Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 23, 1914, Page 9

i - {, %0 i e | g . FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1914 THE ELEVEN Proposed - Amend- ments to the Constitution of the STATE OF MINNESOTA Submitted by the Legislature at Its General Session, 1913, Together With a Statement of the PURPOSES AND EFFECTS, Prepared by Hon. - Lyndon A. Smith, Attorney General of Minnesota. Addressed to Julis A. Schmahl Secretary of State. OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GEN« ERAL, ST. PAUL. April 25, 1914, Honorable Julius A. Schmahl, Secretary of State, Capltol. SIR: As required by Section 48, General Statutes of the State of Min- nesota for the year 1913, I 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 Legislature of 1913, and which are to be submitted to the electors of said State at the general election in 1914, FIRST PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The first proposed amendment is con- tained in Chapter 584 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1913. PURPOSE: By this amendment it fs mought to enable the electors to submit by petition to the Legisiature ' consti- tutional amendments and lkewise to propose lexislation, and in the event the Legislature fails to submit any such counstitutional amendment or failx to emact any such pruposed Iaw, then such amendment or proposed law may be submitted directly (o the voters; 0. to permit the electors to cause auy law or laws enacted by the Legis- Iature to be submitted to the electors and if a majority of the votes cast thereon be opposed to such law, the same shall be repealed. Thix is an amendment to Section 1 of Article 4 of the Comstitution, which law reads an follows: 3 “Section 1. The legislature shall consist of the Senate and House of Representatives, which shali meet bi- ennially at the seat of government of the State, at such time as shall be pre- poribed by law, but no session shall ex- esed the term of ninety (90) legisile 3 Quring the last twenty (20) days o ernor.” and substitutes therefor the followings ‘ “Sec. 1. TWO HOUSES—SES- SIONS.—The Legislature shall con- 8ist of the senate and house of rep- resentatives, which shall meet bi- . ennially at the seat of government of the state, at such time as shall be prescribed l':iy law, but no ses- sion. shall exceed the term of ninet (90) legislative days, and no bi shall e introduced in either branch, except on the written re- quest of the governor, during the last twenty days of such session, except the attention of the legisla- ture shall be called to some impor: tant matter of general interest by & .special message from the gov- ernor; but the people reserve to lthemselves direct power, as fol- ows: “a. CONSTITUTIONAL INITIA- TIVE.—When at any time prior to the commencement ‘of any session of the legislature, there shall have been filed with the secretary of state ~ a petition proposing an amendment to the constitution signed’ by two per centum of the electors of the.state, the secre- tary of state shall transmit the same to the legislature not later than ten days after the commence- ment of the session. If the amend- ment so proposed be not submitted to the eléctors by the legislature at such session, or If it be sub- mitted in an amended form, then upon a further petition or petitions, each signed by eight per centum of the glectors of the state, filed with the secretary of state within six months after the adjournment of the legislature, the amendment proposed In the first petition, or one or more amended forms thereof, shall be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection at the next general or special Wtate- wide election, occurring not less than ninety days after the filing of any such further petitions. Any amendment proposed by initiative petition and, in its orjginal or in an amended form, submitted to_the electors by the legislature or by a further petition, shall become a part of the constitution, it approved v a majority of the electors vot- ing at said “electjon, or by four- sevenths of the electors voting on the proposed amendment; provided not less than three-sevenths of the electors voting at said election voted for the proposed amendment. This section shall be construed as a means in addition to Section one, Article fourteen of the State Con- stitution for amending the same. “b. STATUTORY INITIATIVE— ‘When at any time prior to the com- mencement of any session of the legislature, there shall have been filed: with the secretary of state a etition proposing a law, signed by 'wo per centum of the.electors of the state, the secretary of state shall transmit the same to the le {slature not later €han ten da; after the commencement of the ses- sion. If the law so proposed be not passed by the legislature at such session, or if it be passed in an amended form,xthen upon a further petition or petitions, each signed by six per centum of the electors of the state, filed with the secretary of state within six months after the adjournment of the legislatur the law proposed in the first pe! tion, or one or more amended for: thereof, shall be submitted to t! electors at the next general or s cial state-wide election, occurring not less than ninety days after the filing of any such further petition or petitions, and if approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon, the same shall become law and go into effect thirty days after such election, and shall supersede any amended form of such law which may have been passed by the lefilslmur& No law proposed by Initiative petition and approved by the electors shall be subject to tg'e veto of the governor. The au- thority of the Taople to enact laws, as provided 'In "this subdivision, shall extend only to laws author- 1zed by the proyisidns of the com- atitution, ‘. THE REFERENDUM.—If within ninety days after the final adjournment of any session of the legislature, a referendum petition, signed by six per centum of the electors of the state, shall be filed with the secretary of state against any law, or any part of a law, passed by the legislature at such session, such law, or such part of a law, shall be submitted to the eléctors at the next general or spe- ‘elal state-wide election, occurring not less than ninety days after the filing of said petition. If a ma- ?or!ty of the vote cast thereon be n the negative, such law, or such part of a law, shall thereby be re- pealed. Provided, that if a ref- erendum petition is signed by fif- teen per centum of the electors of the state, the law or part of a law, against which such petition 1s filed shall be suspended pending the. referendum vote thereon. “Any law providing for a tax levy or appropriating money for the current expenses of the state government or state institutions, any act of the legislature submit- ting a constitutional amendment or other question to the electors of the state, or any emergency law necessary for the immediate pres- ervation of the public peace. health or safety, shall go into effect im- mediately upon its passage and ap- roval by thé governor, and such aws, except emergency laws, shall not be subject to a referendum vote. All other laws shall go into effect ninety days after the ad- fournment of the legislature. A bill proposing an emergency law shall contain a preamble briefly set- ting forth the facts constituting the emergency. A separate vote shall be taken upon the preamble of such bill by a call of the yeas and nays, and if the preamble :be adopted by a t!o-fitlrds vote of all the members of each house, it shhil be an tmergency law. Y “d. GENERAL PROVISIONS.— All petitions provided for in this section shall contain a title indi- “cating the subject and purpose of the proposed law or constitutional amendment, or the law, or part of a law, to be referred, and if a change is proposed in an existing constitutional provision or statute, in additlon to referring to the same," it shall state the general effect of the proposed change, and also the full text of the proposed law or amendment to the eonstitution or of the law, or part of a law, to be referred. Any initiative or refer- endum petitiomr may be signed in separate parts, but each part shall conform to the provisions herein contained. All petitions shall be signed and verified Refore a person authorized to administer an oath, and shall be in such form that a person signing a petition thereby states under oath, the date of his signature, his residence that he is & qualified elector, that he has not previously signed any part of such petition, and that he has signed the petition with knowledge of the con- tents thereof. To each part of such etition shall be attached the affi- avit of the person before whom the same was signed. which affida- vit shall contain a statemént of the number: .of signers thereon, that each of.the signatures attached to such paft was made in the pres- ence of tite affiant, that to the best - of his knowledge and belief each signature is the genuine signature of the person whose name it pur- ports to be, that he believes the )ersons who have signed such peti- flun to be electors, that they signed such petition with<knowledge of .the contents thereof, and that each person signed the same on the date stated -opposite his name.- -The ci culation of the petitions provi for herein, or the prohibitio) the circulation thereof, m regulated by law, ard in case tded cof - be the i o tive days; and no new bill shall be in- troduced “in either branch, except on the written request of the gnvamori such sessions, except the attention of the legislature shall be called to some important matter of general interest Yy a special message from the gov=- sirculation of any petition is pro- hibited by law, the percentage of _ signers required on any petition Erovided for in this Bection shall e one-hdlf of the percentage speci= fled in subdivisions &, B and C of this section. “The percentage in any case shall Be based upon the total number of votes cast for govegnor at the next preceding election. petitions provided for in this section shall contain the signature of mnot less than one-half of the designated fercflnlfase of the elestors in not ess than one-fourth of the coun- ties of the state. In initiating & law or constitutiondl amendment, electors who have signed the first shall be _qualified to sign the sec- ond petifion. The sufficiency of all petitions shill be decided by the Secretary of state subject to review by the court. If the secretary of state decides that'any petition is insufficient, he shall permit a rea- sonable’ time for making correc- tions or for filing additional sig- natures. In the event of legal pro- ceedings in court to prevent giv- ing effect to any such petition on account of insufficiency, or any other. ground, the burden of prooZ shall be upon the person attacking the petition. No law or amendment to the constitution initiated and approved by the electors as here- in provided, shall be held unconsti- tutional, or void on account of the insufficiency of any initiative peti- tion; nor shall the repeal of any law submitted by referendum peti- tion be held invalid for such insuf- ficiency. “All initiative laws and constitu- tional amendments shall be so sub- mitted to the electors as to permit an affirmative or negative vote . upon each measure submitted. If: conflicting proposed laws or con- flicting proposed amendments -to the constitution be approved at the - same election, the one receiving the highest number of ~affirmative votes shall prevail as to conflicting provisions. “The style of all legislative meas- ures and amendments to the consti- tution initizted by the people under this section shall be; ‘Be it en- acted by the people of the State of Minnesota.’ ' “The provisions of this section may be enforced by appropriate legislation, but until such legisla- tion has been enacted, this section shall be self-executing. EFFECT: The effect of this amend~ ment, if adopted, will be to give to the electors the privilege of submitting di- rectly to the \voters constitutional amendments, proposed legislation and the right to suspend and annul laws ¢énacted by the Legislature. SECOND PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The second’ proposed amendment {s “contained in Chapter 585 of the Laws of Minnesota for ‘the yedr 1913. PURFPOSE: The purpose’and object of this amendment is to add two Awso- ciate Justices to (la\Snpr‘ne Court; to Tequire the concurrence of five Justicen of the Supreme Court before any law. shall be declared- unconstitutional by such court, and make the office of Clerk of the Supreme Court sppointive, and an amendnent of Section 2 of Article @ of the Constitution, which law _reads as follows: “Sec. 2. The supreme court shall con- sist of one chief justice and two asso- ciate justices, but the number of the associate justices may be Increased to & number not exceeding four, by the legislature, by a two-thirds vote, when it shall be deemed necessary. It.shall have original jurisdiction in ‘such reme- dial cases as may be prescribed by law, and appellate jurisdiction in all cases, both In law, and equit§ but there shall be no trial' by jury iff said court’ It shall hold one or “nore terms in each year, as the legislature may direct, at the seat of government, and the lefj lature may provide, by a two-thirds vote, that one term in each year shall. be beld in each or any judiclal district, It Bhlaltl be the dtuty o‘t x:ucndco rt to appoint a reporter o ts decisiong, . TYIeI'B shall be ehosen, by the quall.fl& electors of the State, orde clerk of the supreme court, who shall hold his office’ for the term of four years, and until his successor is duly elected and quali- fled, and the judges 'of the supreme court, or a majority of them, ihalr have the power to fill any vacancy in the office of clerk of the supreme court uj til an eléction can be regularly had.” and substitutes therefor the followings “Sec. 2. The supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and six associate justices. Five shall con- stitute a quornm, and the concur- rence of at least four shall be necessary to a decision, but no statute shall be declared unconsti- tutional unless five members of_the court shall concur in the decision. It shall have original jurisdiction in such remedial cases ‘as may be rescribed by law, and appellate ?urisdicuon in all’ cases, both in law and equity, but there shall he no trial by jury in said court. It shall hold one or more terms in each year, as the legislature may direct, at the seat of government, and the legislature may provide, by a two-thirds vote, that one term In each year shall be held In each or any judicial.district. It shall be the duty of such court to appoint a reporter of its decisions, and .a Clerk of the supreme court.” EFFECT: The present constitution provides that the number of Ammoclate Justlces of the Supreme Court ahall not exceed’ ‘four In’ number, while the amendment, if adopted. will Increawe the nuuibiér to six. A mafority of the Supreme Court may now declare a law unconstitutional, but if this amendment s adopted, it will require the coneur- rence of five members. The office of clerk of the Supreme Court is now elec- tive, but If this amendment fs adopted, the clerk of the Smpreme Court will be appointed by the court. THIRD PROPOSED AMENDMENT, The third proposed amendment is contained in Chapter 586 of the Laws of Minnesota forithe year 1913.~ PURPOSE: By this amendment It is sought to authorize the State to com- stract roads, ditches, fire breaks through and around unsold state school and swamp lands, and a $250,000 re- volving fund, realized and kept up from the 'sale of such lands, fx to be set apart for such purpose. This is an amend- ment of Section 2 of Article 8 of the Constitution, which law reads as fol- lows: ; “Section 2. The tproceeds of such lands as are or hereafter may be grant- ed by the United States for the ‘use of schools within each township of this State shall remain a perpetual school furd to the State; and not more than one-third (35) of said lands may ‘be sold in two (2) years, one-third (%) in five years, and one-third (14)_.in ten (10) years but the lunds of the greatest valuation shall be sold first; provided,. that no.pontion of said lands shall be sold otherwise than at public sale. - The principal “of- all funds arising from suas or other disposition of ' lands or ther -property, granted or entrusted to this State in each township for edu- ‘cational purposes, shall forever be'pre- “| served ‘inviolate and undiminished; and the income arising from the Jease-or sale of said school lands shall be dis- tributed to the different townships throughout the'State, in' proportion’ to the number of scholars in eath town- ship, between the ages of five and twenty-one ‘vears and lhnll\aa lfifip jects ‘of tully applied to the specific 4 Tier. B * the original grants o -appropriati “Investment - of = Funds.—Suitable laws shall be enactett by the legisla- ture for the safe investment of the rincipal of all funds which have here- ofore arisen or which may hereafter arise from the sale or other disposi- tion of such lands, or the income such lands accruin; the sale or disposition in any wey before theseof, in Inter- est-bearing bonds of the United Stats or of the State of Minnesota, issu after the year one thousand eight hun- dred and-sixty (1860), or of such other state as the legislature may, by from time to time direct. law, o 2 “Swamp Lands.—Division of rO- ceéds: _All swamp'lands now hahf by the State, or that may hereafter accrue fo the atate, shall be appraised andsold n the same manner and by' the same officers, and the minimum price shall be the same, less one-third ( provided b: and sale o ), as is law for the appraisement the school lands under the provisions of title one (1) of Chapter utes. thlrty-e,gghtfi(({x) of the General Stat- e rived from sales of swamp all funds de- rincipal of s do- aforesald, shall forever be preserved |(nl/:§olate and undiminished. ~One-h: shall be appropriated to school fundm:)r rt‘he state. of the proceeds of said principal e common 'he remain- ing one-half (1) shall be aporopriated to-the educational and charital ble insti- tutions of the State in the relative ratio of cost to support.said institu- tions,” and adds thereto the followings “A revolving fund of not over Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dol- lars . ($250,000) may be set apart from® the funds derfved from the sale ‘of school and swamp lands, be Wsed in constructing T : ditches and fire breaks in, throngh and ‘around unsold school ‘and swamp lands, such fund to be re- fler\ished as long as needed from he enhanced value realized from g;edcale of such lands so bene- ed.” . EFFECT: The effect of this amend- ment, if adopted, will be to permit the State to improve the school and swamp lands of the State out of mom s de- rived from the sale of such lands, and to bring the State into line with the conditions of the Swamp Land Grant as to drainage of such lands, by providing a revolying fund therefor; pending the ultimate application of the avalls of such grant to the common school fund of ‘IIQ: State and the educational and charitable institutions thereof. FOURTH . PROPOSED AMENDMENT. THe \fourth proposed amendment is contaified in Chapter 587 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1913, PURFPOSE: By this amendment it is proposed to repeal the' provisions of Section 11'of Article 9 of the onstitu- tion, which section. now reads as fol- lows: - “Section 11. There shall'be published by the treasurer, in at least one news- paper ‘printed at tl ment, Tseat, of fl‘kefi'lpl Week in overn- uring anuary in each year, and in the next volume of ?e acts of legislatire, detailed state- ents of allimoneys:drawn from the reasury during the preceding year, for what purpose and to-whom paid, and by what law duthorized; and also of all moneys. received, and b ty and from whom:" y what author- EFFECT: The Constitution requires the treasurer to publish yearly a de- tailed statement of the moneys drawm from the treasury dur .year, giving the names of the perso to: whom paid amd the purposes for “which it was expended. quires a like statement of the of the perso money received, and im both cases a state |'the State from. the expemse thereof. This change in the Constitution, how- tion mentioned and iusofar relleve the treasurer from such publication the preceding It also re- amnd the sources, as to of the law under which pay- ewts “were made, or momey paid fmto’ the treasury. The effect of this amend- nt, 1f the same. be ‘adopted, will be repesl the sectiom of the Co; ever, would mot prevent the Legisinture from directing by Iaw that such, or a different publication.” of the same or other imformation, should be made by the treasurer. tained in Chapter 588 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1913. PURPOSE: The purpose of this amendment is to permit the permanent school and university fumds of this State to he Invemted in firnt mortgaxe loans upon farm lands of the State. imrroved and cultivated Thix amend- ment would change Section 6 of Article 8 of the Constitution, which now reads as follows: Sec. 6. The permanent sthool and university fund“of tnis state may be fnvested in the bonds of any county, school distric . city, lown or village of this etate, but no such investment shall be made until approved by the. board of comm; oners designated by law to regulate the investment.of the perma- nent school fund and the permanent university fund of this state; nor shall such loan or investment be made when the bonds to be issued or purchased would make the entire bonded indebt- dness exceed fifteen (15) per cent of the assessed valuation of the taxable real p operty of the county, school dis- trict, city, town or village issuing such bonds: nor shall such loans or indebt- edness be made at a lower rate of in- terest than thrée (3) per cent per an- num, nor for a shorter period than five (5) vears, nor for a longer period than twenty . ! FIFTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT., “"The fifth proposed amendment 1s con- U (20) vyears, and no change of the town, school district, city, village or of county lines shdll relieve the real property in such town, school district, county, village or city in this state at the time of -t from any such bon and substifute therefor the following: this state at the time e issuing of such bonds ity for taxation to pay “Section 6. The permanent school and university fund of this state may; be invested in.the bonds of any 'county, school district, city, town or village of this state, an in first mortgage loans secured upon improved and cultivated farm lands of 'this state. But no such in- vestment or loan shall be made un- til g.Pprovefl by the board of com- missioners designated by law to regulate the Investment of" the permanent school fund and: the permanent university fund of this state nor shall such loan or invest- ment be made when the bonds to be issued or purchased would make the emtire bonded’ indebted- ness exceed 15 per cent of ithe as- sessed valuation of the taxable /| property of the county, school dis- grict, city, town or village issuing such bonds; nor shall any farm - ~loan or investment be made when such investment or loan would ex- ceed 30 per cent of the actual cash value of the farm land mortgaged - to secure said investment; nor shall such investments or loans be madde z}‘t a lower rotte of interest than three per cent: per annum, mnor for a shorter period than five ef,u, nor for a longer period than a rty years, and no change of the town, school district, city, village or county lines—shall relieve the roperty in such town, ool district, county, village or city in h P honds. from. ny Jiability Sfor such bonds any - lor taxation to pay such bonds. - | 1 | this State in the bonds of amy county, | school district, city, town or village of this State. This amendment, if adopt- ed, will pesmit in addition to the fore- Solng investments, said school and uni- first morigage loans secured upon im- proved and cultivated farm lands of this State.. The present Constitution provides’ that mo investment shall be made for a longer period than twenty years, while the proposed amendment extends the period to thirty years. SIXTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The sixth proposed amendment is contained in Chapter 589 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1913. PURPOSE: The ' purpose of this ‘amendment is to make the term of office of the Judge of Probate four years. This is an amendment of Section 7 of Article 6 of the Constitution, which mow reads follows: “Section 7. There shall be establish- ed in each organized county in. the State atprobate court, which shall be a court of _record, and be held at such time and places as may be prescribed by law. - It &hall be held by one judge, Wwho' shall be elected by the voters of the county for the term of two years. He shall be a resident of such county at the time of his election, and reside therein during his continuance im of- fice; and his compensation shall be pro- vided by law. He may appoint his own clerk where none has been elected; but the legislature may authorize the. elec- tion, by the electors of any county, of one clerk or register of probate for such county, whose powers, duties, term of office and compensation shall be prescribed by law.- A probate court shall have jurisdiction over the estates of deceased persons and persons under guardianship, but no other jurisdiction, except as prescribed by this Constitu- on,” and substitutes therefor the following! “Section 7. Probate Court— Judges to be Elected—Jurisdiction. “There shall be established in. each organized colinty in the state a pro- bate court, which shall be a court of record, and be held at such time and places as may be grescrlbed by law. It shall be held by one judge, who shall be elected by the voters of the county for the term of four years. He shall be a/resident of such county at the time of his'elec- tion, and' reside therein during his continuance in office; and his com- g{ensntlon shall be provided by law. ¢ may appoint his own clerk Where none has been elected; but the legislature may authorize the election by ‘the electors of any county, of one clerk or regifiter of probate for. such county, whose powers, duties, term of.office and compensation. shall be prescribed by law. A probate court shall have Jurisdiction over the estates of de- ceased persons and persons under guardianship, but no other jurisdic- tion except as prescribed "by this Constitution. EFFECT: The present Constitut rovides t the office of Judge of Pro- te shall be two years and if this amendment is adopted the term ot suck oftice will be four years. —_— SEVENTH PROPOSED ADMENDMENT. The seventh prbposed amendment is contained in.Chapter 590 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1913, .PURPOSE: The purpose of sald amendment is to fix limit the num- ber of State Senators. Section 2 of Article 4 of the Consti- ‘tution: now reads as -follows: “Section 2. The number of members who compose the Senate and Houge of Représentatives shall be prescribed by law, but the represemtatives in the Sen- ate shall never exceed one member for every 5,000 inhabitants,” and in the House of Representatives one member for every 2,000 inhabitants. The rep- resentation In both houses shall go\ apportioned equally throughout the different sections of the State, in pro- portion to the population thereof ex- clusive of Indians not taxable under the provisions of law.” Tt is proposed to substitute therefor the following: “Section 1. That Section 2 of Article 4’ of the Constit@tion of the Btate of Minnesota be dmended so as to read as follows: “Section 2. In the next and sue- ceeding reapportionments of:Sen- ators and Representatives, the Sen- ate shall be composed of sixt: three (63) members and the House of Representatives shall be com- posed of such number of members as may be prescribed by law. The representation in both Houses shall -be apportioned as nearly as practi- cable, throughout the different sec- tions of the states in proportion to the population thereof, exclusive of Indians not taxable under the provision$s of law. Provided, how- ever, that a County may be divided into several legislative districts, but no County or any of the parts thereof shall ever constitute or be a part of more than seven (7) Sen- atorial Districts and not more than seven (7) Senators /shall ever be apportioned to any one unty.” . EFFECT: The object of this amend- ment Is to limit the State Senate to sixty-threé¢ members and to prevent any one county having more tham seven menators. EIGHTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT The eighth proposed amendment fs contained in Chapter 591 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1913, PURPOSE: Tke ' purpose of this amendment is to encourage the plant. ing, cultivatic "\ and protection of use. ful forest“tre.s amd it is preposed te add an entirely mew section to Artfele D of the Conmstitution, to be known s Section 17A, aad whick read ams tollows: “Section 1. The following amend-- ment to Article Nine {9) of the Co: stitution of the State of Minnesot 1s hereby proposed to the people o the State of Minnesota, for their approval or rejection, which amend- ment. when adopted, shall be known as Section 17a of sald Article Nine (9). that is to say: “‘Section. 17a. For the pu Versity funds to be Invested also im |- rpose of encouraging the planting, culti. wvation and protection of useful for- est trees in this state, laws may be enacted providing for the payment by the State of an annual bounty of not more than Two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($2.50) F“ acre, for a term, in each case of not more than Ten (10) years, and not exceeding Ten (10) acres, to any one person who shall plant, cultivate and pro- tect nsetur forest trees .upon his + own land'.” EFFECT: This ameadment, if adops ed, will permit the Legisiature to enae; Taws providing for the payment by the State of a limited bounty for a limited term, to persoms who shall plait, cul- tivate and protect useful forest trees wpon their own land. 3 & NINTH PROPOSKD’ AMENDMENT. The ninth proposed amendment f{s econtained in Chapter 592 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1913.- PURPOSE: By this amendment I & yropused to ndd am_emtirely ely mew mees - g:-"to’ ‘Article 8 of the Constitution te " known as Section 7 and which ‘ahalk read as follows: > - “Section 1. The following amends * 2 P e ment to Article eight (8) of the 5 ) Constitution of the State.of Min= nesota is hereby sroposed to the legal voters of safd. state for their approval or their rejection, which amendment-when so approved s| 2 be known as Section seven (7) of said -Article eight (8) and shall read as follows: = 3 ©‘Such of the school and other {zublic lands of the state as are bet= er adapted for the production ef timber than for culture, may be set apart as state schoal forests, pr other state forgsts as'the legias - lature may provide, and the legis= | lature may provide for the manage= ment of the same on forestry prin- The net revenue therefrom shall be used for the purpose for Which the lands were granted to the state’.” o 3 EFFECT: The qffect of this amend ment, if adopted, will authorize the 2 2 Legislature to set apart for atate s school forests or other state forewtm, state public lands which are bettes Rdapted for.timber than for agricale ture, and to manage the same upon fes= estry principles. . —_— TENTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT, The tenth proposed amendment s contained in Chapter 593 of the Laws of Minnesota for the year 1918, By this amendment it s proposed te add to Article 7 of the Constitution am entirely new section, providing for a recall, which shall read as followst Section 1. That Article Seven (T) of the Constitution of the State of Minnesota shall be and the same is hereby amended by adding thereto, at the end of said Arucfia. section, which shall be numbered Section 10 of said Article Seven (T) and which shall read as follows: i “Section 10. Every public offic! in Minnesota, elecuvz (‘)’r ap) olnth‘lt.l shall be subject to recall yrom of- fice by the electors of his official or electoral district as herein pro- vided. A petition demanding “his recall setting forth the reasons therefor, signed by such number of & electors in his district as shall be provided by law, which number | shall not be less ‘than twenty per .. centum or more than. thirty per centum of the total number of - Votes cast for governor in such district at the last preceding elec tion, shall be filea ‘in -the office where petitions ja)r nhomination :to such office are “filed, or in such otker office as may be provided by law, and the officer in whose office ' such petition is filed, shall order a special election for such recall. If | such_official shall resign within five days after such petitfon is filed, ' the vacancy thereby created shall be filled as may Be provided by law; but if he shall not so resign, such special election, to be held within twenty-five days after the filing of the petition, shall be called to de- termine whether such official ] be recalled. - On the official ballot at such election shall be print in not more than two hund words, the reasons for demandin; the recall of such officlal as se forth in the petition, and in not more than two hundred words such official’s justification of his course in office.” Such official shall com- . tinue to rertorm the duties of his office until the result of such elae- tion shall. be officially declared. No such ?etmon shall be signed or . filed against any official until he o shall have held office six months; - 5 g and no petition shall be signed or filed for the recall of anv judicial Y officlal within sixty days of the de~ cision, ruling or act complained of in the petition. Such additions legislation as may ald in the nr eration of this section and proceed- ings - thereunder, shall be provided by law. At such election no per- #on shall be voted for, and the only proposition submitted shall be the recall of such’ official. Any personm recalled, ns provided in this see- tlon, shall be ineligible to fill the vacancy «caused by his recall.” + ] PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The pure pone of this amendment is to enable a certain mumber of voters to petitiem: and cause to be submitted to a vote the question of removing from office any elective or appointive public oficial. ! ELEVENTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT The eleventh proposed améndment is contained in Chapter 594 of the 'Laws of Minpesota for the year 1913. amehdment it In proposed te entirely mew section to Article ® of the Constitut to be known as Section 18, WIII('! shall read as followss “Section 1. The following amend- ment to Article 9 of the Constitu- tion of the State of Minnesota is hereby proposed to_ the pets.a of the State for their approval ¥ir re- jection, which amendment, if ap- proved, shall be kM®own as Section 18 of Article 9 of the Constitution and shall read as follows: ‘“‘Section 18. Laws may be en- acted providing for the taxation of dogs on a basis other than the value of the dog, and from the fund derived from such tax, authorizing pavment of the damagss sus- % tained by the owners of ¢ %or dom- estic animals by reason of injuries x caused by dogs.” PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The pres- ent hasis for taxing dogws Is upon actual wnlue. The proposed amemndment, it adopted. will permit the Legislature te exnct laws changing this basis. Tt e proposed to eresto a fund out of whieh owners of domestic animsis may be Fe- imbursed for loss sustained by reasem of injuries caused by dogs. s X - Yours respectfully, LYNDON A. SMITH, Attorney. Generak : . St. Paul, May 6, 1916 Mr. Julius A. Schmahl, Secretayy of State. Dear Sir: Referring to proposed Cean stitutional Amendment No. 4 wonld says An state expert printer I have siven the publications iavoived this proposed amendment thought, and am ot opinion-both these publications are em~ tirely superfluous. The exteasive am- mual publication “in a daily mewspapes blisked at the eapital city” attracts 2 3 absolutely o attention. The annusl re- ‘port of the state treasurer is published in book form, mmd fo mn extemt that makes it ‘easy for -every persem speeial- 1y comcermed to secure & anyy. To com~ form sgrietly with the law ss it s at present, means fhe expendifure, under n-u-fiy favorable printing contraets, of_approximsately $8,000, a sum whieh /- can be used to excellent advantage um- the greatest eare and ecomomy upen the : 27 g