Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 27, 1908, Page 2

\ | { THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER PUBLISHED EVERY AFTHRNOON, BEMIDJI PIONEER PUBLISHING CO. By CLYDE J. PRYOR. Wntered in the postoffice at Bemidil. Minn., a8 second class matter. SUBSCRIPTION---$5.00 PER ANNUM “BEN” LOOKS WORRIED. B. F. Wright looks every bit the winner for Judge, and it seems now to be only a question of majority. Indications now are that Mr. Wright’s majority at the general election will be larger than at the primaries.—Park Rapids Clipper. “Ben” didn’t look very much “like a winner,” when he called at our office, a few days ago. In fact, he was considerably worried over the actions of some of his friends who have been attempting to cast dirty reflections on the personal character of Hon. C. W. Stanton, Mr. Wright’s opponent for the judicial toga. These enthusiastic supporters of “Ben” have been given some en- couragement in their questionable actions by the statements made by Mr. Wright himself, to the effect that Mr. Stanton had been appoint- ed to the office of county attorney of Koochiching county by a democrat- ic admunistration, and “not by the voice of the people.” . Mr. Wright’s legal knowledge should have made known to him that an appointment to the office of county attorney is always made by the board of county commissioners; and, in the case of Tudge Stanton, the county board was composed entirely of republicans, So much for the appointments that came from “the democratic adminis- tration, and not by the voice of the people.” Mr. Wright is not naturally a person who will make statements not founded on facts; but we fear his anxiety to get votes is overcoming his usual carefulness of detail and thorough investigation. JACOBSON GAINING GROUND. J. F. Jacobson’s campaign is fast gaining momentum as the day of election draws near. His swing around the state and his personal contact with and appeal to the elec- torate is turning the trick. One can not long remain in his presence with- out being impressed with the belief that he is the same “old Jake” who fought the battles of the people through many sessions of the legis- lature. The sincerity of his every statement made on the stump is evident. First of all Mr. Jacobson will be governor of Minnesota during all the time for which he will be elected and of all of the people. His past official life indicates that there is no ground to base any other opinion upon. It may be true that Mr. Jacobson may have had some undesirable support in the conven- tion, but itis a fact nevertheless that his nomination remained for the country districts to bestow, in that he would have received the high honor without the votes of Hennepin, Ramsey and St. Louis counties. CAUSTIC COMMENT. (A. G. Rutledge.] Doubtless it would interest an oyster to know that there are two hundred ways of cooking it. Many a man adopts a political career when he finds that a Prince Albert suit sets nicely on him, Judging from the way in which some people are jumping on it, Mr. Bryan’s banking plank must be a spring board. A soldier has been discharged from the army for eating green apples. At that the sentence was probably the lighter part of his pun- ishment. Some folks think that happiness consists not so much in having whatyou want as in having what you think others want a great deal more than you do. The Michigan Woman’s Club allows its members to wear on their hats only the feathers of domestic fowls. Vet few will call this a chicken-hearted crusade. “The Spoor. “I'm gunning for railroads,” an- nounced the trust buster. “Then come with me,” whispered the near humorist. “I can show you some of thelr tracks.”—Southwestern’s Book. Beware of the man who does not re- turn your blow; he neither forgives yon nor allows you to forgive yourself.— George Bernard Shaw, PROMINENT DEFECTIONS FAOM BAYAN CONTINUE Democratic Leaders from Coast te Coast Refect Vagaries of the Nebraska Weather Vane. William Prentiss of Chicago Says Bryan as President Would He & Fallure—Southern Lifelong Demo= erats Repudiate the Candidate Who Tramples on His Ideals te Catch Votes. The number of prominent Democrats all over the country who have an- nounced their desertion of Bryan and have advised their friends to vote for Taft and Sherman is a matter of grave concern to Mr. Bryan's managers. In Richmond, Va., always a rock-ribbed citadel of Democracy, a Taft business men's club has been organized, with hundreds of members, and in Baltimore the defections of leading Democrats bas become the subject of a dally se- rial in the newspapers. These illus- trations are given not because they are exceptional in this campaign, but be- cause of their geographical location. In Chicago a sensation was caused by Willlam Prentiss, who announced that he will support Taft instead of Bryan for President and Deneen in- stead of Stevenson for Governor. Mr. Prentiss has been a Democratic lead- er in Chicago for several years. He was Civil Service Commissioner under Mayor Dunne and has several times been Democratic candidate for judge. In 1898 he was chairman of the Demo- cratic State convention. He was for- merly an ardent Bryan partisan. In a letter made public recently Mr. Prentiss charges Bryan with betraying his followers and forsaking the prin- ciples for which he stood prior to the present campaign. Mr. Prentiss says: “Bryan claims that he is the man to continue and extend Roosevelt's work, claiming much of it as suggestions of his own. Less than three months ago I preferred Bryan as Roosevelt’s suc- cessor. He was my party leader, in, whom I then had full confidence. But, as before indicated, my faith in Bryan is a relic. Bryan, not the ideal Bryan of the past, but the real Bryan of to- day, surrounded by the Macks, Mur- phys, McGrawe, Taggarts, Sullivans and Joe Baileys et al. of the present- day Democratic party, at the best could be but a dismal failure.” California Democrats for Taft. John J. Barrett, for years one of the most brilliant orators of the Demo- cratic party of California, has regis- tered this year as a Republican. That registration has given the Democratic managers a shock only second to that which they felt when they learned that M. F. Tarpey had deserted the shift- ing cause of Bryan. “My registration speaks for itself,” said Mr. Barrett. “When asked to state my politics I said I was a Re publican. That tells the tale.” Barrett preached Democratic doe- trines from all the stumps of Califor- nia. Reasons of a North Carolinan. Regardless of past affiliations,..stu- dents of affairs, delvers and thinkers, are fast lining up for Judge Taft. A recent example is that of Silas McBee, editor of the Churchman, of New York. In an interview he says: “I am a North Carolinan by birth and a lifelong Democrat. I shall vote for Mr. Taft because he has it in his heart to bring my people of the South back into absolute union with the national life and to their historic place as a con- trolling force in the nation, and to do which would {mmortalize him as a statesman. “I shall vote for him because he more nearly represents my ideals of govern- ment, of social order and economic pol- icy than any living Democrat, or any man before the people to-day, save alone Theodore Roosevelt, who is the only Republican President I have ever voted for. Mr. Taft has administered every trust committed to him by the na- tion with an eye single to the nation’s good and for the highest interests of the people that compose the nation.” The Roster in Baltimore. Mr. George R. Willls, former presi- dent of the Police Board of Baltimore and Democrat of the old school will cast the first Republican vote since he attained his majority. Mr. Willis w'll vote for Taft. “Under no circumstances cowid I vote for Bryan,” sald he, “for the reason that I do not believe he is since ¢, and if sincere, 18 not a good man for P resi- dent of the United Srates.” “How do you gauge public senti- ment?” Mr. Willis was asked. b “Among my clientele I know of no one who will vote for Bryan. There is not a Democrat who favors him.” Ancther prominent southern Demo- crat who will voté for Taft is Mr. W. A. Garrett, chief executive officer to the recelvers of the Seaboard Alr Line Railway Company. Mr. Garrett's reasons for supporting the Republican candidate are that he is the candidate of the business men and his election would be for the best interests of the country. Mr. Garrett says he has noticed a leaning toward Taft in several of the Southern States and instanced Alabama one of these. Two men who have always been prominent in Democratie circles in Bal- timore who have announced that they did not think enough of Bryan to vote for him, and that they would support Tatt instead, are Mr. John B. Semmes, one of the prominent lawyers of Balti- more and president of the School Board, and Mr. Leigh Bonsal, who in years past has been one of the most sctive workers in the Democratic party. Both men said that. they could mot stand for Bryan and his policles. of Démocrdcy wiis dn especial shock to the Bryan men in the State. They had counted on him as one of the prize spellbinders during tbe coming cam- paign, and had no idea but that he was an ardent supporter of the Democratic nominees. “When and where will it suit you best to speak during the com- ing campaign in behalf:of Mr. Bryan?" Mr, Bryan's friends in Maryland wrote him. When Mr. Bonsal replied that he intended to vote for Taft the corre- spondence. ceased. Major Richard M. Venable, former president of the Baltimore Park Board and one of the most.prominent Inde- pendent Democrats in Maryland, has declared for Taft and against Bryan. “I am for Taft,” said Major Venable, 8 I do not agree with Mr. Bryan's opinions on the various questions now confronting the public, “He has not the judgment and tem- perament of a statesman. - A statesman knows that no matter how desirable a reform-may be he must take short steps in accomplishing it. He knows that it mind and the new machinery of admin- istration must be educated and adapted to introduce such radical changes as are contained in Mr. Bryan's program, even conceding for the argument that he is right.” Waldo Newcomer, president of the National Exchange Bank of Baltimore, says that although he believes in the principles of the Democratic party and would like to cast his ballot for the Democratic ticket, he finds it impossible to support Bryan and his ideas. Mr. Newcomer characterized the Bry- an plank in the Denver platform guar- anteeing deposits in banks as nonsen- sical and unnecessary. He said the scheme smacked of paternalism, and is not founded upon sound or good busi- ness principles. Mr. Newcomer said he did mot re- gard Mr. Bryan as the type of man to make a satisfactory or safe President, and felt that the interests of the coun- try and the people as a whole would be far better promoted this time by the election of Mr. Taft, in whose sanity, soundness and honesty every- one who knows him has the utmost confidence. Frederic R. Coudert, for years a prominent New York Independent Dem- ocrat, has stated that he intends to vote for Taft. . J. E. Smith, vice president of the Simmons Hardware Company of St Louis, whose politics heretofore has been Democratic, has come out for Taft. He says many other Democrats among St. Louis business men will mark their ballots the same way. New York Newapaper Deseris Bryan, The Ithaca (N. Y.) Chronicle, a newspaper heretofore Democratic, has broken with that party and joined the opposition, saying: “Believing that there is no hope for reasonable men in the Democracy un- der its present leaders; refusing to truckle to the misfit combination of Populism, Socialism, corruption and bossism presented under the guise of Democracy, the Chronicle takes fita stand firmly for Taft and Sherman, for Hughes and his running mate.” WILLIAM H. TAFT AND PAGIFIG GOMMERGE The Constructive Genius of Our Oriental Trade-Empire. Oarried the Torch of Civilization te Antipodes—Made Secure Our Far Eastern Commercial Supremacy. During the past ten years, under & constructive Republican policy, the United States has assumed a position i the Pacific Ocean which s destined to give her the bulk of the vast com- merce of the countries situated on the sreatest body of water on the globe. Some of the things accomplished by the party of enlightened freedom and patriotism have been: The securing of the open door in China; the preser- vation of the integrity of the Chinese Empire; the acquisition of the Philip- pines; the establishment of coaling sta- tions across the Pacific and finally the transfer of the American fleet of bat- tleships from the Atlantic to the Pacl- fic to modestly remind the Oriental na- tions that, having assumed the posi- tion of a world power in the Pacific, | we are prepared to maintain it against all comers. America and Japan in Pacifie. Two wars have caused the whole world to realize that the Pacific Ocean is to be the scene of the greatest hu- man actlvities in the future. ‘The war of the United States with Spain gave us possessions which bring us within speaking distance of Asia, and the Russo-Japanese war revealed Japan to the world as a powerful and progres- sive nation, whose future sphere of ac- tion would of necessity be within the boundaries of the ocean separating America from the Orient. Taft a Constructive Stateaman. The Honorable Willlam H. Taft has been one of the chief advisers and strongest advocates of the Republicin administration policy -during this for- mative and historic period. He has been a pioneer, not only along the lines of statecraft, which have had for their object the development of our western states, but he has given particular at- tontion to the situation in the Orlent with reference to the future commerce between those far away countries and the Pacific coast of America. In his own inimitable way and unit- ing a unique personality with the high- est authority as a diplomat, he poured oll on the troubled waters in Japan and changed the political storm there raging, into a placid sunshine of peace. In China he created such enthusiasm a8 the Orientals have never shown to any other visitor and left that empire with the belief on their part that the United States i8 not only ready to en- ter inte commercial reciprocity, but to | 8tlll stand as China’s friend and Jend cannot be done in a day. The publie | to see that BHe gets Jus- tice from those who would violate her territorial integrity. Tatt Oriental Trade. In his Shanghai speech, addressing & body of influential merchants, diplo- mats and Chinese government officials, Mr. Taft spoke in part as follows: “We do not complain of 1oss of trade that results from the employment of great enterprise, ingenuity or attention to the demands of the Chinese market, or the greater business'acumen shown by our competitors. We would have the right to protest: at being secluded from the trade of China by reason of our insistence of the policy of the Open Door. The acquiescence in this policy of all the natlons interested has been 0 unhesitating and emphatic that it is hardly worth while to specu- late upon the probable action of the United States in case the interests of American merchants are placed in jeop- ardy, and how far the: United States would go in the protection of its Chi- | Dese trade, I cannot say. It 1S clear, | however, that our merchants are being | roused to the importance of the Chi- nese trade and they would view with deep concern any and all political ob- stacles which menace that expansion. “This feeling is llkely to find expres- sion in the action of the American gov- ernment. The United States and the other powers favor the open door, and it they are wise they will encourage the Empire to take long steps in ad- ministrative and governmental reform, the development of the resources of Ching, and the improvement of the wel- fare of the people. To do this would 2dd to China's strength and position a self-respecting government and aid her in preparing to resist possible for- elgn aggression in the seeking of undue and exclusive proprietary privileges. Thus no foreign aid will be required to enforce the open door and the policy of equal opportunity for all.” History Making Happenings. During recent Republican administra- tlons we have built up an export trade with the Far East of something like $150,000,000 per year. We have landed an army on Chinese territory, and have been drawn willy-nilly into the vortex of the Far Eastern question. During the period policies have been formulated which have compelled us to take a hand In momentous negotiations. We have definitely enrolled the Far East among the objects of our commercial and diplo- matic sollcitude. Things have changed much during this ten years of Republi- ean rule. The United States has come Into pos- Session of the Philippines and all the political and strategical responsibilities entailed by this movement. The partiel- pation in, and suppression of, the Boxer rebellion, the expanding recognitiom of the supreme importance to the future of American trade, of the open door, the realization that, with the exception of Japan, no country is so well situated as the United States, industrially and geographically, to make the most and the best of ‘the development of China. These and. other events have trans formed American indifference to the fortunes of the Far Bast into a real, live, tingling and vigilant concern. Logical Commercial Events, H | It did not need the Chinese boycott of American goods, or the outbreak of ; the trouble with Japan over the immi- gration question, to convince an impar- tial onlooker that Amerioa’s relations with the powers of the Far East would, before long, be more immediate, of greater moment and possibly of greater hazard than our relations with the powers of Europe. The American fleet has foreshadowed the systematic asser- tion of American power in the Pacifis. American interests in that ocean, com- mercial, political and territorial, have been neglected far too long. Father ef the Philippines. Mr. Taft is in a sense the father of the Philippines. It has been his kindly, constructive statesman’s hand that evolved order out of their original chaos. Im his report submitted to Con- gress, as a result of his visit to the Philippines to be present at the opening of their first Assembly, he made four recomimendations. First—action by Con- gress admitting to the United Btates Philippine products under such condi- tions that they would not interfere with Americap tobacco and sugar in- dustries; second, the removal of re- strictions as to acquiring mining claims and lands; third, further legislation authorizing the govermment to carry on an agricultural bank, which is now authorized only as a private enterprise; fourth, the repeal of the law applying to the Islands the coastwise laws of the United States. Philosophy ef Development. Our nation has grown by obeying the instinct of development. We are to-day entitled to be called Greater Amerioa, but that greatness will be.lost if we forget the-political philosophy which has made us great—expansion of Amer- lcan thought, territory, mechanical skill, clvilization and philosophy. This is an auspicious time for the creation and de- velopment of our export trade. The un- explored and undeveloped markets of Asia furnish the opportunity. All other fields have been occupied, and to at- tempt to wrest them from other nations would be of doubtful -expediency. In the Orlent the commercial possibilities exceed the dreams of the optimist. Are the American people ready to abandon such a situation and leave it to the mercy of the Democratic party with Its failure of fifty years looking at us from the past? . Mr. Taft says that he stands on his record. No particular credit to Taft in that. Anybody would be glad to stand on the kind of record he has.— Topeka Capital. How:s [his? We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward for any case of Catarrh that cannot be cured by Hall's Catarrh Cure. o {i‘ CHE!:E}YHE 004).( Tolafioi‘o o e, the undersigned, have known F. J. Cheney for the last 15 years, and belleve him perfect)y honorable in all business transac- tions and financially able to carry out any obligations made by his firm. ‘WALDING, KINNAN & MARVIN, ‘Wholesale Druggists, Toledo, O. Hall's Catarrh Cure is taken internally, directly- upon the bls and mucous e system. Testimonials sent tree, Price7s cents per botle. Sold by all Druggist: 1l's Pamily Pills for constipation. | "2, 77e2" ineges. ualversittes, =2 all Destroyed the Old English Law As- sumption that Unfon Labor Is a Conspiracy. (From the Emporia (Kan.) Gazette. The simple fact 18 that no man has done more to place union labor on a sound, square, law-abiding, respected footing than Willlam H. Taft by his decisions in labor cases. Both employ- ers and employed have acknowledged the justice of his decisions and learned to abide by them, and to-day there is not an intelligent worker or fair- minded cmployer who would seek to abrogate them. Judge Taft lifted union labor from the doubt and uncertainty as to its rights which had before prevented and gave it a standing which it has ever since retained, and which has proved under his rulings, secure against all attack. The old assumption, derived from Eungland, that union labor is a conspiracy, and that workers could be prevented from leaving rallway or other employment at their will, was swept away forever by Judge Taft so far as the United States is concerned, and when an attempt was made, years ‘later, to revive the principle, Judge Taft's decision was quoted successfully by the labor side to defeat the plea. Mr. Taft was and 18 labors’ friend, because he is absolutely. just, and would no more permit wrong to be done to the poorest laborer in the land than he would to any one else. And the honest, law-abiding workers asks and expects no more than thi: Proposed Amendments —TO0 THE— Constitution —OF— Minnesota —BY— TheLegislature General Session, 1907. St. Paul, Minn., May 1st, 1908. Hon. Julius 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 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 8tate 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 belng the amendment to said Ar- ticle nine (9), adopted in 1896), which sections now read as follows: «“gection 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 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 coilected a tax upon all inher- itances, devises, bequests, legacies and gifts of every kind and description atove 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. “Section 2. The legislature shall pro- vide for an annual tax suficient 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 vear shall exceed the fncome of the state for such year the leglslature shall provide for levying a tax for the ensuing vear sufficient, with other sources 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. i “gection 3. Laws shall be passed tax- tng_all moneys, credits, investments in bonds. stocks, joint stock companles, or otherwise, also all real and personal property, according to its true value in money; but public burying grounds, pub- lc - school .. bouses, public hospitals, {of purely 2 3 eTTATIes. feArning, av cHUFChES, TAFT'S SERVICHE TO LABOR. | SSMUETEY o (EUME. 2iotns 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 indlyidual, 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, so that all property employed In banking shall always be subject to a tax- tion 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 all 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; alse upon the property within this state of any and all forelgn insurance companies doing business in this state of any kind; also wupon the property within this state of a¥V owners or operators of any and all mine: 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 tate, but may be graded or progressive, * 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 of 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 assessment or taxation of any farm land or ordinary business blocks or property owned by any such corporation, persom, 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 religious pur- poses, and houses of worship, institutions 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 herein contained shall be construed to affect, modify or repeal any existing law providing for the taxa- tion of the gross earnings of raflroads.” This proposed constitutional amend= ment was submitted and voted upon at the last election and was declared ca ried. But a contest was Instituted by In- terested parties, claiming that the amen: 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 elect'on, 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 s required to have a CASH VALUATION equalized throughout the state. Sectlon 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. Sectlon 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. Sectlon 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 relieve from the operation of sections one (1) and three (3), above quoted, property of the classes therein 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® Constl- tution many amendments were from time to time added so as to permit taxes to be Imposed on specific kinds of property otherwlse than upon a cash valuation equalized throughout the state. We have among these exceptions railroad gross earnings taxes; municipal frontage taxes; Inheritance taxes; and the gross earnings taxes duthorized 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 public 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 the 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 subjects. Under this amend- ment every tax law we now have on the statue books would continue to be valid, because under this amendment all iimita- 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 adepte contained In sala Sectlan cevemers i1 ot In their glve the legisiature greater authority. Under this amendment the power to Im- pose Inheritance taxes would-be unlimit- — &, and any form oF 97088 earnings tax would be valld. The gross éarnings tax on railroads 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 a wvote of the people. But with this amend- be Imposed, notably an Income tax, a ton= nage tax on Iron ore and a rec try tax on mortgages. Under the pres:nt Corstitue 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 requires all sub. Jects of taxation to have a cash valua- tlon with the tax equalized throughout the state, no proper Income tax could be Imposed. SECOND PROFOZED AMTNDMENT. The second propcsed zmendment |Is contalned 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 t Constitution, which section now reads as 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 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 onc (1) mill on he taxable property within the state. he 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 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- ceive 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 expended during such year; and, provided further, that no .more than one-third (1-3) of such fund accru- ing in any vear 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 suca fund,” and to substitute therefor the following: “Section 16. For the purpose of lend- ing aid in the construction and improve- ment of public ways and bridges, there is hereby ted a fund to be known as_the Rond and Bridge Fund.’ Said fund shail inciude all moneys accruing from the income derived from investments in the ternal improvement land fund, or that may hercafter accrue to said fund, and shall also include all funds accruing to any state road and bridge fund. however provided. “The legislature 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 authorize the legislature to levy upon ail the property of the state any amount necessary, In its judgment, for the benefit of the roads and bridges therein, and In 50 far removes the fimita- 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 one (1) mill on the taxahle property within the state. This arwendment further authorizes the legislature to provide salary and compen- sation, includirg personal expenses In- curred In the perfermance of duty by the highway commission, or any other like officer entrusted by law with similar du- ties. Finaily, this amendment removes ths limitation which ncw exists 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, 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 wliil 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 lcgislature 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 mada of any such damages except from the fund so provided.” The purpose and efiect of amend- ment Is to authorize the legisiature to permit the state to become the trustee in the collection and disbursement 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 lznds of such persons ONLY as shall VOLUNTARILY list 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 legls- 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 sald fund and from no other. The state would assume no re- sponsibillty beyond the amount of such fund, 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 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 people in the district wherein he shall have resided thirty days previous to such clection, 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 provisions of this article shall be entitled to vote at any electicn shall be eligible to any offics which now is, or hereaffer shall be, eleca tive by the people in the district wherein he shall have resided thirty days previous fo such election, except county super- intendents of schools, who shail be re- quired to have educational qualifications to be determined by the legislature, and except as otherwise provided in this Con- stitution, or the Constitution and laws of the Tnited States.” The purpese and effect of this amends ment is to authorize the legislature to re- quire educational qualifications, In addl. tlon to all the other qualifications naw r quired by law, for any person seeking the office of county superintendent of schools. As the Coastituticn ncw otands any fegal voter Is eligible to the office of county superintedent of schools. The foregoing four proposed amen ments constitute all the amendments pr posed for adoption at the ensuing General Election. _ Yours respectfully, EDWARD T, YOUNG, L Attorney General. ment various new forms of taxation could _