de- termine; but the proceeds of such taxes upon mining property shall be distributed between the state and the various polit- ical subdivisions thereof wherein the samé is situated, fn the same proportion as the proceeds of taxes upon real prop- erty are distributed: Provided further. that nothing in this act contained ¢ operate to authorize the assessment taxation of any farm land or ordin business blocks or property owned any such corporation, person, firm company except in the manner provi by the ordinary methods of taxation,” and to substitute therefor the followir “Sec, 1. The power of taxation shuil never be surrendered, suspended or coir tracted away. Taxcs shall be unifor: upon the same class of subjects, and shall be levied and collected for public purposes, but public burying grounds, public school houses, public hospitals, academies, colleges, universities, and all seminaries of learnng, all churches, church property used for religious pur- poses, and houses of worship, institutions of purely public chari and public property used exclusively for any public purpose, shall be exempt from taxation, and there may be exempted from taxa- tion personal property not exceeding in value $200 for each household, individual, or head of a family, as the legislature may determine. But the legislature may authorize municipal corporations to levy and collect assessments for local fm- provements upon property benefited thereby without regard to a cash valua- tion, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect, modify or repeal any existing law providing for the taxa- tion of the gross carnings of railroads.” This proposed constitutional amend- ment was submitted and voted upon at the last election and was declared cal rled. But a contest was Instituted by in= terested parties, claiming that the amend- ment was not carried. That contest Is now pending In the courts and it was on that account that the legisiature decided to re-submit the amendment to the peo- ple, so that however the contest may be decided, the next legislature may have the power granted by the amendment. For the purpose of discussing the effect of the amendment | will assume that the same amendment submitted at the last election, did not carry. The purpose and effect of this amend- ment would be to greatly enlarge the power of the legislature with reference to the subject of taxation. Section one (1) as it now stands provides that al taxes Imposed shall be equal—as near may be—on all forms of property, and all property upon which a tax is imposed (8 required to have a CASH VALUATION equalized throughout the state. Section two (2) as It now stands re- quires the legisiature to levy the neces- sary taxes annually to defray the ex- penses of the state. That Is the duty of the legisiature without any constitutional direction. 8ectlon three (3) as it now stands pro- vides that all real and personal property, including MONEYS, CREDITS and IN- VESTMENTS IN BONDS AND 8TOCKS, shall be assessed according to their true value In money. Section four (4) as It now stands pro- vides that property employed in banking shall be subject to a tax equal to that Imposed on other property. This Is only a repetition of the requirements of Sec- tions one (1) and three (3), as no rational person would claim that banking capital should be exempt from taxation. Section seventeen (17) as it now stands Is not easy to understand. but it was In- tended by that section to (! . : rio. the operatlon of sections one i .od (3), above quoted, proper. . i 1 therein enumerated, so tF Ings tax could be appliec of direct taxation. Owing to the provisior s 1 (1) and three (3) of th: tution many amendment., to time added so as to § Imposed on specific k-2 otherwise than upon sh equalized throughout the state. we imve among these exceptions railroad gross earnings taxes; municipal frontage taxes; Inheritance taxes; and the gross earnings taxes authorized by said section seven- teen (17). Several exemptions from taxation are also provided for, but as these exemp- tions are not changed by the proposed amendment, | will make no further ref- erence to them, The amendment which, if adopted, would take the place of all of the sections and amendments above referred to, is simple and plain. No provision of the Constitution is necessary to authorize the Imposition of the taxes necessary for the support of the state and its various polit- ical subdivisions. The power of taxation Is Inherent in government. This proposed amendment declares that this inherent power of taxation shall never be surren. dered, suspended or contracted away; that taxes shall be Imposed for publiic purposes and shall be uniform on the same class of subjects. Should this amendment be adopted all property of every kind In the state would be subject to taxation, according to the method ths legislature saw fit to adopt, provided only that the tax was levied for a pub- lic purpose and was uniform on the same class of subjacts. Under this amend- ment every tax iaw we now have on the statue books would continue to be valld, because under this amendment all limita- tions on the power of the legislature would be taken away. The adoption of this amendment would, as Indicated, repeal the so-called inherit- ance tax amendment, and the. gross earn- ings tax amendment adapted in 1896, as contained In said Section ceventeen (17), but in their place this amendment would glve the legislature greater authority. Under this amendment the power to Im- pose Inheritance taxes would be unlimit- ed, and any form of gross earnings tax would be valid. The gross earnings tax on raliroads would not be affected by this amendment, as the Constitution provides that they cannot be changed without sub- mitting the law making the change to & vote of the people. But with this amend- ment various new forms of taxation could be Imposed, notably an Income tax, a tons nage tax on Iron ore and a rec iry tax on mortgages. Under the prezon: Constitu- tion we can Impose no tax on mortgages owned by non-residents. A registry tax, which would be valid under this amend- ment, would_reach- all mortgages alike, ‘While the Constitution requ Jeots of taxation to have a valua- tion with the tax equalized througheut the state, no proper Income tax could be Imposed. upon the property within this state of a¥ NECEEATIVE DA M bA{HIE “with “ Fifles bstwean Atetiean fishermeti ahd - Canadian: officials. ix #aid to liave been fought on Lake Su- perior-opposite Whitefish point. Boatx arriving at the Canadian Soo tell of seeing the trouble at a distance and local Canadian officials admit hearing of the affair, but decline to discuss it. ‘Americans are said to have been fish. Ing in Canadian waters at this end of the lake for some time and several days ago officials went to the scene to meke a seizure. It is reported here that the fishermen escaped. SECOND PROPOSED AMZNDMENT. The second proposed amendment s contained in Chapter 478 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1007. By this amendment it is sought to repeal Section sixteen (16) of Article nine (9) of thi Constitution, which section now reads as follows: “For the purpose of lending aid in the construction and improvement of public highways and bridges, therc is hereby created a fund to be known as the ‘State Road and Bridge Fund.’ Said fund shall Include all moneys accruing from the in- conie derived from investments in the Internal improvement land fund, or that may hereafter accrue to said fund, and shall also include -all funds accruihg to any state road and bridge fund, however wrovided. “The legislature is authorized to add to such fund for the purpose of constructing or improving roads and bridges of this state, by providing, in its discretion, for an annual tax levy upon the property of this state of not to exceed in any year one-twentieth (1-20) of one (1) mill on all the taxable property within the state. “The legislature is also authorized to provide for the appointment, by the gov- ermor of the state, of a board to be known as the ‘State Highway Commis- sion,’ consisting of three (3) members, who shall perform such dutics as shall be preseribed by law without salary or com- Dpensation other than personal expenses. “Such commission shall have general superintendence of the conctruction of state roade o=7 - hall use ek il he, Cun reof and gt it ket al coun- o " & le basis, all re- ree (3) o o v of one i 15 pro- g vear; more £ accru- (X t 2d for ~uait_ More than .~y Of the cost of construc- won or Improving any road or bridge be paid by the state from such fund,” and to substitute ther v the following: “Section 16. For the purpose of lend- Ing aid in the construction and improve- ment of public hizhways and bridges, there is hereby created a fund to be known as the e Road and Bridge Fund.’ Said fund shall include all moneys accruing from the income derived from Investments in the internal improvement land fund, or that may hereafter acerue to said fund, und shall also include all funds accruing to any state road and bridge fund. however provided. “The legisiature is anthorized to add to such fund, for the purpose of construct- ing or improving roads and bridges of this state by providing, in its discretion, for an annual tax levy upon the property of this state.” The purpose and effect of this amend- ment Is to authorlze the legislature to levy upon all the property of the state any amount necessary, in its judgment, for the benefit of the roads and bridges therein, and In so far removes the limita- tion which now exlsts in the Constitution, whereby the legislature Is prevented from levying for such purpose a tax ex- ceeding one-twentieth (1-20) of cne (1) mill on the taxahle property within the state, This amendment further authorizes the, legislature to provide salary and compen-" sation, includirg personal expenses in- curred In the performance of duty by the highway commission, or any other like officer entrusted by law with similar du- ties. _ Finaily, this amendment removes ths imitation which ncw exlsts In the Con- stitution upon the powers of the highway commission in the distribution of the road and bridge fund of the state whereby au- thorized, axd the amount which the stats may pay frem such fund toward the cost of constructing or improving any road or bridge, and leaves the whole management of such fund to be provided for by law, as the legislature shall deem wise. The adoption of this amendment will not interfere with the power of the legis- lature to create a highway commission and define Its powers, nor will it inter fere with the appointment and tenure of | office of the present commission, THIRD PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The third proposed amendment is con- tained In- Chapter 379 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1907. By this amendment It Is sought to add the follow- ing section to Article nine (9) of the Con- stitution as a new section: “Section 17. The legislature may pro- vide for the payment by the State ot Minnesota of damages to growing crops by hail and wind, or either, and to pro- vide a fund for that purpose, may im- pose a specific tax upon lands, the own- ers of which, at their option, have listed the same with county auditors for that nce. and no payment shall be made ~~ves except from the i ) sffect of this amend- e e the legislature to ¢ e » secome the trustee In sbursement of a fund s damages to_growing voy d, or both. This fund > maintained by a spe- lands_of such persons FOMLY ‘o, OLUNTARILY list the same Ll . spective county audit- ors for such purpuse. There can be no tax for such purpose imposed on the landa of any owner who does not consent there- to. its adoption will authorize the legis- lature to direct that the taxing machinery of the state be used to levy and collect the tax necessary to raise such fund, and to provide for the disbursement of the same by the officers of the state, but any payments to be made by the state by rea- son of damage by hall or wind will have to be made from said fund and from no other. The state would assume no re- sponsibillty beyond the amount of such fund, and could not further be rendered liable. FOURTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The fourth proposed amendment Is con- tained in Chapter 480 of the laws of Min- nesota for the year 1907. By this amend- ment it is sought to repeal the provisions of Section seven (7) of Article seven (7) of the Constitution, which section now reads as follows: “Every person who by the provisions of this article shall be entitled to vote at any election shall be eligible to any office which now is, or hereafter shall be, elec- tive by the pecple in the district wherein he shall have resided thirty days previous to such election, except as otherwise pro- vided in this Constitution, or the Consti- tution and laws of the United States,” and to substitute therefor the following: “Every percon who by the provisions of this article shall be entitled to vote at any electicn shall be eligible to any office which now Is, or hereafter shall be, elec. tive by the people in the district wherein be shall have resided thirty days previous to such election, except county super- intendents of schools, who shail be re- quired to have oducational qualifications to be determined by the legislature, and except as otherwise provided in this Con- stitution, or the Constitution and laws of the United States.” “The purpose and effect of this amend- ment is to authorize the leglslature to re- quire educatioral qualifications, In addl. tlon to all the other qualifications now re- quired by law, for any person seeking the office of county superintendent of schools. As the Coastituticn ncw stands any legal voter Is eligible to the office .of county superintedent of school The foregoing four proposed amend- ments constitute all the amendments pro- posed for adoption at the ensulng General Election. Yours respecttully, EDWARD T. YOUNG, Attorney General. - SENSATIONAL WAY Charge of Perjury in Panama Canal Hearing, New Yeork, Oct. 1 ,—The inquiry intg the Panama cana! discrimination eharges was temporarily interrupted in & sensational manner when Willlam A. Brothers, who brought the eharges, publicly accused Spencer Miller, a representative of the Lidgerwood com- pany, of perjury. Brlndior General Garlington, who 18 .conducting the inquiry, rapped re- peatedly for order, but there was so much commotion in the room that he could not make himself heard. “There is only one side of this thing being heard anyway,” shouted Brothers over the din. “There is no use of my talking. You don’t want to hear the truth. I will withdraw. ‘With that Brothers left the room and as General Garlington was un- able to restore order a temporary ad- journment of the inquiry was ordered. The inquiry by General Garlington, inspector general of the army, has been in progress in the army building here for several days. It was begun for the purpose of looking into the merits of the charges of discrimina- tion by the canal commissioners in awarding a contract for cableways on the isthmus, which had been preferred by William A. Brothers. Mr. Brothers, who is president of the Balanced Ca- ble Crane company of New York, al- leged that the isthmian canal com- mission in issuing specifications for cableways had discriminated against his gompany and that improper meth- ods had been employed in preventing him from receiving the award. Colonel George W. Goethals, gen- eral director of the Panama canal work, and several other army officers and engineers already have testified before the inspector general. Colonel Goethals, in his testimony, said that for good and sufficient reasons the specifications were so drawn that Mr. Brothers could not bid. He sald the cable device offered by Mr. Brothers was believed to be imperfect and that the commission could not afford to ex- periment with it. WILL RETIRE STEWART. Probable Conclusion of Board Investi- gating Officers’ Case. ‘Washington, Oct. 1 '.—The army re- tiring board investizating the case of Colonel William F. Stewart concluded its hearings and went into executive session. ‘While the board did not make pub- He its findings it s understood that it accepted the finding of the medical members of the board, which was to the effact that Colonel Stewart is in- oapaoitated from service on account of valvular disease of the heart. The board will make no recommendation, but In all probability the imvestigation will be followed by the retirement ot Colonel Stewart. Talk withi your doctor about Aer’s non- alcoholic Sarsaparilla. Ask him if he pre- Scribes it for pale, delicate children. Ask !nin; iil he recommends it when the blood Consult i about medi- 18 thin and impure, and when the nerves are cal matters. He hl‘,ww_ 1',,,,,";,,,,,_ weak and uns(endy’. Ask him if it aids nature Do as he says. Follow his advice. _in buildingupthegeneral health.J.C. Ay Co. BUY A GOOD LOT With the growth of Bemidji good lots are becoming scarcer and scarcer. We still have a number of good lots in the residence 'part of town which will be sold on easy terms. For further particulars write or call Bemidji Townsite and Im provement Company. H. A. SIMONS, Agent. Swedback Block, Bemidji. Lumber and Building Material We carry in stock at all times a com- plete line of lumber and building material of all descriptions. Call in and look over our special line of fancy glass doors. We have a large and well assorted stock from which you can make your selection. WE SELL 16-INCH SLAB W00D St. Hilaire Retail Lbr. Co. BEMIDJI, MINN. Subseribe For The Pioneer. Typewriter Ribbons The'Pioneer keeps on hand all the standard makes of Typewriter Ribbons, at the uniform price of 75'cents for all ribbons except the two- and three-color ribbons and special makes.