Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 26, 1908, Page 2

| THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER PUBLISHED EVERY AFTNENOON, BEMIDJI PIONEER PUBLISHING CO. By CLYDE J."PRYOR. Wntered in the postofice at Bemidil. Minr., a8 second class matter. SUBSCRIPTION---$5.00 PER ANNUM —_— JUDGE STANTON SHOULD BE RE-ELECTED. There is much more to consider in the contest for the judgeship of the Fifteenth Judicial district than the mere fact as to whether either of the candidates (Judge C. W. Stan- ton and B. F. Wright) is a ‘republi- can or a democrat, or is not very active in the affairs of either party. First of all, there is fitness for the office. Judge Stanton has been on the bench since the retirement of ex-Judge Spooner. That he has made good, no one can successfully deny. He has presided in court in every county in the district since he assumed his seat on the bench; and attorneys and others having busi- ness in court have been unanimous in declaring that the judge has been entirely fair and impartial in his rulings and has shown that he possesses judicial qualifications in the highest degree. Then there is the question of the place of residence of the judge who is associated with Judge McClena- han. Bemidji is the proper place for judicial chambers of the asso- ciate ot Judge McClenahan. The latter is located at Brainerd, and Be- midji 1s the most accessable point in the district. Judge Stanton lives in Bemidji, and will continue to reside here, giv- ing the chambers to this place. His opponent lives at Park Rapids— and there is no doubt but that Mr. Wright would be unable to give as much of his time at the central point in the district (Bemidji) as would Judge Stanton. Mr. Wright has stated that he would give “‘as much time as necessary” to Bemidji; but Park Rapids is not very accessable to those desiring an audience with the judge, from other parts of the district. We doubt if the people of the Fifteenth Judicial district will elect a man as judge, whose quali- fications are yet to be proven, over one who has made good in every sense of the word. And, whatis more to the point, the judicial cham- bers should be in Bemid, Voters should carefully consider these questions relative to the judge- ship before casting their ballot “for the straight ticket,” regardless of conditions. CAUSTIC COMMENT. LA. G. Rutledge.] A New York hotel is to havea pine forest on its roof. Thus it will have a shade the better of its rivals. Most men admire the ideal and intellectual, but very few of them would rather discuss Ibsen than eat chicken with dumplings. J. M. Barrie has written a play entitled “What Every Woman Knows.” A great many husbands will attend with some misgivings. Just before you begin talking about the troubles you have now, devote five minutes to trying to remember the troubles you had this time last year. The immense mails in the post- office are heralded as a sign of prosperity. But the immense fall hats in the store windows promise hard times later on. Sunshine, remarks Mr. Bryan, was not made by Mr. Taft. Pretty soon the democratic candidate will be remarking that it was his previous campaigns which gave the financial cloud a silver lining. Elkins Has Nothing to Say. Pittsburg, Oct. 21—In an extended conversation over the long distance telephone with United States Senator Stephen B. Elkins at Elkins, W. Va,, the Associated Press made a number of pointed inquiries concerning the reported engagement of his daughter, Miss Katherine Elkins, and the Duke of the Abruzzi. The attempt, how- ever, to either secure a confirmation or denial was unsuccessful. Minister Accused of Bigamy. Larned, Kan., Oct. 2 .—Rev. Dr. F. B. Toms, a Baptist evangelist, was arrested here on a charge of bigamy brought by Rev. F. W. Gookin, pastor of the Larned Baptist chureh. TFoms came from Tecumseh, Neb., where he had a wife and child. He declared he obtained a divorce in Colorade Springs, after which he married a ‘widow in Great Bend, Kan. He waived preliminary hearing. 5 ~—8an Franclsco Chronicle. ROOSEVELT HOT SHOT. On Haskell. Governor Haskell’s utter unfit- mess for any public position of trust or for assoclation with any man’ anxious to make an appeal on a moral issue to the American people has been abundantly shown, ‘As an American citizen whe prizes his Americanism and citl- gzenship far above any question of partisanship, I regard it as a scandal and disgrace that Gov- ernor Haskéll should be connect- ed with the management of a na- tlonal campalgn. Te Bryam. In my judgment the measures you advocate would be wholly in- effective in curing an evil, and 80 far as they had any effect at all would merely throw the entire business of the country into hope- less and utter confusien. I put Mr. Taft’s deeds against your words. I ask that Mr. Taft be judged by all his deeds, for he wishes none of them forgotten. I ask that you be judged both by the words you wish remembered and by the words that seemingly you and your party now desire to have forgotten. BRYAN’S SPECIOUS RECORD. Judge Taft Points Out the Weak pots in the Nebraskan’s Pollt- feal History. (From Taft’s Cincinnati Speech.) “What is it that we have to expect from Mr. Bryan? Have we anything to expect but what he promises? Have we anything to expect but what is based upon his eloquence and his adroitness as a public critic? Has he ever glven any practical Semonstration of his ability to meet problems and solve them? Has he ever done any- thing but formulate propositions in his closet of an utterly impracticable plausibility, and very little with a view of thelr operation? ‘By their fruits we shall know them. “With the record of promlses and prophecies unfulfilled for a period of twelve years; with this record of a& hunt for an issue upon which to achleve the presidency; with™ this ree- ord of repudiation, of negotiation and of running away from national respon- sibllities, Mr. Bryan comes forward and asks that the people now give him an opportunity to put into operation new reforms in respect to trusts and in respect to guaranty of bank depos- its, wholly untried, wholly theoretical, and on their face bearing evidence of their impracticability and of having been devised by the ready brain of one looking for plausible arguments rather than real reforms. He only in a qualified way approved the postal savings bank recommended by the Re- publican platform, which is a tried and proved means of encouraging the wage-earner and small farmer to make deposits in a bank absolutely secure; but much prefers a system which takes a man’s money to pay another man’s default, and which instead of strength- ening our banking system will break it down by desiroying the value of the banking character and experience and capital and by offering inducement to reckless and speculative bankers with- out character or capital. “The record ef Mr. Bryan and his character, as it is understood by a twelve years’ acquaintance with him, have impressed the business communi- ty of this country and those whose judgment determines whether or mnot capital shall be invested that he is not a safe man with whom to try experi- ments in government; that he loves finaneial theories that are full of so- phistry and are impractical; that he advances propositions with but little sense of respect as to how they may be carried out in practice, and that he gives but little attention to the wel- fare of the conservative business com- munity in his suggestions of reform. Certainly his record justifies this judg- ment of him by the business men. If he was to be elected, unquestionably because of hls record, however much now he may seek to pose as a conserva- tive—because of his record, because of the fallure of the theory which he has proposed for the last twelve years— his election will mean a paralysis of business, and we should have a recur- rence of the disastrous business con- dition of the last Democratic adminis- GROWTH OF WEALTH PER CAPITA. Doctrine that the Poor Are Growing Poorer Shown to Be Fal (From the Los Angeles Times.) In 1820 the savings banks of the United States held $1,138,576. This | Wwas a poor country then compared with now. The amount was only an average of 12 cents for the Lopulation of that time. That amount of average economy was very small. Now the people of this country have $8,690,878,945 in savings banks. This is an average for the whole population of this time of over $42. The actua! dopositors have an average of $420 to their ccedit. In 1820 omly S.63% per- bave a savings bank account. Now there are 8,588,811, When James Buchanan, the last Democratic Presidest in a long line, went into office, there was about $100; 000,000 in the savings banks of the United States. By 1870, after fighting out the grea: war, the people, under Republican rule for twenty years, bad $550,000,000 in the savings banks. When the next Democratic President took his seat In 1883, the savings of the people had passed the billion point. By 1898 the savings had doubled again. So there it 1s. In 1820 there were only about 8,000 people rich enough to have a savings bank account. Now there are over 8,000,000. In 1820 the savings were 12 cents per capita; now they are over $42. That the poor grow poorer and the rich richer in this country is as true as any other Populistic notion. Bry: He talks in the morming and talks in the night, He talks when he's wrong and he talks when he's right; He talks in the office and talks in the hall, He talks in the church and he talks at the ball. He talks to the Senate and talks to the ‘House, He talks to the people as poor common souse; He talks to the press and he talks to the crowd, He talks and he talks with a voice long and loud; Like an old clapper mill he’ll sound to the end And die disappointed for office and friend! —John A. Joyce in Baltimore Ameri- can. evelt om Tatt. T hope and believe that all far sighted citizens who wish to see this country prosperous in mate- rial things will support Mr. Taft, but above all I ask for support for him because he stands for the moral uplift of the nation, be- cause his deeds have made good his words, and because the poli- eles to which he is committed are of immeasurable consequence alike to the honor and interest of the whole American people. Mr. Bryan says there is always hope for a man who changes. Yes, but not for a man who changes from bad to ‘worse. Judge Taft points to the negro citi- zen the way to recognition through in- telligent industry, which is always cou- pled with political intelligence. Governor Hughes made some punc- tures in the Bryan record in his Ohfo speech that left the record more badly dll:{lm than ever, if that were pos- &ible. S Doubtless Mr. Bryan wishes that President Roosevelt were not 8o prompt in answering letters. The explorations of Traveler Bryan into, the enemy’s country are giving him vivid impressions of its extent and hostliity. The Democratic leaders have failed to discover any way by which they can safely withdraw the glowing ‘words with which they eulogized Mr. sons {a the country were rich enougu to | In a business sense the young voters ‘who haye come forward since 1804 have more at stake them any other class i rendering a right decision. Their ac- tive lives are ahead. They have more years to live, and are now laying the foundations of their business careers. Natlonal policies and conditions are of the highest consequence to them. Per- haps they are farmers. If 80, let them k the older generation how farmers fared under the last Democratic admiu- istration. Let them take the market reports of to-day and compare them with the prices that prevailed when Mr. Bryan made his crusade for free silver and hurled defiance at President Cleve- land because he stood by the gold standard. At the same time Bryan do- nounced the Republican party for its protectionist as well as sound mouey position. Perhaps the first voter is to engage In manufacturing or miniug, a8 wage-earner or otherwise. Does he want his American rate of wages and the industry he chooses reasonably pro- tected against foreign competition? It he does Mr. Bryan's leadership will take him In the opposite directlon.— 8t. Louis Globe-Democrat. The Tide of Prosperity. The tide of prosperity may ebb and flow, but the great waves of industrial wealth will continue to grow in vol- ume with ever-increasing comfort and happiness to our contented people, who will soon number 100,000,000. And be- cause of our intelligent and skillful labor, made so because of good wages and good living, we shall make better fabrics and build stronger structures— that in spite of their higher cost in the beginning will be cheaper in the emd and will be wanted by the people im every corner of the earth. So that we shall capture the markets of the world in greater volume without ever sacrl- ficing our home market, the foundation of our national wealth and progress.— Hon. James 8. Sherman. Henry Gassaway Davis, who was de- feated with Parker four years ago, Is wiser as well as elder. He says he sees no hope fer the Democracy, and thinks Parker is again wasting valu- able time in making spesches.—St. Louis Globe-Democrat. — e It is interesting to note to how great an extent Governor Hughes is com- manding the support of Democrats in New York State.—Springfield Republi- ean. Anyway, Mr. Taft never tried to steal Mr. Bryam's government ownmer- ship raiment.—-Omaha Bee. Kern, Jr,, Critically Il Indianapolis, Oct. 23.—John W. Kern, the Democratic vice presiden- tial nominee, whose campaign tour in New York and Ohio was interrupted at Syracuse by news of the serious illness of his eight-year-old son, John W. Kern, Jr., has reached Indianap- olis. He found the boy in a critical condition and there is slight probabil- ity that Mr. Kern will resume his cam- paign duties before next week, when & number of speeches have been ar- ranged for him in Indiana. He in- tends, if possible, to fill those engage- ments. The marrow in the bone of political contention is the continuance of Re- nuhlican nrasnarity THE GAUSE OF GOLDS Good Advice Regarding the Prevention of Coughs and Colds. If people would only properly. fortify and strengthen their system, about 98 per cent of coughs, colds and pneumonia might be avoided. These troubles are simply the result of weakness, which produces a membrane, which is an internal skin of the body. When the skin is weak- ened, it becomes infected with germs which are carried through the system by the blood. These para- sites attack and break these delicate tissues and set up a soreness which produce what is is reality an ex- ternal scrofula. The only thing tbat will cure coughs and colds and prevent pneu- monia is a medication which is ab- sorbed and carried by the blood so that the diseased membrane is disin- fected, cleaned, soothed and healed. We have a remedy which we hon- estly believe infallible and unsurpas- sable for the prevention and cure of coughs, colds and all catarrhal con- ditions. It is the prescription of a famous physician, who hasan en- viable reputation of 30 years of cures gained through the use of this medi- cine. We promise to either effecta a cure ip every case or make no charge for - the medicine. We urge everyquy in Bemidji who has need of such/a medicine to 'try Rexall Mucu-Tone. It stands to reason that we could not afford to make such statements and give our own personal guarantee to thisremedy if we were not abso- lutely positive that we could sub- tantiafe our claim in every partic- ulor, dad we see no reason why any- one should hesitate to accept our offer and try it. We have two sizes of Rexall Mucu-Tone. Prices 50c. and $1.00. Sometimes a 50c. bottle is sufficient for a cure. As a general thing the most chronic case is cured with/"an average of three large bottles. - Remember, the medicine will/cost you nothing if you are not - | Drug Store. catarrhal condition of the mucous | satisfied in every particular. Barker’s NINE MINERS FORCED T0 STOP OPERATIONS Water Gompany Gompelied: to Shut Off Supply. Pottsville, Pa., Oct. 2 .—The Girard ‘Water company has shut off the sup- ply of water to nine anthracite col- Heries between Girardville and Shen- andoah, compelling them to -cloge down completely -for an - indefinite period in order that the present sup- ply may be kept for domestic pur- poses in a half dozen towns in that region. The water supply for domes- tic purposes has been cut to two hours per day for some weeks because of the drought, but the collieries were given enough to keep them at work full time until,conditions so serfous that a total exhaustion of the supply was threatened. About 3,500 men and boys are thus thrown out of work. Mr. Taft bas found no “enemy’s country” in his tour of the glad and prosperous west, .People Greatly Alarmed. Plauen, Saxony, Oct. 2°.—Thirty earthquake shocks were experienced in the Zwickau region. They were accompanied by thunderlike rever- berations and the people were greatly alarmed. Proposed “Amendments —T0 THE— Constitution —OF— Minnesota —BY— Thelegislature General Session, 1907. St. Paul, Minn., May 1st, 1808. Hon. Jullus A. Schmahl, Secretary of State— Sir: As required by Section 25 of the Revised Laws, as amended, | have the honor to furnish you herewith a staf ment of the purposes and effects of the respective amendments proposed to the Constitution of the State of Minnesota by the Legislature 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- talned 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 being the amendment to said Ar- ticle nine (9), adopted in 1896), which sections now read as follows: “Section 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 special 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 speclal law, authorize any ‘such city or municipality, 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 main or water pipe laid by such city or municipality within cor- porate limits of said 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, or 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- itances, devises, bequests, legacies and gifts of every kind and description akove 2 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. “Section 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 income of the state for such year the Jegislature shall provide for levying a tax for the ensuing vear sufficlent, with other gources of income, to pay the deficiency of the preceding year, 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. “Section 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- lic school houses, public hospitals, “sedemiss collegeg. Rulversifies, 2od-all gemInATieS O feArning, ah chUFches, church. property used for -religious pur- poses, and houses of worship, institu- tions of purely public charity, public property used exclusively for any public purpose, and ~personal property- to an amount not exceeding in value two hun- dred dollars for cach individual, shall, by general laws, be exempt from taxation. ‘Gection 4. Laws shall be passed for taxing the notes and bills discounted or phirchased, moneys loaned, and all other property, effects, or dues of every de- scription, of all banks and of all bank- ers, so 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 leglslature 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 all express companles, 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 upon the property within this state of aV 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 companies 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 existing in this state, in relation to the entire business, mileage or quantity of production or property of such com: panies, persons or owners as aforesaid 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 same is situated, in the same proportion as the proceeds of taxes upon real prop- erty are distributed: Provided further, that nothing in this act contained shall operate to authorize the nssessmer!t or taxation of any farm land or ordinary business blocks or property owned by any such corporation, person, firm or company except in the manner provided by the ordinary methods of taxation,” and to substitute therefor the following: “Sec. 1. The power of taxation shall never be surrendered, suspended or con- tracted away. Taxes shall be uniform 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 re.igious pur- poses, and houses of worship, institutions of purely public charity, 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 Jherein contained shall be construed to affect, modify or repeal any existing law providing for the t tion of, the gross earnings of railroads. This proposed constitutional amend- ment was submitted and voted upon at the last election and was declared car- ried. But a contest was instituted by In- terested partles, claiming that the amend- ment was not carried. That contest Is now pending In the courts and it was on that account that the legislature 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 all taxes Imposed shall be equal—as near as may be—on all forms of property, and all property upon which-a tax is imposed fs required to have a CASH VALUATION equalized throughout the state. Sectlon two (2) as It now stands re- quires the legislature to levy the neces- sary taxes annually to defray the ex- pet of the state. That Is the duty of the legislature without any constitutional direction. Section three (3) as It now stands pro- vides that all real and personal property, Including MONEYS, CREDITS and IN- VESTMENTS IN BONDS AND STOCKS, 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 s 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 relieve from the operation of sections one (1) and three (3), above quoted, property of the classes thereln enumerated, so that a gross earn- ings tax could be applied thereto instead of direct taxation. Owing to the provisions of sections one (1) and three (3). of the present Consti- tution many amendments were from time to time added so as to permit taxes to be Imposed on specific kinds of property otherwise than upon a cash valuation equalized throughout the state. We have among these exceptions railroad gros 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 s necessary to authorize the Imposition of the taxes necessary for the support of the state and its various polit- ical subdivisions. The power of taxatlon 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 public purposes and shall be uniform on the same class o bject: Should this amendment be adopted all Froperty of every kind In the state would be subject to taxation, according to the method the legislature saw fit to adopt, provided only that the tax was levied for a pub- llc purpose and was uniform on the same class of subjects. Under this amend- ment every tax iaw we now have on the statue books would continue to be valld, because under this amendment all iimita- tions on the power of the legisiature would be taken away. The adoption of this amendment would, as Indicated, repeal the so-called Inherit nce tax amendment, and the gross earn- ings tax amendm in 1896, as enteen (17), this amendment wouid give the legisiature ~greater authority. Under this amendment the power to Im- poss inheritangs taxes would be unlimit- = €4, and any form of @ross earnings tax would be valid. The gross earnings tax on railroads would not be affected by this amendment, as the Constitution provides that they cannot be changed without sub- vote of the people. But with this amend- ment various new forms of taxation could be imposed, notably an Income tax, a tone nage tax on Iron ore and a rec'~try tax on mortgages. Under the preszat Corstitus tion we can Impose Ao tax on mortgages owned by non-residents. A registry tax, which would be valid under this amend- ment, would reach all mortgages alike. wWhile the Constitution requires all sub. Jeots of taxation to have a cash valua. tion with the tax equalized throughout the state, no proper income tax could be imposed. SECOND PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The second proposed cmendment Is contained In Chapter 478 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1907. By this amendment it is sought to repeal Section sixteen (16) of Article nine (9) of the follows: “For the purpose of lending aid in the construction and improvement of ‘public highways and bridges, there 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- come derived from investments in the Internal improvement land fund, or that may hereafter accrue to said fund, and shall also include all funds accruing to any state road and bridge fund, however provided. “The legislature is athorized 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- ernor of the state, of a board to be known as the ‘State Highway Commis- sion,’ consisting of three (3) members, who shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by law without salary or com- pensation other than personal expenses. “Such commission shall have general superintendence of the construction of state roads and bridges and shall use such fund in the construction thereof and distribute the same in the several coun- ties in the state upon an equitable basis. Provided further, that no county shall re- celve in any year more than three (3) per cent or less than one-half (1) of one (1) per cent of the total fund thus pro- vided and cxpended during such year; and, provided further, that no more than one-third (1-3) of such fund accru- ing in any year shall be expended for bridges, and in no case shall more than one-third (1-3) of the cost of construc- tion or improving any road or bridge be paid by the state from such fund,” and to substitute therefor the following: “Section 16. For the purpose of lend- ing aid in the construction and improve- ment of public ) ays and bridges, there is hereby ted a fund to be known as the Road and Bridge Fund.’ Said fund shail include all moneys accruing from the income derived from investments in the internal fmprovement land fund, or that may hereafter accrue to said fund, und shall also include all funds accruing to any state road and bridge fund. however provided. “The legislature is authorized 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 authorize the legisiature 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 exists in the Constitution, whereby the legislature Is prevented from levying for such purpose a tax ex ceeding one-twentieth (1-20) of one (1) mill on the taxable property within the state. This arendment further authorizes the legislature to provide salary and compen- sation, includirg personal expenses In- curred In the performance of duty by the highway commisslon, or any other like officer entrusted by law with slmilar du- ties. Finally, this amendment removes ths fimitation which ncw exists In the Gon- stitution upon the powers of the highway commission in the distribution of the road and bridge fund of the state whereby au- thorlzed, and the amount which the stats may pay from 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 legls- lature to create a highway commission and define its powers, nor will It Inter- fere with the appointment and tenure of office of tiie present commission. THIRD PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The third proposed amendment is con- talned 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 sectio “Section 17. The legislature may pro- vide for the payment by the State ot Minnesota of damages to growing crops by hail and wiad, 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 purpose, and no payment shall be made of any such damages cxcept from the fund so provided.” The purpose and effect of tiis amend- ment Is to authorize the legislature to permit the state to become the trustee in the collection and dissursement of a fund for the payment of damages to growing crops by hail or wind, or both. This fund Is to be created and maintained by a spe- cific tax upon the lands of such person: ONLY as shall VOLUNTARILY fist the same with their respective county audit- ors for such purpose. There can be no tax for such purpose imposed on the lands 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 hail or wind will have to be made from said fund and from no other. The state would assume no re- sponsibility beyond the amount of such :‘ur;,?, and could not further be rendered able. FOURTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The fourth proposed amendment is cons tained in Chapter 480 of the laws of Mine 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 zs follows: “Every person who by the provisions of this article shail be entitled to vote at any election shall be eligible to any office which now s, or hereafter shall be, elec- tive by the people in the district whereln 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 person who by the provisi this article shall be entitled o vote :{ any electicn shall be eligible to any office Which now is, or hereafler shall be, elece tive by the people in the district wherein he shall have resided thirty days previous to such election, except county super- intendents of schools, who shall be re- quired to have educational qualifications t0 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 legislature to re- quire educational -qualifications, In addl- tion to all the other qualifications now re- quired by law, for any person seeking the office of county superintendent of schools. As the Constituticn ncw stands any legal voter Is eligible to the office of county superintedent of schiools. The foregoing four proposed amend- ments constitute all the amendments pro- posed for adoption at the ensuing General lection. Yours respectfully, EDWARD T. YOUNG; Attorney General mitting the law making the change to a Constitution, which section now reads as. e USRS S