Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-10-22
TO the PEOPLE.

Stituuon 1S Me Best
Ever Framed
Its Taxation Clauses Compared
With the Taxation Clauses
OF other Constitutions.
IAaIroa. B. T., Oct. u isss.
To tho People Of Dakota:
A naneless and fatherless circular has
been sent broadcast over Southern
Dakota. No one admits il authorship;
no ono 10 responsible for its issue. Such
. document does not deserve the notice
Of reply. but ~ anonymous articles are
always more or less dangerous, according
ss their author is, - he can always be,
in his statements, we deem
it the duty OF the executive committee to
examine this remarkable paper and see
what it says. and, whatever its parentage,
whether it be in fact edited and issued
by nonresident of our territory-sent
here by our enemies and aided and -.
sisted by outside money and influence,
as it is claimed. or by any other enemy
of the constitution, there is no mistak.
ing its purpose. The finger Of the dem
agogue is apparent in every line. Its
very head lines condemn it. It's language
appeals to the passions and prejudioee
Of the people. It seizes upon subject
upon which the people are easily excited
aud seeks to overcome their reason and
judgment by working upon their weak
nesses and preludices.
What are the facts upon which these
startling head lines are based?
'THH SIOUX FALLS CONVENTION HAS
DECLARED IN FAVOR OF MoNIKD COR.
PoRAr1oNs."-"rHEP PROPOSED ooSsr1Tu.
TON FRAMED no SUIT RAILROADS AS TO
ASSESSMENT OF TA1Es."-"FARMERs
MECHANICS AND LABORIN0 MEN, voTR
AaAINsT THIS UBIQUITOUS OONsTITU.
TIoy."
What are these remarkable provisions
Of the constitution that are in favor Of
'monied corporations" and are framed
to suit raiiroads"2 The constitution has
no claims to originality. It is compila-
ton Of the best sections Of all constitu.
tions Of the several states. The constl.
tuition a every state was in the conven.
ton and corresponding provisions in
ether ststss were mot only examined and
oonpassd In committee but were con.
suited and read in opsn convention that
the judgment Of oil might be taken upor
the provisions most suited to our new
state. The convention being one of the
people not called under the forms OF Law
did not feel il would be proper to try
experiments and insert new and uncon
strued provisions in . fundamental
Law which must not only be submitted
to the people for their approval but t
the acuts analysis and criticism Of con
gres. Every material line and section
then OF our constitution will be found il
tie laws Of the later and more moderl
constitutions Of the states.
To be entirely frank with the peopl,
and that they may be entirely advises
upon this question We herewith prln
the sections in each OF the constitution
Of all the states of this union correspond
ing 70 the ono Of which complaint j
made, aud shall ask you 70 read then
carefully, and then say, il this constitu
tion "framsd to favor railroads"? Il
in "favorof monied corporations"
Our section is As follows:
Section 4. Tie legislature shall pre-
lsvying tax by valuation, % that ever
in proportion to the value Of his, her. G
its property. such value to be ascertain
ed and 6xed in such manner ~ the leei
lature shall direct by general lsws; sue
laws to be uniform, - to the classes {
property or SUBJECTS upon which tue
operate.
The Illinois section is q follows:
/ The general assembly shall pr,
vide such revenue as may /
neodful BY levying tag by valu
tion. 40 that every person and co
porstion shall pay tax in proportion
tho value of his, her, or its piopert,
such value 70 be ascertained by son
person or persons to be elected or al
pointed in such manner a. the gener
assembly shall direct and not other wis
II willbe seen that the first part of Il
seotionSis identical with ous-compa
now the last parts Of the two sections.
II Illinois says: "Such value to be a
osrtainsd BY some person or persons
Ibe elected or appointed in snch mann
= The general assembly shall direct Al
] mot otherwise"
Oau says: ''Such value to be asce
taiasd and hxed in such manner as Il
legislature shall direct by general Law
Such laws to be uniform ~ to the class
oi property or subjects upon which Thu
opsesas.'
Viii any candid man read these Ia
, tvo claases and not say our provision
y better than that Of nlinois. lliins